Jimmy Carter Early College celebrates commencement with new tradition

Saturday, Jimmy Carter Early College High School celebrated their graduation class and included a new tradition for family members and loved ones.

Principal Claudia Gomez Perez acted as master of ceremonies, a pre-recorded video congratulating the graduating class shown on the Bert Ogden Arena screens.

“As you stand at the threshold of new beginnings, let us take a moment to reflect on the journey that has led us to this significant milestone,” said Perez. “After time at Carter, you have embodied the virtues of perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline, and excellence.”

She continued.

“Your future is bright, and the world awaits your boundless potential,” Perez said. “Go Red Wolves!”

Guest speakers Jimmy Carter ECHS Class President, Salutatorian, and Valedictorian left their peers with words of dignity, encouragement, and nostalgia.

“Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for – the day where we close a major chapter of our lives to enter the next,” said Jimmy Carter Senior Class President Karyme G. Longoria. “It seems as if it was just yesterday when we were all raking our last first day of class photos, so excited to create all the senior year memories we possibly could. Here we are, nine months later, all together one last time, to celebrate our last milestone as a Red Wolf before we part ways.”

Melanie Aguilar, Salutatorian, focused on how far the class had grown from starting as a freshman during the COVID-19 era to a senior year where students got out of their shells.

“We might have struggled a bit during our freshman year in building connections with each other, so our sophomore year was filled with fear and new experiences,” she said.

But as years passed, the class of 2024 gained their voice.

“Now, in our last year, I have witnessed ourselves grow,” she said. “We are not the same shy, scared sophomores we used to be. We have become confident seniors ready to take on any challenge.”

Lastly, Valedictorian Jesus Menchaca opened his address with a reflection for his peers.

“Today, I want to dedicate this time to pure, honest reflection,” he said. “Over the course of four years at Jimmy Carter, together we have learned much. Either we saw or experienced the start of friendships, the loss of friend groups, new teachers almost every year, our first college courses and so much more.”

Menchaca continued, reflecting on nostalgia: experiencing pep rallies, Senior Sunrise, Senior Sunset, Mercado days in the library, and gave his peers one last piece of advice.

“Do not forget to speak for yourself and not bite your tongue. Do not forget to tell your parents that you love them,” he said. “And lastly, do not forget to cherish the very being that made it not only through these last four years but all our K-12 education: you.”

Menchaca also told his peers to take a moment to look around the arena and look at the people who have helped them grow and progress.

“It is ok if some days you want to give up,” he said. “But please, do not give up. If you are in this room today, I am sure that whatever life throws at you, you will overcome.”

Before the end of the graduation ceremony, the high school introduced a new tradition that involved students giving a gold stole to an individual who guided them through their high school career.

“During our senior awards assembly, our graduating students embarked on a new tradition at Carter: Mi exito, tu orgullo. Or my success, your pride,” said Perez. “Designed to recognize and honor the significant figures who have contributed to the success of our graduating students with a gold stole.

The stole is a symbol of guiding belief contributed by significant figures to students who graduated that evening.

“At this time, the mentors, family members, and friends who are wearing the red-gold stole, please stand,” said Perez as clapping erupted from the crowd.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends stood from the crowd for a moment of recognition, gold stoles with red striping hanging over their shoulders.

One graduate, Reynaldo Adrian Segura, gifted the golden stole to his grandfather.

“I gave it to my grandpa because he’s always there…he’s always pushing me to my limit,” Segura said.

Outside the arena, the two took photos, Segura’s grandfather being one of many sharing the pride of secondary graduation with those who guided students to success.