San Rafael Junior High presented their closing exercises on May 24. Principal Doug Mecham introduced the students and presented them with their certificate of completion.
The ninth grade class of 2016’s theme was, “We are the dreamers of tomorrow.”
Jesse Braun welcomed the audience to the program. He said there were many of the ninth grade students who participated at Emery High in sports. There were 13 students with 4.0 grade point averages in all three years at San Rafael.
Each of the honor students gave a short address.
Ethan Anderson thanked his friends for their great support. He encouraged everyone to stick to a task until they master it. Believe in yourself. He thanked his family for standing by him. You can accomplish anything in life.
Bailey Huggard said playing sports at San Rafael was one of the highlights of her years. With sports you need to give 100 percent all the time. Sports taught her to win. It’s tough to get good grades and play sports. Sometimes the only time to do homework is 11 at night. With sports you need to set goals. Every sports season she would think about what she wanted to achieve and write that goal down. Vincient Lambardi said it’s OK to fall down as long as you get up.
“Learn to manage your time wisely. If you’re a member of a team, they rely on you and you rely on the team. Sports can shape you into who you are. Be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else,” said Huggard.
Kacelyn Toomer said you need to get all the education you can when you are young. School might not be your favorite but work hard. She thanked her friends and family for their support. In sports they have strived hard to take their game to a higher level.
“I want to thank all the people who have taught me to be a successful player,” said Kacelyn.
Hannah Morris played “Power Play” on the piano.
Tia Hulse said over the years she’s been taught many things about science, health, and in foods, that food tastes better if it’s not burnt. It’s all been very educational. “Be the best you can be, even if you’re not perfect. It was my friends that got me out of bed to come to school, I am going to miss not seeing my friends every day and I’m going to miss the teachers. Thank you for my journey,” said Hulse.
Megan Jensen said she has enjoyed her time playing with the traveling team the Utah Stars. She said they are among the best players in the state and she was one of the worst players and she learned a lot from them. I know I can do better, you have to push yourself. I want to thank the teachers and coaches. We played on the varsity team and worked harder to improve. Here we come Emery High.
Kinlee Toomer spoke about setting goals. The class is moving on from ninth grade and it’s time to strive to meet the next goal. One of her goals was to keep a 4.0 in junior high and she would like to do that through high school as well. “Work hard and take the time to perfect your goals. One of my goals is to win a state basketball championship while in high school. This will take hours in the gym working to improve. The team and I set smaller goals to work on first. I want to thank all of the people who have helped me achieve.”
Alexis Johansen thanked everyone for helping her to progress. She works to be positive through all the challenges. Challenges are opportunities to grow. Leadership is a principle they have learned. Be the best you can be. Be kind to others and lift them up. Have a positive attitude. Lift yourself first so you can lift others. Be excited about what you can become.
The ninth grade choir members sang “Irish Friendship Wish.”
Daijah Jorgensen said we make choices every day. Her elementary principal used to say, you can decide to make it a good day or a bad day. It’s all in the attitude. Your attitude is the only thing you can change. It’s like a flat tire, you can’t go anywhere unless you change it. If you have positive thoughts in life you can expect a positive outcome.
McKay Meccariello congratulated all the ninth graders on making it this far. Every day they have the opportunity to make choices. Choices that will decide who and what we will become. Don’t worry about being perfect, just be yourself. It takes a dream to get started, it takes a desire to finish. It’s never too late to start over. Surround yourself with people who love you and know you’re not perfect and love you anyway.
Brock Winter said in elementary school he got As and Bs. His dad told him he had to get good grades to play soccer. “In seventh grade I worked hard to be able to get all As. I discovered it’s not that bad. It was really fun. If I get good grades then I don’t have to worry about not driving or not playing soccer. I learned to play soccer in college, the coaches will look at a player who may not be as good, but gets good grades. When you get older you can put it on job applications or college entrance forms, it’s really important,” said Winter.
Walker Woolsey confirmed what everyone had been thinking that the class of 2016 from San Rafael Junior High was the best looking ever. “We have finally finished junior high and will move onto high school. When Charles Dickens said, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, he was probably talking about junior high. We have grown and matured and become a little more independent. We still have more growing to do. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Greatness is within the grasp of each of us. Average people can achieve greatness. Leave a legacy. Leave those you come into contact with a little happier. As we depart San Rafael and head to Emery High, remember to be kind,” said Woolsey.
Principal Doug Mecham presented a high school diploma to Melvin Gilbert’s family. He was the veteran who the students of SRJH raised money to help send on the honor flight. He left for the war before he received his high school diploma. Mr. Gilbert who teaches at San Rafael and his father Ken accepted the diploma.
The straight A students seventh-ninth grade and their parents were honored. The outstanding students in each of the departments were recognized.
San Rafael Junior High closing program
"The ninth grade students perform a dance."