Gallup Catholic seniors graduate Thursday

Gallup Catholic graduates laugh, dry, and cheer while watching the graduation slide show during the Class of 2007 Graduation Ceremony at the El Morro Theater on Thursday evening. Twenty students graduated from Gallup Catholic this year. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

By Zsombor Peter
Staff Writer

GALLUP — El Morro Theater proved a more appropriate venue for the graduating class of Gallup Catholic School Thursday evening than the cavernous Gallup High auditorium the school chose last year. The smaller space emphasized one of the defining traits of thes chool: as one of the smallest high schools in the city, it's also one of the most intimate.

The point was made clear throughout the graduation ceremony as staff and students shared personal anecdotes about each other that would have been lost on many at a larger school. That everyone got each joke was a sign of how much they all shared.

Ruth Roberts, the class's advanced placement English teacher, drove the point home, recounting the endearing traits of each of the 20 graduates one by one. But she also took the time to address the class collectively.

"One of my greatest pleasures was walking into class when they didn't want to be there," she teased. But that wasn't quite true, she conceded. Five minutes into most any lesson, she said, "their eyes would begin to light up. They couldn't help it. They loved to learn."

And she left them with a few words of advice.

"Live each moment," she told the class, seated in front of the stage in their emerald green caps and gowns. "Learn everything you can. And love with all your heart. Congratulations, Class of 2007."

Salutatorian Adrian Sandoval advised his fellow graduates not to dwell on past mistakes.

"Live your life without regrets, because nothing is accomplished by worrying about what was done," he told them.

But Alex Guimaraes, the class's valedictorian, cautioned them not to leave everything behind, either.The class had gone through a lot, the said, and accomplished much.

"But none of this would have been possible without the support of our teachers, family and friends," he said. "Whatever paths we choose, we will not be alone."

"Congratulations," Guimaraes told the class. "Let's party."

The graduating class included: Charles Chavez, Brandon Estrada, Sonya Gomez, Alex Guimaraes, Stephen Puente-Jochem, Vanessa John, Jenifer Linville, Justeene Lopez, Jude Martinez, Kelly Mason, George Marcado, Fabio Pagiarullo, Mary Ponce, Adrian Sandoval, Mitchell Seaggari, Brittany St. John, Lindsay Tarro, Derek Toledo, Christopher Weaver, and Stephanie Womble.