Graduation 2017 Bandera • Utopia • Medina A Special Supplement to the
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Graduation 2017
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Bandera Class of 2017 Remington Adams
Nicklas Aguirre
Kaitlyn Alexander
Bailey Alf
Leslie AlvarezCarreno
Mariah Antonino
Naomi Avalos
Angel Badillo
Hallie Ballow
Alexandra Bauml
Dylan Bess
Cailin Brooks
Emily Brown
Loren Buenrostro
Reilly Butler
Taelen Butler
Benjamin Campos
Shelby Canales
Congratulations
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COVER PHOTO: Bandera High School graduates share hugs and well wishes at the conclusion of the 2017 graduation ceremony on June 2.
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Graduation 2017
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Bandera Class of 2017 Bradley Casada
Connor Chesshir
Ryan Cisneros
Franklin Collazo
Savannah Cooper
Bailey Crowley
Jose Cummins-Cortez
Christian Curry
Gareth Darling
Isaiah Davis
Billy Decker
Garrett Delong
CONGRATULATIONS Emily Dibrell
Timothy Dupre
Wade Duree
As you turn the page to the next chapter, the future is yours to write. Fill it with new experiences, good people and rewarding choices that help make the world a better place. Best wishes to all of the dedicated seniors who are celebrating their graduation!
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Shelby Elam
Jesse Engelke
Congrats, Bandera seniors!
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Graduation 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Bandera Class of 2017 Kaylie Farlie
Vanessa Figueroa
William Fitzpatrick
Angela Flores
Michael Fowler
Lillian Friedrichs
Alex Gaona
Brandy Garcia
Guadalupe Garcia
Gunnar Gard
Justin Garza
Roxanne Gembler
Aaron Givens
Kristian Glossbrenner
Maysen Golden
Victoria Golightly
Jose Gonzales
Dakota Goode
Morgan Gross
Madison Grube
Nicholas Guerra
Congratulations
Class of 2017
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Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Graduation 2017
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Bandera Class of 2017 Faithann Gustamante
Ryan Hart
Terrence Harvey
Savanna Heisler
James Hicks
Michael Howard
Summer Hughes
Savannah Hyer
Hannah Iley
Joshua Jauer
Reece Jennings
William Johnson
Jeffery Karnes
Aidan Keane
Jacob Kimbrel
Landry Kinsel
Blaine Lane
Katelyn Latiolait
Rheanna Leal
Trevor Legget
Christian Leutzinger
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Graduation 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Bandera Class of 2017 Zach Markgraf
Abram Mata
Monica Mata
Cheyenne Mayfield
Vanessa Mendoza
Dalton Merritt
Corbin Meyers
Peyton Mooney
Donley Morrow
Ricardo Muzquiz
Kathrine Nolen
Lillian O’Dell
Kidd Orion
McKenzie Owens
Dustin Paradee
Brooke Pavelka
Michael Pinkham
Edward Ramirez
Brian Ramos
Matthew Randolph
Christopher Reavis
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Graduation 2017
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Bandera Class of 2017 Ashley Rister
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Evan Rohrbach
Leonardo Rojas
Emily Rose
Matthew Rumsey
Cheyenne Rutherford
Dylan Ryan
Esperanza Sanchez
Jakob Sanchez
Keleigh-Shea Schmidt
Kalee Schoonmaker
Alliyiah Schubach
Robert Schwarz
Thomas Shade
Samantha Shaps
Marissa Sisemore
Roman Soto
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Aaron Spence
Brittany Stephens
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Graduation 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Top-ranked Bandera grads reflect The valedictorians and salutatorians at the three, public high schools were asked to answer two questions about their experiences and concerns at this pivotal stage of their lives. Responses were received from two of the three schools. The top-ranked students at Bandera High School gave the following responses:
Valedictorian Madison Young
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about yourself and/or the world during your high school career?
me realize that I can and want to continue to help people throughout the rest of my life.
The two biggest lessons I learned about myself and the world during my high school career were about my own self-esteem and the impact I can make on the world. High school is full of social challenges that taught me that it truly doesn’t matter what other people think and that I can accomplish anything I want to do, as long as I truly put in the effort. I learned that the only thing that can truly hold me back is myself. The other lesson I learned is that what I say or do has an impact on the world, and I can make a difference. I saw when I was doing service work in NHS and Student Council that a little effort on my part can make a difference to someone’s life. Those experiences showed me that one person’s actions matter and made
What do you worry about the most as you head into the next phase of your life? The biggest worry I have as I leave Bandera High School is that, because I’ve lived in a small, relatively safe town, that it will be a challenge to adapt to the dangers of the world and the new temptations offered. The world is enormous, and not everyone is good, though they may hide behind smiles and fake friendship. I worry that, happy as I am to have grown up in a safe area, that I am unprepared to face the world. High school is not real life, and the transition out of it into real life will be a challenge. However, I have the strength and love of my family, friends and hometown behind me and the knowledge that I can overcome hate with love, which will protect and guide me in the years to come.
