By Brandon Adam

badam@marysvillglobe.com

TULALIP — The Marysville Arts and Technology class of 2016 graduation ceremony was held at its campus June 16.

After the presentation of colors and and principal Terrie Kaltenbach’s greeting, students speakers; valedictorian Christian Rounds, salutatorian Parker Olson, class president Cyrus Williams and student speaker address Alexandria Moore gave speeches regarding their experiences at the school.

“For our families, we say thank you,” Rounds said. “We don’t say it often enough or with the meaning it should have. For our faculty, we admire and respect you.”

Olson told of his humorous reluctance of giving a speech on one-week notice by the faculty, but ultimately mustered the will to try it.

“By taking any situation you see as a negative situation and thinking about it more positively you can have a much more enjoyable journey throughout life,” Olson said.

Williams used the analogy of approaching things in life much like writing a speech.

“Our stories have not been completely told yet; high school is just a chapter of your life; whether or not you choose to enjoy that chapter is entirely up to you,” Williams said.

Williams then challenged the graduating class with two choices.

“Whether or not you want to look back and read on what you have learned in this chapter is up to you,” he said. “Or if you want to continue writing without looking back and see if you find something along the way, that is all entirely up to you.”

Before the presentation of diplomas, Kaltenbach bid a tearful goodbye to her graduating class. “The four years you have been a part of Arts and Tech you have mastered the Haunted House and a wide variety of community service projects,” Kaltenbach said. “The list can go on an on.”