Andress High School graduates more than 320 Eagles to close Day 4 of EPISD's 2021 Graduation Season
(ANDRESS HIGH SCHOOL -- June 18, 2021) — More than 320 Andress Eagles walked across the stage at Baty-Simmang Stadium Friday evening to close off Day 4 of EPISD’s 2021 Gradation Season.
The rowdy and excited members of the Class of 2021 earned $2.4 million in scholarships and many seniors — including 10 who earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma — are continuing their education at prestigious universities like Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, an dIncarnate Word.
Valedictorian Sofia Gomez, who’s headed to Notre Dame this fall, thanked those supporting her and her classmates and spoke about life lessons learned – especially in an unprecedented year.
“We learned to not give up. We learned to speak up. We learned to ask for help in need. We learned that time is precious,” she said. “We learned that remote and hybrid learning was not a walk in the park. We not only continued to achieve but we exceeded the high bar that was set for us. We learned. After all these triumphs and ongoing global issues, we made it. Our perseverance and hard work led us to reaching this next milestone.”
Salutatorian and IB grad Tiffany Whitney, who plans to attend the University of Oregon in 2022, offered advice to her fellow students, using what she tells often tells herself to push through difficult times “do it scared.”
“Do it when you’re afraid and do it when it is too much to handle,” she told her class. “Do it when you’re scared of what others will think or even when the thought of giving a speech in front of your entire graduating class feels paralyzing. Have courage to do what you want despite that fear. Don’t let that fear control your life, if you want to become a doctor, lawyer, musician, actor, politician, or dog groomer. And now, I urge everyone sitting here, the class of 2021, to use that fear to drive your passions and do it scared.”
To watch a rebroadcast of the Andress graduation ceremony, visit www.episd.org/live.
Photos by Leonel Monroy