Mountain View grads advised to ‘always do your best’

BY STACI WILSON

Mountain View High School Principal Rob Presley asked four of the district’s retiring staff members to help him come up with advice for the 68 graduating seniors.

The observations from the teachers centered around a few common themes. “Always do what is right,” came from mathematics teacher Teri Edwards.

Guidance counselor Donna Porter elaborated on that theme with, “Do what is right even when it is difficult” and “Always leave your campground better than you found it.”

Librarian Peter Regeski offered, “Life is no different than Mountain View. Always do your best because you are worth your best effort.”

And science teacher Michael Talabiska mentioned the paths that lie ahead for the members of the Class of 2018. “Life is what you make of it,” he said. “It’s all good. Choose what you love.”

In the welcoming remarks, Mountain View Class President and Class of 2018 Salutatorian Sophia Ficarro quoted Aesop: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

She thanked all who had shown kindness and helped students through their years at Mountain View.

Valedictorian Talia Stockdale said she asked friends, family and fellow students for speech suggestions.

“Everyone had interesting suggestions,” she said. But it was her sister who recommended she speak about “success.”

Success, she said, is not based on the money you make. “God created you with special talents and gifts,” Stockdale said, advising her fellow grads to find what they love and offer that talent to the world.

“Find what you were created to do and go after it,” she said.

She offered that with strength and determination, her classmates could accomplish anything.

Today is where the process begins,” she said.