A Knights legacy – Class of 2024 graduates

And just like that, senior year was over for the Mission Collegiate High School class of 2024. 

About 100 students received their diplomas at the May 25 commencement ceremony, 37 of which also graduated with an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

 

Throughout the ceremony, the students reminisced on their educational careers and the efforts that got them to this point. 

 

“We have been through a lot in these four years of high school. We went through sleepless nights, studying for a test or turning in an assignment — procrastinating, even — hanging out with friends and having fun along the way,” third-ranked student Samantha Yanez said.

 

Salutatorian Sebastian Ruizsoriano, a self-proclaimed military brat, explained that his four years at Mission Collegiate was the longest he spent in any one school. He described the constant moving and meeting new people as a whirlwind experience that taught him valuable lessons like the meaning of friendship and hard work. But the most important lessons he learned were about gratitude and true legacy. 

 

“True legacy is the impact you leave on others,” he said. “Each human, regardless of who you are, gets to live on eternally through the impact they’ve made on others. At the end of the day, just know what matters most in life and be thankful for every person in it.” 

 

His parting message to his peers centered on the same sentiment.

 

“Just be thankful,” he said. “Always make sure that the people around you know how much you mean to them. Always take the opportunity to tell a person you love them because you never know how much time you still have with them.” 

 

Valedictorian Ricardo Ochoa III spoke on the importance of finding community and taking chances. 

 

As a transfer student and an introvert, the valedictorian said transitioning to his new life at Mission Collegiate was difficult because he felt he didn’t belong until he stepped out of his comfort zone. 

 

“Fully being myself in UIL clubs gave me the confidence to finally connect with my peers and allowed me to transform into a leader and a mentor — something that seemed impossible to me just a few years ago,” he said. “I’m so glad that I bit the bullet and took the chance to quit hiding and to put myself out there and face the world head-on.” 

 

Ochoa reminded his peers that they would miss the familiar feeling of Mission Collegiate and its people. He challenged and encouraged the grads to find their community and passions as they move into “the real world.”

 

“Give of yourself in service to others, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have,” the valedictorian said. “If you can do these things, you all will have no problem becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

 

Before the graduates departed from the arena with their diplomas, they were reminded of all the moments they’ll miss from their alma mater. From the sound of an empty water bottle being crushed to the good mornings and gentle warnings, the graduates leave it all behind to start anew.

 

“As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your lives, know that you are ready,” Principal Ana Lisa Flores said to the graduates. “You’ve been equipped with the knowledge, the skills and the confidence to pursue your dreams and make a difference in the world.”