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Salutatorian Samantha Shaps
648 Hwy.16 S Bandera, TX 78003 (830)796-7715 Fax(830)796-7724
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about yourself and/or the world during your high school career? In a diverse political climate, like Bandera, I’ve learned to become more open-minded and accepting. I’ve learned that the key to growth and change is awareness, and that in order to obtain this awareness, one must be humble and kind in the face of adversity. Additionally, I’ve learned that you should never let the risk of failing keep you from taking a risk, because life goes by extremely quickly, and you’ll miss out if you don’t take chances. What do you worry about the most as you head into the next phase of your life? As I head into the next phase of my life, I worry mainly about time. Time is like a shooting star. It’s beautiful and creates so many beautiful moments, but it is gone in an instant. I worry that as I approach my goals, time will dictate how much I achieve. I have such big aspirations for the future, but as time ticks by, I fear they may not all occur in this moment called life.
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Graduation 2017
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Helping students choose the right major Picking a college major is a big step for young students. Though many adults eventually find themselves working in fields that have little to do with their college majors, many more spend their entire careers in the same field they chose to major in. Choosing a major is a decision that ultimately rests on the shoulders of the students who must consider a host of factors before committing to a specific field of study, but parents can still help their children as they make such an important decision. • Encourage patience. Today’s college students and college-bound youngsters are living in a world that’s significantly different than the one their parents or even older siblings might have encountered. Students trying to pick a major should avoid picking one too quickly. Just because a certain field is experiencing job growth does not mean that field is ideal for all students. En-
courage kids to be patient when choosing a major so they can find the field that’s right for them, and not just the major they feel will produce the best job prospects. • Suggest a double major. Many of today’s students are fully aware of the
Congratulations
2017 Graduates 610 Hwy.16 S. Bandera TX. 78003
difficult job market and the cost of a college education. Students want to choose a major they feel will put them in the best position to land a well-paying job after college. That’s a smart strategy, but it’s also one that overlooks the joy of studying a subject you are passionate about. Parents can simultaneously encourage kids to be smart about their job prospects and pursue their passions by suggesting a double major. If your child has a love of art but understands the difficulty in earning a living as an artist, suggest a double major in art and graphic design. This way he or she has more career options upon graduation and gets to pursue a subject he or she is passionate about. • Encourage students to apply for internships. Internships are rarely easy to get, but some firms hire interns who are still in high school. Parents should encourage kids to pursue internships as early as possible since they provide young students
with some real-world experience and give them an accurate glimpse into what their professional lives might be like. The internship can help narrow down the field of prospective majors for young students. • Let kids know a major isn’t the same thing as a career. The pressure to choose the right major can be overwhelming for some young students, but parents should let kids know that a major is not the same thing as a career. Choosing the right major is important. but parents should also let kids know that nothing is ever set in stone. That can help take some of the pressure off students as they make such an important decision. Today’s college students have more to consider when choosing a college major than many of their predecessors. But parents can still take steps to help kids choose the right major without succumbing to the stress that comes with making such a significant decision.
You Did It! Give yourselves a pat on the back, grads! You’ve worked hard toward your graduation, and now it’s your day to proudly celebrate. May the lessons and friendships of your school days stay with you for a lifetime.
(830) 796-3767 Hat's off, Graduates! Hat' Congratulations to the Class of 2017.
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Graduation 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Bandera Class of 2017 Sean Stewart
Heather Sutherland
Joshua Tarr
Shelby Terry
Connor Tobin
Carson Todd
Charles Tondre
Elida Torres
Joel Torres
Hunter Tweedy
Marilynn Valdovinos
Claudia Vasquez
David Verhey
Caleb Vick
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Cole Warren
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Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Graduation 2017
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Bandera Class of 2017 Chelsea Whitefield
Carson Wilke
Jacob Williams
Cheyanne Wortman
Madison Young
Jesse Zimmel
ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD ATTENDS BANDERA GRADUATION
Austin Wilson
TOP-RANKED STUDENTS LEAD PROCESSION
BULLETIN PHOTO/Chuck McCollough
A large, energetic crowd watches members of the Bandera High School’s Class of 2017 receive their diplomas during the school’s graduation ceremonies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio on June 2. A total of 149 seniors were expected to receive their high school diplomas at the ceremony, which was held a day after school ended in the Bandera Independent School District for the summer.
