We Did It Our Way And Succeeded

‘And the winner of the 1998 Golden Throne Competition is … West Valley High School!”

Deafening screams filled the gym as we hugged each other, jumping up and down. This was more than merely a school victory against rival East Valley - it was a victory for the senior class. That night we proved that although small in numbers, we were strong in spirit and leadership. We were the first senior class during our high school career to bring home the throne.

We entered freshman year like every class before us, anxious yet excited. We knew great times were ahead of us, just as long as we lived through the hazing.

September flew by with just a few casualties from “freshman pinball” and penny pushing races. Then it was time for homecoming week. We enjoyed all the fun of the 12-hour relay, dress-up days and, of course, the dance. The rest of the year we were able to just relax and enjoy being in high school without constant fear of upperclassmen.

Sophomore year is supposed to be your last worry-free year, but, sadly, the memories that stand out most in our minds are those of sorrow.

First, three WV graduates were brutally beaten, two of them losing their lives. Then, just one month later, another student died in a drunken-driving accident. Added to that was the death of a beloved teacher from our junior high days, Mr. Olson, from cancer. It was a hard year but we made it through, stronger than ever.

Junior year soon came, and we were ready for anything. We were upperclassmen and nobody could hold us back. The classes were harder as we began to think about college and our futures, but we were easily motivated knowing that high school was half over.

It may have been more work, but junior year was also more fun, thanks to the fact most of us now had cars and our parents were giving us more freedom. You could always find an excuse to celebrate and that was never more true than that March when our girls basketball team won the state tournament.

Suddenly we were seniors and it was this year that we really bloomed. Previously our claim to fame had been how quickly our class shrank as students failed to earn the credits needed for promotion. This year, however, we received more positive recognition thanks to our many talented students.

Tia Gregorak was elected a state DECA officer and many of her classmates competed at the national competition. Monica Beach was a member of the All State Orchestra for the fourth year in a row. Tracy Hensen and Judy Chang both developed science projects that sent them to national competitions.

This year we’ve proved we can be successful, but we’ll do it our own way. We’re not a stereotypical senior class. Our homecoming queen shaved her head just before the election and our ASB president doubles as the bassist in a punk rock band. It’s the small details such as these that set our class apart and have helped to make our time at West Valley so memorable.

Graduation is quickly approaching and we are filled with mixed emotions. We’re excited that high school is over, but nervous about what lies ahead.

Next fall, everything will change as we are scattered across the country. Our friendships, goals and lives will all be different.

All that will be left of our time at West Valley is our memories.

But, hopefully, when we all meet again in 2008 we will find that one thing has continued - our drive to find our own version of success, no matter how unconventional that success may be.