SAGUACHE — Mountain Valley School graduated seven seniors Saturday, May 18 at Bennett Gymnasium, the last class that will matriculate from the old Mountain Valley School before it is replaced by the new school currently under construction.
Thomas Fairchild was the valedictorian for the class and David Hammel was named salutatorian. Summer Quintana was the senior speaker.
The class flower was a black rose and class colors were red, black and white. “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone was the class song and the chosen class motto was “if you’re not first, you’re last.”
Seniors receiving diplomas were: Samantha Clark, Azlyn DeHerrera, Thomas Fairchild, David Hammel, Van Keith and Megan Larimore. Fairchild graduated with a Gold Cord for a GPA above 3.6, DeHerrera and Hammel graduated as members of the National Honor Society with GPAs from 3.0-3.6 and Keith also graduated as a member of the National Honor Society.
Salutatorian David Hammel spoke of not being afraid of failure. “Something I learned early is when you do what is easy, life will be hard. When you don’t go to work or stay up all night playing video games, you’re not going to be successful in school and life can be hard.But when you do what is hard, life can be easy. Working out in the gym at 6 a.m. is hard. But making that tackle later on will be easy.”
Athletic Director Larry Hunt was the commencement speaker and he gave the students great advice. In his speech he spoke to “doing what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it.”
Superintendent Travis Garoutte shared fond memories about this class as they were seventh graders his first year of teaching sixth grade.
The class of 1969 was honored at the graduation. Graduating seniors from 1969 were: Teresa Armenta, El Louise Bunker (deceased), Lewis Crawford, Tony Garcia, Rod Hammel, Debbie Koch, Henry Lovato, Kathy Lovato, Victoria Woodard, Earlene McDaniel, Nancy Minks, Jim Moore and Vince Segura.

Mountain Valley Principal Kathy Hill contributed to this article.