BULLETIN PHOTO/Chuck McCollough
Bandera High School Salutatorian Samantha Shaps, left, and Valedictorian Madison Young, second from left, lead the procession of 2017 graduates into the St. Mary’s University convocation center for graduation ceremonies on June 2. They and senior class President Taelen Butler addressed the big crowd attending ceremonies.
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Graduation 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Utopia Class of 2017
Dakota Beggs
K’Lynn Bice
Zachary Bice
Haleigh Boyd
Kristen Cox
Ashley Emerson
Dylan Holt
Kaleigh Keeney
Kelsea Keeney
Mikaela Loman
Nate Massa
Meghan Rainey
Micaela Scott
Stephen Triner
Uriel Zapatero
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Graduation 2017
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Top-ranked Utopia grads reflect The valedictorians and salutatorians at the three, public high schools were asked to answer two questions about their experiences and concerns at this pivotal stage of their lives. Responses were received from two of the three schools. The top-ranked students at Utopia High School gave the following responses:
during your high school career? One of the most challenging parts I learned while being in high school was that the world was not controlled by me. I learned that I did not have authority over how fast or slow time went. Time management was definitely a big lesson I needed to be taught and to know that procrastination was not an option when it came to school work. What do you worry about the most as you head into the next phase of your life?
Valedictorian Kelsea Keeney What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about yourself and/or the world
As I head into a new life of college, I know that it will be a culture shock, especially moving from a small town like Utopia to Abilene. I mostly worry about how I will manage all the new responsibilities that come with moving away. I will not have my parents by my side every step of the way as guides. In a way,
that might actually be a good thing. I am growing up, and new adventures comes along with becoming an adult.
is what sets people and their amount of success apart. The internal drive to push limits and work for results determines what goals are accomplished. In my academics and sports, motivation is what put me ahead of others who failed to dedicate the time and energy. What do you worry about the most as you head into the next phase of your life?
Salutatorian Haleigh Boyd What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about yourself and/or the world during your high school career? During high school, one of the biggest lessons I have learned about myself and the world around me is motivation. That
I think most people worry about the direction they are choosing as they head into college. There is a lot of pressure to choose the best degree for yourself and to look far enough into the future to accurately guess what you may want to be doing as a career. College is also a very different experience than high school, and I only hope that I can adjust accordingly and adapt positively as I move forward into the new curriculum.
Expert advice for college-bound grads Only 60 percent of college freshmen will graduate within six years, according to the latest report from the National Center for Educational Statistics. That’s pretty scary stuff for college-bound students and their tuition-paying parents — especially if loans are part of the financial formula. From a University of Florida senior: “The problem with college is that you figure it out about the time you’re ready to graduate.” Helping college students “figure it out” sooner rather than later is what the latest edition of the awarding-winning “Been There, Should’ve Done That — 995+ Tips for Making the Most of College,” (Front Porch Press) continues to do. The 4th edition again draws from interviews with seasoned collegians across the U.S. “I could talk until I was blue in the face about things like time-management and self-discipline,” author SuzetteTyler explains, “but when a fellow student says, ‘I got great grades and I never missed a party and here’s how to do it,’ it has far more impact.
Here are some tips from ‘the experts’: • “The first few weeks are great. You’re meeting people, partying ... no tests, no papers. Then ...WHAM! Everything’s due in the same week! If you weren’t hitting the books right along, you’ll spend the rest of the term digging yourself out!” - Senior, University of California, Santa Cruz • “Sitting in a classroom is the easiest part of college, and it cuts study time in half. Why make it hard on yourself? GO!” - Senior, University of Iowa • “What separated me from the masses was ‘connecting’ with a faculty member. I didn’t even know what the possibilities were until he laid out a ‘roadmap’ and showed me a few shortcuts to get there. When my confidence was shaky, he reminded me that I could do it.” - Graduate, University of Michigan. • “Get a job in the office of your major. You’ll get to know everyone from the
secretaries to the dean, all of whom can be very helpful. If any great opportunities come along, you’ll be the first to know.” - Senior, Indiana University • “There’s no reason to fail! There are people here to help, and it’s free. Actually, you’ve paid for it, so you might as well use it.” - Senior, Michigan State University “The students who make the most of
their college experience aren’t necessarily the smartest ones. It’s often the average kids who know how to utilize the system, connect with the professors, take advantage of extracurricular activities and manage their time well who reap the rewards,” Tyler says. “Been There, Should’ve Done That” can help students get all they can out of the next four years.
