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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us June 10, 2006 Lithia Park was filled with students and their loved ones from Ashland High School. Orville Hector | Daily Tidings Music, poetry, jokes highlight AHS graduation ceremony in Lithia Park By Alan Panebaker Ashland Daily Tidings There’s something fun, unique and charismatic about the Ashland High School class of 2006. Maybe it’s their class song: David Bowie and Queen’s “Under Pressure.” Or it could be co-valedictorian Dylan Addison. After all, as he said in his graduation speech, “I’m Dylan Addison, valedictorian and very charming guy.” A bit of anxious hope and aspiration for the years to come filled Lithia Park as friends and family spread across the grounds at the bandshell. The nearly 300 students will disperse across the country and the world at the end of the summer, and the excitement of graduation will soon succumb to the reality of life. But not just yet. AHS grads David Chambers, left, Torrey Johnson, center, and Shaeny Johnson , right, get ready to receive their diploma in Lithia Park Friday. Teachers and students all offered their personal advice to the graduates, along with Emmy Award winning storyteller Mark Lewis’ jokes and poems. However, the mesmerizing moments in this year’s graduation came, not through words, but through music. Jaxon Williams performed Isaac Albeniz’ “Rumores de la Caleta,” the tune that won the senior a state championship in classical guitar, and musical renditions of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” Hal Davis’ and Burt Bacharach’s “Say a Little Prayer” and a solo by Shaeny Johnson of Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” kept the pace going. The next step for each Ashland High graduate this year will be different. Tess Golling will start a journey through Mexico and Central America after attending the Bioneers Conference in Marin County, Calif. Her friend, Christina Lacy, will head to Syracuse University in the fall. With the excitement of graduation, some former high school students are realizing that the next step may be more drastic than it seemed in high school. “Knowing I’m only going to be in touch with about 5 percent of my class is kind of sad,” senior Bailey Hasty said. Hasty will head to St. Mary’s College in the fall to study pre-med. Ashland High School grads and Faculty gave Dylan Addison a standing ovation for his speech on love during graduation in Lithia Park Friday. Ryan Zamonee, who is trying to get into the UC Berkely school of music, knew graduation day was coming but said it kind of snuck up on him. “After 12 years of toil, we’re finally here,” Zamonee said. For the time being, most Ashland High graduates are focused on the moment and cherishing it before it passes by. Things have come full circle for many of them and growing up finally seems like a viable option. Tam Lin Sexton has lived in Ashland since he was one year old. He has turned some things in his life around to find a calling in life. “Life events have led me to the realization that if I want to help people, I have to have a high degree,” Sexton said. Sol Eastin danced down the walk way before receiving his diploma Friday in Lithia Park. He is headed to the University of Oregon to start working toward a PhD in psychology. Sexton wants to work with people with emotional and mental disorders and help them through tough times. Like many graduates, he’s focused on making the future a better place. Sexton realized in the end that high school may not have been the end of the world. “Social status doesn’t matter,” Sexton said. After all the tears, hugs and smiles, the realization of the next step was reassured. With a sigh of relief for students and teachers, a group of students broke into the song “Under Pressure,” the graduates tossed their caps, and in a blink, it was all over. Ashland High principal Jeff Schlecht said the support from the Ashland community and the work of the students had created something wonderful as $100,000 in local scholarships sent students on their way to college. “Seniors, the admiration and respect I have for you is priceless,” Schlecht said. The Ashland senior all-night party followed graduation at the Southern Oregon University campus. The last day of school for students will be June 14. Co-valedictorian Dylan Addison summed up his final days at Ashland High in a modified quote from the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” “Over the last nine months it’s been a way of looking at those grades and saying, ‘hey bud, let’s party,’” Addison said. Staff writer Alan Panebaker can be reached at 482-3456 x 227 or [email protected]. . DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams