A packed stadium for Thomas Jefferson ceremonies

Thomas Jefferson Middle School was the first of three Wasco schools to hold its annual graduation ceremony on May 23 at 7 p.m. on the football field.

Wasco High School's football field began filling up at least an hour before beginning its eighth-grade graduation ceremony for 323 students.

Cars lined nearby streets and filled the high school parking lots as swarms of people entered the gates for the ceremony. Both sides of the bleachers were filled.

Superintendent Kelly Richers welcomed everyone to the last time the district will only have one middle school graduation ceremony.

"Next year, there will be two middle school graduation ceremonies in Wasco with TJ and Palm Avenue Middle School," Richers said. "Wasco is growing and the students are a part of that."

Student Body President Cameron Dangerfield led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Richers welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony.

Assistant Superintendent David Bowling presented Julie Grundt with the valedictorian stole.

Assistant Superintendent David Bowling announced that Omar Raya Lopez had the highest GPA of the graduates.

Grundt addressed her fellow classmates by first recognizing how TJ helped every student transition from junior high to high school.

"Tonight we acknowledge how our choices affect our futures," Grundt said. "Our choices from the beginning of school have shaped our middle school experience."

She continued by stating that what her fellow students chose to do with their time regarding grades, classwork and homework, determined whether they would succeed, and the proof is that they did because they are graduating.

She also mentioned several students participated in the Science Fair, History Day, Battle of the Books, Math Team and many other activities that helped everyone grow as students.

She closed with some words by Harry Potter Author J. K. Rowling: "It is our choices ... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

President of the Board of Trustees Danny Rueda introduced the board of trustees as follows: Clerk Richard Reding, member Anna Poggi, Luis Fernandez and Cheryl Wegman.

Principal of TJMS Danny Arellano presented the Class of 2019 to the attendees by name.

Arellano told the graduates he was grateful for the support and incredible commitment parents, students and staff.

"Class of 2019, as you move on to high school, continue to strive for excellence, believe in yourself and surround yourself with people you trust," Arellano said. "Live every day and thank someone who has been instrumental in your success and set some goals for yourself – for example, matter in someone's life, believe in the power of the little word YET (or not yet) and plan to walk across this stage to receive your high school diploma in four years."

Assistant Principal Zachery Ellis announced the honors' students. These students either had a **, which means they earned a 4.00-4.57 GPA, names with * had a 3.5-3.99 GPA and names with a + were AVID Program graduates. AVID is for Advancement Via Individual Determination and is a program designed to help underachieving students with high academic potential prepare for entrance to colleges and universities.

The following students were recognized as one of the above: Acosta, Carlos**, Acosta, Cesar+, Acosta-Flores, Sheri+, Adamak, Joshua**, Aguerria, David*+, Aguilar, Sebastian+, Almanza Vera, Denisse+, Almazan, Leslie+, Amador, Carlos*, Anaya Parra, Yennifer**+, Andres Ruiz, Casey*+, Arellano, Savannah**, Armenta, Alfredo*+, Arrazate Jacobo, Brianna*+, Ayala Guzman, Samantha+, Bailey, Chesney*+, Barboza, Genesis*, Barrera, Jocelyn**, Barrios, Ramon*, Benitez, Jazmin+, Bravo, Jesse+, Burgos, Jose+, Campoa Plata, Ashley*, Canales Uribe, Oscar*+, Carranza, Yoselin*, Casablanca Lopez, Amy*, Castellon, Lisa+, Castillo, Alexis+, Castillo, Johnny+, Castro, Angel*+, Castro, Jiomara*+, Cavazos, Mayeli*, Contrares Alvarado, Luz Belen*, Cortes Perez, Dulce*, Cruz Joachin, Andrea+, Davila, Andrew+, De La Cruz Brambila, Jennifer*, Derington, Hannah*, Dopminguez, Kassandra**, Duran, Emilio*, Echeverria Aispuro, Julieta*, Estrada, D'Alessio+, Ferreyra, Jonathan*+, Garcia Jimenez, Garcia Lopez, Brandon+, Garcia Navarro, Ilse Patricia*, Garcia, Alexis**+, Garcia, Juan+, Garza, Noah*, Gomez, Ruben+, Gonzales, Haley+, Gonzalez, Yaquelin+, Grundt, Jalie**, Guerra Coronado, Allysine+, Gurrola, Natali+, Gutierrez, Alexis**+, Gutierrez, Destinee*+, Harrison, Ermiah*+, Harrison, Ermiah*+, Harrison, Percayis**, Hernandez, Valerie**, Jackson, Daphene*+, Juarez, Izaiah*, Landois, Nayeli+, Leon Negrete, Esmeralda*, Limon Santiago, Dayana**, Lopez Lopez, Bella*, Lopez Raya, Omar**, Lopez Robledo, Rosaura**, Lopez, Enevy*, Lowe, Kaleb*, Lule, Jacobo+, Maldonado, Alyssa*, Manzo, Desiree*+, Manzo, Desiree*+, Martinez Diaz, Evelyn**, Martinez, Roberta*, Medina Vasquez, Nicole+, M