Class of 2017 graduates, the world is at your feet. Dream big and work hard, and success will be your reward. Congratulations!
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Graduation 2017
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Medina Class of 2017
Alyssa Burks
Tiffany Clark
Halah Garrison
Asarel Gonzalez
Robert Hartley
Jessica McCain
Baylee Parks
Gabriella Phillips
Zachary Simons
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Graduation 2017
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Benefits to joining a CLASS PHOTO PART campus organization OF GRADUATION
COURTESY PHOTO
The first week of life on a college campus can be somewhat overwhelming for first-year college students. For many students, college is their first taste of independence. Some embrace that newfound freedom, while others grow homesick and long for the company of their immediate family. But as the school year progresses, the majority of first-year college students adapt to life on campus and grow to love their new surroundings. Once students have comfortably adapted to their new lives, many seek opportunities to become more actively involved in life on campus. College clubs and organizations are a great way to do just that, providing a host of benefits that further enhances college life. Meet people Joining a student club or organization is a great way for college students to meet fellow students, professors and other people of note on campus. This is especially beneficial for first-year college students, whose social circle may otherwise be limited to roommates or fellow residents of their dormitories. Joining a club or student organization can quickly expand that social circle to include people who share your interests and not just your dorm assignment. Find a major Many first-year college students are unsure about a course of study, enrolling as an undeclared. Such students can benefit from joining clubs or student organizations that pique their interests. For example, joining an on-campus debate club might help you discover a passion for debate, which can lead down a path to becoming a lawyer. Students who enroll in college without declaring a major may have the most to gain by joining a club or organization.
Boost your GPA Joining a club or student organization also may make you a better student. That’s especially likely for students who join a club or organization that’s aligned with their field of study. A club or organization can help you apply lessons from the classroom in real-world situations, improving your grasp of certain concepts. In addition, your fellow club members may make great teachers, especially those who are ahead of you and have taken many of the same classes you’re now taking or can expect to take down the road. Such students can be invaluable resources, helping explain concepts and offering advice as to which courses to take and which professors they prefer. Network with professionals Clubs and campus organizations also are a great way to begin networking with professionals in your future line of work. Many clubs or organizations bring in professionals within the field to speak to members. Such speeches and discussions are typically members-only, which means you will have an advantage over fellow students in your field of study who have not gone the extra mile and joined a club or organization. Professionals may also give you advice on finding an internship in your field or a job once you have graduated. Improve your overall experience Even if a student club or organization has nothing to do with your studies or your future career, signing up is a great way to improve your overall college experience. You’re liable to create more memories, make more friends and get the most out of your time on campus, which many college seniors will tell you is going to be gone before you know it. Take advantage of all of the opportunities your college or university offers, and you will likely one day look back and be glad you made the most of your time on campus.
Medina seniors take a selfie during their graduation ceremonies at Bobcat Stadium on May 26. The class was unusually small this year, with only nine seniors, many of w h o m had been classmates since early in their school careers.
CLASS PRESIDENT MAKES FAREWELL COMMENTS BULLETIN PHOTO/Jessica Goode
Bandera High School Senior Class President Taelen Butler makes a point during the class farewell she presented at the school’s graduation exercises on June 2. Commencement speakers talked about how important family, friends, teachers and the community have been in their development so far and looked forward to an exciting future.
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Graduation 2017
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BANDERA GRADS SING FAREWELL BULLETIN PHOTO/Jessica Goode
LEFT: Bandera High School graduates salute their school while singing their alma mater at the conclusion of graduation ceremonies in San Antonio on June 2. COURTESY PHOTO
BOTTOM LEFT: The Medina High School graduating class of 2017 celebrates with school officials and others at its graduation ceremony on May 26 at the school stadium. The class was a relatively small one this year, with nine members. COURTESY PHOTO
BOTTOM RIGHT: The 15 graduates from Utopia High School take a bow at the end of their graduation ceremony on May 27. The graduation came a day after school ended in the Utopia school district.
MEDINA GRADUATES CELEBRATE UTOPIA GRADS TAKE FINAL BOW
Congratulations to the class of 2017
A bright future awaits you, graduates!
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