Whitmore Charter High School produced a small class of graduating seniors who received their diplomas on Tuesday, June 2 inside the Central Valley High School multi-room room.
Valedictorian Layla Rios delivered an address in which she stated she was terrified to know that earning the top spot in the class meant delivering a graduation speech. But she said “that fear made me realize something important. Some of the best things in life come with fear attached to them. Fear has a way of making us doubt ourselves before important moments. It tells us to stay comfortable, to stay quiet, and to avoid taking risks.”
She also noted that if we always give in to fear, “we miss opportunities that could change our lives.”
“I think many of us are feeling a mix of emotions right now. We’re excited for what’s ahead, but we’re also nervous. In a few months, many of us will be in unfamiliar places, meeting new people, and trying to figure out who we want to become. And that uncertainty can be scary.
But throughout high school, we’ve already proven that we are capable of stepping into the unknown. Four years ago, when we first walked onto campus, graduation felt impossibly far away. Back then, these four years seemed like they would last forever. Yet, here we are. And now that we’ve finally reached this moment, I think many of us are realizing how quickly time actually moves.
“A few weeks ago, after prom, I was driving back with my friends when it suddenly hit me that our time here is almost over. It wasn’t during prom itself or during some huge milestone moment. It was during the small things, sitting in the car, laughing, talking, listening to music knowing that moments like that wouldn’t last forever.
I think that’s something high school has taught us. We often think of time passing in big events, homecoming, winter break, spring break, prom, graduation. We focus so much on reaching those milestones that we forget to appreciate the smaller moments happening in between. The conversations before class starts. Walking through campus with friends. The uncontrollable laughter during lunch. The ordinary moments that never seemed important at the time, but somehow become the memories we miss the most.
“As we move forward into this next chapter of our lives, I hope we remember two things.
“First, cherish the small moments. Life is not made up only of huge achievements and milestones. Sometimes the moments that matter most are the ones we never planned for.
“And second, don’t let fear stop you from doing what you know is good for you. Whether it’s taking opportunities, meeting new people, pursuing goals, or stepping outside your comfort zone, fear will always be present. But courage does not mean being fearless, it means moving forward anyway.
“Class of 2026, we are leaving this place with so much potential ahead of us. Even though we may not know exactly what comes next, I know we are capable of incredible things. So as we leave here today, I hope we choose growth over comfort, opportunities over fear, and gratitude for both the big moments and the small ones.
Salutatorian Johanna Flores’ address went as follows:
“Good evening, friends, family, and faculty. I am proud to say that I have finished my high school grades successfully. From my arduous tasks on getting all of my assignments and exams turned in, to the tediousness of the AP exams, to the pressures of the AWR forms needing to be turned in. But, it was all worth it in the end. I now expect myself to work harder towards university for 4 years, and hope that I maintain the same efforts I did in high school.
“It is with pleasure to say that, after four years of being in high school, and 13 years of being in school, from kindergarten to high school, I congratulate everyone for pulling through! I know it wasn’t easy to get all those assignments turned in on time, and I know it wasn’t easy to make yourself pull through the school year if you have personal stuff in your life going on. But, you have all made it, and that’s what matters most.
“I appreciate the school having fun events and locations to go into, to make the school years feel more bearable. My favorite part was the HERO store, as I loved to earn my hero points for just participating in school, and get a snack after having enough points to purchase one. I believe all of us high schoolers appreciated it too, as I often see a flock of students going to the high school office during free hours to get a piece of candy or noodles.
“I would like to thank my friends for sticking with me from the beginning of the high school year, when I was a freshman. I appreciate all of the fun times I had, all of the laughs, giggles, tears, adventure, everything. It really made the school days feel all the better with every one of you. I want to give my thanks to faculty and staff, especially the teachers, for making learning fun and accessible. My favorite were the little parties being hosted in the AP Language and Literature classroom. They’re like little awards after being done reading the books assigned to us students in it – doing the assignments revolving around it. It makes reading all the more worth it. I especially want to thank my Spanish teacher for being able to teach me Spanish back when I couldn’t speak it at all and when I used to feel embarrassed about it – who was the one who really encouraged me to speak it more. I also want to especially give my thanks to my drama teacherwho I know heard what I said after my performance at the RicPac Center, so I will say it again – for giving me the chance to act and perform in front of an audience, to get a better chance at having the confidence to make a speech for the audience like what I am doing right now.
“And finally, I want to give my thanks to my parents for supporting me through all of the years, and will continue to do so when I get to university. I always appreciate their assistance if I am struggling on an assignment..”
Steve Merchant, principal of Whitmore Charter High School, left the class with some encouragement and praise.
“As I look at this class, I see many faces I’ve known by name since your freshman year. In a school of our size, there is no hiding in the back of a classroom,” Merchant joked. “You have been seen, you have been heard, and tonight, you are celebrated.
“Graduates, take a look at the people sitting beside you. In a few days, they will no longer be your classmates. But they will always be the people who have shared your triumphs, helped you through the long nights of studying, and become a second family. You have built a community at Whitmore Charter that most people spend a lifetime searching for.
“At our school, we have always aimed to be more than a building where you learn math and english. Our teachers have worked hard to teach you how to learn, and how to critically think about important questions. Tonight, we aren’t just handing out diplomas; we are launching the next generation of innovators, creators, and changemakers.
“Over these last four years, I have watched you change, transform even. I’ve seen a shy student who reluctantly spoke to peers or adults grow into a confident, charitable person who constantly gives her time to help others. I’ve watched others bring the stage to life with performances and music that showed talents that make you special. Whether you were perfecting the layout of the yearbook to capture our history or organizing the rallies, you weren’t just completing a task, you were bringing life to our campus. You didn’t just attend Whitmore Charter, you ARE Whitmore Charter.
“Now, you stand at the edge of a new horizon. Whether your next step takes you to a university campus, a trade school workshop, the front lines of the workforce, or a journey across the globe, remember this: your education here has given you a rare advantage. You know how to collaborate. You know how to be a leader in a small group. You know that your voice matters.
“As you prepare to leave Whitmore, my hope for you is that you find a worthy problem to solve. That you make yourself, and those around you better in your pursuit. I challenge you to be curious, be resilient and be the person who notices others, just as you were noticed here.”
He also said: “Be a force for good. And the force be with you.”
