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Durango graduates celebrate

205 students earn diplomas at DHS

The motto of Durango High School’s 2015 graduating class comes from actor Robin Williams: “You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

Social studies teacher Kurt Zainer said Friday’s 205 graduates possess that spark.

“They are unique, diversely talented and super creative,” Zainer said. “I had a very strong relationship with them from their freshman year, from freshman honors studies through college planning.”

In his formal address to the graduates, Zainer said: “You guys just killed this high school thing. Well done, and congratulations.

“Thank you for sharing your successes, your insightful questions, your intricate thinking, your creative solutions,” said Zainer, who students chose as the faculty speaker. “Thank you for proving you have grit and such a good-hearted passion for life.”

New York rapper Dylan Owen, only a few years older than the toga-clad graduates, was an apparent unexpected guest, invited by the graduating class.

Owen related how he flew to the West Coast only to lose a major recording contract, one of his childhood goals. He returned to New York to pick up his career and find success and happiness.

His message was not to let initial failure determine the remainder of one’s life. Pick up the pieces and build something else, he said.

Instead of hearing from valedictorians, salutatorians or keynote speakers, DHS allows the graduating class to select a faculty speaker, a student speaker and a speaker from among 4.0 GPA graduates.

There were 25 seniors this year who had a 4.0 GPA through four years. Two spoke Friday.

Katelyn Craig, who will study musical theater at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, spoke of the mutual support she encountered among students, parents and teachers but particularly of the bond among those interested in theater who often didn’t leave school on rehearsal nights until 11 p.m.

The support will remain, she said, but each graduate has individual challenges.

“Your mountain is waiting,” she said. “So get on you way.”

Tessa Leeder, who will major in biology/pre-med at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, urged her fellow graduates not to be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes make us what we are, she said.

Children learn to accept life as it is, Leeder said. But the time comes to believe one can effect change, she said.

“Be curious, crazy and never stop exploring,” Leeder said. “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world will be the ones who do it.”

Zoe Larson, chosen as the class speaker, for the most part kept the moment humorous with one in-house joke after another.

Larson’s lightness included calling teacher Ed Cash to the podium to put her hands on his full, white beard.

daler@durangoherald.com



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