There was much to celebrate as hundreds gathered at Durango High School on Friday to cheer on the 2024 graduating class.
In addition to the academic achievements graduates are recognized for every year, DHS students propelled the high school into the top 10% of high schools across the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
DHS ranked No. 1,906 out of 17,655 high schools in the nation, Durango School District 9-R announced earlier this month.
DHS Principal Jon Hoerl said the Demons’ Class of 2024 experienced the full spectrum of classes during COVID-19, including full days, half days, remote days and hybrid schedules, and “re-created high school.”
DHS is closer than ever before to being a top high school in the state of Colorado, he said.
“High school serves as a unique steppingstone to adulthood,” said Ethan McGuinness, one of several graduating students chosen by his peers to speak Friday. “What matters in high school is learning what you want to do with the rest of your life.”
He told his classmates to find the spark that ignites their passion and to hold onto it, “because you truly never know where it will lead you.”
Fifteen DHS students and one Big Picture High School student were also among the first students in the state to receive Seal of Climate Literacy diplomas.
The novel diploma was created by state Senate Bill 24-014, sponsored by Sen. Chris Hansen and Rep. Barbara McLachlan.
The law allows Colorado school districts and other educators to offer diplomas that recognize “students who have achieved climate literacy by completing a high school science class and another course that touch on issues related to climate change, combined with hands-on experiential learning,” according to Durango 9-R.
Two hundred eighty-five students graduated Friday, with 82 of them achieving a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher, 9-R spokeswoman Karla Sluis said before the ceremony.
Graduate Sora Pearson said on Friday that the highlight of her senior year was when the Durango High School Troupe 96 theater group received nominations for best overall production, best direction, best music direction and best choreography for its production of “Urinetown.”
“It was just so collaborative, and I got to work with all of my friends and I just think that the arts program at DHS is really – I’m going to be sad to miss it, sad to see it go as I leave because it’s just such a wonderful experience,” she said. “Everyone cares so much and it’s so nice to find like-minded people.”
Pearson said she will attend Brown University in Rhode Island. She plans to dual major in astrophysics and theater and performing arts.
She said she’s always loved science, and a career in a scientific field seems more viable than one in theater, but she has to follow her passion for theater, too.
“I’m really excited to go to college. I enjoyed high school, but I’m really excited to branch out and kind of go to a place that might have a few more opportunities than Durango has,” she said.
Ahead of the big night Friday, graduating seniors paraded down a red carpet Thursday at Escalante Middle School in a “Walk Stars” event, a new celebration at 9-R that gives graduating students the chance to revisit their past and younger students an inspirational glimpse into their future.
Big Picture High School students performed their graduation walk Thursday evening at Rotary Park.
At the Walk Star event, graduating senior and 2023-24 homecoming king Kaleb Roberts said it was weird but great to revisit Escalante Middle School, which he attended in sixth through eighth grades.
“I’m feeling great. This is awesome. Student Council put this on this year,” he said “It’s a great honor to be encouraged by the teachers and our fellow students.”
Roberts, who will start college at Colorado School of Mines this fall, said being named homecoming king is a standout memory of his senior year.
“All the support I got from students at DHS and from the community as well, that was awesome,” he said.
cburney@durangoherald.com
