Graduation coverage sponsored by Lake Havasu Big O Tires

By Grace Usher

Fifteen students walked across the graduation stage Wednesday night at Telesis Preparatory Academy.

Unlike the typical graduation ceremony, each student had their own contribution to the ceremony through song, announcements, biographies and personal thank yous to friends and family.

The Welcome speech, senior biographies and presentation of diplomas were all announced by Telesis Founder and Superintendent Dr. Sandra K. Breece. The student introductions and presentation of diplomas were given by Senior Advisor and Dean of Students, Padmaja Chava.

Graduating student Michael DeFoe recited the “Pledge of Allegiance.” “The National Anthem” was sung A Capella style by Pastor Deanna Brubaker. A moment of silence for troops was led by graduating student Kay Bailey.

“Homeward Bound” by Mara Keen was sung ACapella by graduating student Cydney Carr.

The honorary guest speaker of the night was Chief Academic Officer of Arizona Charter Schools Association, Dr. Ildiko Laczko-Kerr. The topic of the speech was “Choices Made in Life.”

Salutatorian of the evening was Nicholas Smith. Valedictorian was Pallavi Koyye. The topic of the valedictorian speech was “Dare to be More.”

The overall scholarship earnings of the Telesis graduating class of 2018 was over $100,000.

As the students left the ceremony, their chosen class song, “Good Ol’ Days” by Macklemore played throughout the recession area.

Here is the Telesis Preparatory Academy Class of 2018:

Bailey Kashuba

Bailey Kashuba. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Going to the beach after Senior Recognition Night was probably one of the best times I think I have ever had.

Biggest Influence: My boyfriend of three years, Ryan Clever. He is graduating with me tonight.

Tawny Forsythe

Tawny Forsythe. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: the people and my friends. One time I got hit in the face with a volleyball.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Suzie Walters, for sure. She is definitely an amazing teacher and taught me a lot.

Michael Defoe

Michael DeFoe. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Having Ms. Walters as a teacher. The first time I met her, she was watching my class in eighth grade because we were being bad, and she made sure we knew she was the tough teacher. But when I had her I knew she was a good teacher.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Walters, Ms. Tina Hayes, my friends.

Russell Semm II

Russell Semm. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Meeting the teachers and making new friends, because I just moved here.

Biggest Influence: Definitely Ms. Hayes and Ms. Walters. There was a teacher my freshman year named Ms. Pam Simon.

Morgan Motel

Morgan Motal. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Right after I got my license, going to McDonalds with Russell and ordering a Whopper then going to Burger King and ordering a Big Mac. Then, asking them the directions to McDonalds.

Biggest Influence: My friends and family.

Kay Bailey

Kay Bailey. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: My senior trip. We went to Universal [Studios], and it was my first time riding roller coasters. We got to go off in our different groups and I got to experience that with my friends.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Walters, she encouraged me a lot. All of my friends, and, my family is a big one.

                                                                   Promis Merryman

Promis Merryman. Erin  O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: When I on a trip to Disneyland and Kingman.

BIggest Influence: Everyone, my teachers, my family, and my friends.

Cydney Carr

Cydney Carr. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite memory: This one time I went to a bomb prom and had one of the best nights of my life. I had been planning it for a whole year. It was kind of like seeing my child being born.

Biggest Influence: My uncle, Clayton Wirz, I don’t think I would be here right now if it wasn’t for him going out of his way to help me. He basically flipped my whole life around and was able to get me on a better track than was I was.

Pallavi Koyye

Pallavi Koyye. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Sophomore year I took this class called Teen Leadership. I learned so many things and it taught me how to be a leader. I also really enjoyed being a part of Key Club. I was so shy and so insecure, Key Club made me feel like I was part of something.

Biggest Influence: Key Club and Mr. Louis Burtless, he was my first Kiwanis advisor, he was the reason I ran for President [of Key Club] and he is the reason I am a leader today.

Ryan Clever

Ryan Clever. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: We were asked if we were on an invitation for the kid’s prom and we weren’t. We went inside but we got kicked out.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Walters, my mom, and my girlfriend.

Nicholas Smith

Nicholas Smith. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: One time in Ms. Walters class, we were ahead of schedule, we ended up watching a portion of Robot Chicken when Emperor Palpatine had to take the escalator, and everytime he passed a stormtrooper he’d say, “Storm trooper. Storm Trooper.” By the end of it the entire class was laughing.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Walters, by far.

Rhiannon Trimmer

Rhiannon Trimmer. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: On the last day of school, somebody brought a ball and they were just messing around. It was fun for lunch and they were just playing catch. It was fun.

Biggest Influence: Ms. Hayes, the Domestic Arts and Yearbook teacher this year and she helped me out.

Mary Shick

Mary Shick. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: This one time, I went on a senior trip to Universal Studios. [My favorite part] was the roller coasters.

Biggest Influence: My parents, Chris Shick and Michele Shick.

Carissa Divens

Carissa Diven. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: Meeting new friends and making new opportunities. Getting the experience of being an adult.

Biggest Influence: Mrs. Walters, she definitely pushed me when I needed to be pushed.

McKenzie St. Peter

McKenzie St. Peter. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Favorite Memory: This one time me and the seniors were messing around in Mr. Carroll’s class, we were doing Macbeth, and we had these juniors who were doing accents. They did Mickey, Goofy, all of that fun stuff.

Biggest Influence: I would like to thank Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Hayes because they made a big impact on my life. When I first moved here, I went to the high school my first three years and then I moved down here. I would like to thank them for making my transition very easy and making me feel welcome into this school.

Congratulations Class of 2018 from RiverSceneMagazine.com!

Telesis Graduates pose for a phtoo at graduation. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Tawny Forsythe gives her thank you’ s to friends, family, and teachers. Erin O’Callahan/RiverScene

Telesis graduates enter the gymnasium for the start of the ceremony. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Graduates receive hugs after graduation Wednesday evening. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Families and friends line up to congratulate the graduates. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Telesis Graduates enter the gymnasium at the beginning the ceremony. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene

Michael DeFoe and Morgan Motal pose for a photo together. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene