Thatcher High School’s two valedictorians, Dallin Christensen and Joel Wright, and salutatorian Dallin Lauritzen spoke of memories and the future during the May 23 graduation ceremony in the Thatcher High School gymnasium.

A total of 96 Thatcher seniors received their diplomas.

The traditional outdoor ceremony on the Eastern Arizona College football field was moved to the high school gym when inclement weather arrived in the Gila Valley last week.

Thatcher students are ready to face new challenges after graduating high school Friday night. See Page B1 for more Valley graduation photos. Photo by Brian Wright

In his speech, Christensen recapped a few high school events, and he advised his fellow graduates to “go for it” and not be afraid of failure. The graduates should also show gratitude, he said.

Wright talked about memories in and out of school. He also spoke about looking to the future and the importance of service.

Lauritzen, the salutatorian, said as members of the class of 2008 move on to the next stage of their lives they will again be “at the bottom of the food chain.”

He reminded his classmates that the world is much bigger than Thatcher, however, this year’s graduates are ready “to take on the world.”

Prior to the graduation ceremony, the class leaders talked about their individual plans. All three plan to go to college and to serve LDS missions.

Each one has his own special memories of high school. Wright recalled Thatcher winning the state football championship his junior year and the Future Business Leaders of America competitions.

“(It was) the experience as a whole – the assemblies, the bonfires, Friday nights,” he said.

Christensen said he will miss the sports and the people at Thatcher High. He added his favorite classes were biology and leadership.

Lauritzen liked his high school experience at Thatcher.

“Even though it’s a small school, you have the clubs and the social activities,” he said.