HAMILTON CITY >> The class of 2014 at Hamilton High School are a tight-knit group who spent the last four years learning, laughing and sometimes having a laugh at one another.
Makaila Adams and Theron Fumasi were asked to share a bit about the history of the class with some of the stories and inside jokes perhaps only the students, and maybe some teachers, understood.
One student "ditched Miss Anderson's class," and received detention. As a senior, the student ditched class again, and again received detention, the students said.
"Danny thought that senior ditch day was the week before," the two continued.
Another student, Tim Bekendam, was remembered for never bringing food from home and always wanting to go to lunch.
They also mentioned Mr. (Kelly) Langan, who often had two or four or more students hanging out in his office.
Principal Cris Oseguera agreed the class had spirit. The 50-plus graduates put in more than 1,100 hours of community service. They also put in "250 hours of detention," Oseguera said.
He said the phrase he would remember from the class of 2014 would be "Don't worry, I got this."
The commencement ceremony was held at the edge of the Hamilton High football field, with the bleachers filled with parents, grandparents and friends, many who had large bouquets of mylar balloons. Because the day had peaked at 100 degrees, staff placed a bottle of cool water at each chair before the graduates walked past the crowd in their royal blue graduation gowns.
Teachers Hogan Brown and Ellese Mello were chosen by the students to say a few words on the night of graduation.
Brown said this particular class of students caused him to "laugh uncontrollably," as well as "want to punch a hole in a wall." Yet, there are bonds that are "forged through ups and downs."
Mello told students there are successful people who aren't happy and happy people who are not successful. She urged students to seek happiness.
Kristian Diaz earned a 4.16 grade point average and has been accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles. During her valedictorian speech, she said attending a small school had many advantages. Students had a chance to participate in sports, whereas at a larger campus membership on teams would have been more competitive. This allowed people to "develop passions and find a niche," and build upon character traits that will serve the young adults in the future.
Participating in school activities teaches students how to prioritize their time, she said.
Contact reporter Heather Hacking at 896-7758.