San Rafael ninth grade closing program

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

San Rafael’s ninth grade class held their closing program on May 23. This class will be the last ninth grade class to attend San Rafael. When school starts again in the fall there will be sixth, seventh and eighth grade attending the school in Ferron.
Taryn Allred, straight A student said the ninth grade students have been able to participate in high school volleyball, track, football, baseball, cross country, golf, swim, rodeo, soccer and many other activities. This class will achieve great things.
Jennifer Funk was a straight A student. She said she was able to participate in soccer and the swim team. She learned much about team work by playing soccer, you learn when to step up and kick and when to pass the ball to a fellow player.
She said in order to be stronger, you must learn to endure through the pain. “If you go in thinking, you will lose then you will. Push farther than you ever thought you could. We all have something to learn from sports.”
Straight A student Jace Jorgensen told about the benefits of having a positive attitude. He told the story of a 92 year old man who was moving into a rest home. The workers told him about his room. He said, “I love it.” Then they said well you haven’t seen it. He said it doesn’t matter, I will love it.
Happiness is something you decide. Decide to love it. Life is like a bank account, you have to deposit a lot of happiness. Don’t procrastinate. Keep a positive attitude. I want to thank our parents and teachers. If you have a great attitude, you can have a great day, great week, great year and that forms a great life.
Angellena Migliori, straight A student told the audience that words can have a powerful influence. Learn to like yourself. Success is never final. Have courage.
Brinn Urie, straight A student sang a song.
Ryleigh Morgan said, “I set a goal to get straight A grades. Always know with hard work anything is possible. Setting personal goals gives you a sense of direction. If you know where you want to go you will have a clear sense of direction. Setting goals and meeting them develops character. Have courage. Never give up on a goal whether it takes a month or a year. The harder I work the better I feel when I achieve the goal. Junior High has been a wonderful experience.
Katie Nelson said, “We’ve worked hard for three years to get where we are. There are bigger challenges ahead and the lessons we’ve learned will help us get through. We haven’t stood on our own, we have had teachers, parents, grandparents and people around us. Our parents have taught us to do our best, to do homework and develop good study skills. We’ve had friends and family help us get to where we are now.”
The ninth grade choir students sang a song. The straight A students were given trophies and were recognized along with their parents. Gage Crawford, Taryn Allred and Jessie Nicholson received science awards. Athlete awards went to Daeden Behling and Jaylee Brinkerhoff. An art award went to Jessie Nicholson and Kiri Cook, A family and consumer science award went to Ryleigh Morgan. Accelerated reader awards went to Jennifer Funk, Zac Anderson and Trace Funk. Most improved geography student went to Kaleb Turner. Geography awards went to Drake Weber, Jason Bennett, Korby Christiansen and Maryn Allred. Math student awards went to Jace Jorgensen and Taryn Allred. Language arts awards most improved went to Larry Jewkes, Marcus Giroux, outstanding language arts students went to Brett Olsen, Ashlynn Guymon, Brinn Urie, and Brianne Benson.
Principal Doug Mecham said he was pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate this class. He expressed appreciation to the staff at San Rafael. He said as the students were recognized he saw smiles of pride for the students and also some tears.
“Educators touch the lives of the students forever and the students touch the lives of the educators as well. It’s a lot of blood sweat and tears to get through school. It’s great to see the students progress.
“This is the final ninth grade class of San Rafael. “As you continue your education at Emery High choose to move forward. Moving forward is a choice. Move on, don’t just let things happen. Move forward and make it happen. We look forward to the great things you will do at Emery High and with your lives,” said Principal Mecham.