If the top students in Wendover High School’s class of 2015 shared memories of the school as though they were family, that’s because they are.
The 30 WHS graduates were lead across the stage of the Peppermill Concert Hall on Tuesday evening by valedictorian Vanessa Cuevas and salutatorian Jessica Cuevas — both twin sisters.
The sisters addressed the class and reminisced about their class achievements, the teachers who helped them along the way, and fond memories they had made with their fellow graduating seniors, according to Tammy Wadsworth, Wendover High School secretary.
The twins also spoke powerfully about the importance of pursuing and achieving their goals, Wadsworth said.
The student speakers were joined by guest addresses by Alex Jeppson, a former Wendover High School teacher, and Dale Higley, a current teacher who will retire this year. Higley’s son, Dale Higley, Jr., walked during the ceremony and read the introduction for his father.
The graduation ceremony also featured Wendover High School’s traditional senior class slide show, and a flute solo by Kate Henderson with accompanist Alan Rowley.
Shaunnae Bateman, Jessica Cuevas, Vanessa Cuevas, and Jasmine Maldonado all graduated with high academic honors.
Blas Aguirre, Jr., Minerva Daum, Dale Higley, Jr., William Connor Kennedy, Jaqueline Luna, Jasmin Mendoza, Kyler Bryan Murphy, Angelica Serna, Landyn Gerald Shepherd, Jerica LaRae Solt and Damion Valadez graduated with academic honors.
Jesus Barboza, Dallan Bateman, Shaunnae Bateman, Jonathan Botello, Evelyn Carrillo, Ruben Chavez, Yulisa Chavez, Steven Gallo, Valeria Gomez, Estefania Gonzalez, Erik Guevara, Nicolas Herrera, Jose Juarez, German Hernandez Ramos, Salvador Rivera and Julissa Santiago rounded out the WHS class of 2015.
This year’s class also stood out for the amount of scholarship funds they raised to pursue further education. The graduating seniors claimed a combined total of more than $100,000 in scholarship funds, which were announced at a May 18 awards ceremony.