Good evening. My name is Robert Mayo and it is my privilege to serve as the principal of Exeter Union High School.

Before we begin I would like to take a moment of silence. Recently we faced the loss of one of our graduates, Brandon Mendes. A loss of a loved member of our school is always challenging, yet made more difficult during these times of Stay at Home orders.

I would ask that we all observe this moment for Brandon and others we have lost. Thank you.

I would like to acknowledge and recognize some honored members of Exeter Unified School District:

School Board Members

· President Dean Sutton

· Vice President Virginia Padilla

· Clerk – Michael Giefer

· Trustee - Ray Strable

· Trustee - Mark Helwig

· Trustee – Dwayne Faulkner

· Trustee - Eugene Lytle

· Superintendent George Eddy

· Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melanie Stringer

· Director of CTE Mr. Ken Stovall

· Director of Special Education Ms. Aimee Micullian

I would like also recognize all of the other principals from Exeter Unified School District and feeder districts, truly members of our entire Monarch Pride:

· Wilson Middle School – Stephen Bradley

· Kaweah High School – Darrin Pace

· Lincoln Elementary – Veronica Raygoza

· Rocky Hill Elementary – Linda Montemayor

· Exeter Community Day School – Beth Micari

· Sequoia Union Elementary – Perry Jensen

· Outside Creek - Derek Bravo

In addition, thank you to our entire High School Faculty who have watched and supported our graduates over their time at Exeter Union High School.

Speaking today will be two of our students:

1. Maddie Fry – Our ASB president - reflecting on the class of 2020

2. And 1 of our Valedictorians, Morgan Weldon As she looks at the past and future of our graduates

We will also have our Erickson Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Heidi Carmen sharing some words for the Class of 2020. Mrs. Heidi Carmen was nominated by her colleagues as the Teacher of the year for all of his contributions, professionalism and influence of Exeter Union High School Students over this and past years. Congratulations Mrs. Carmen.

I often talk to the staff and students about always making their tomorrow better than today. This idea is based off the Book, Good to Great where Jim Collins writes, “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.” I feel in today’s time, overcoming life’s barriers to be great is even more relevant.

Class of 2020 I want you to have great lives. To inspire others, to overcome obstacles and to truly make your tomorrow better than today. Because that is what I’ve seen you do.Collins writes, “The good-to-great leaders never want to become larger-than-life heroes. They never aspire to be put on a pedestal or become unreachable icons. They were seemingly ordinary people, quietly producing extraordinary results.” Be the leaders that we need. It is my special privilege to be able to highlight a few of these extraordinary results that the Class of 2020 has demonstrated.

The class of 2020

Contributed to the raising thousands of dollars and gifts for the Toys for Tots program even developing a Santa Run, through the streets of Exeter, to support the charity. They were, the veterans in school spirit - demonstrated in dress up days, activity participation and school cheers. Winning the Class of the Year Title since they were sophomores, 3 years in a row!

And most importantly remained positive during these unprecedented times and participated in virtual learning and school activities during our time of Stay at Home orders. The Class of 2020 has defined what a Exeter Monarch should be.

Band/Choir/Color Guard: (Kirk Clague)

Superior Rating in Chamber and Concert Choirs

Superior Rating in Jazz & Concert Bands

Marching Band constantly achieved success taking numerous first place trophies

Top 12 of the Western Band Association Championship

Athletics:

3 students signed National Letters of Intent

Our Cheer team qualified to compete at the National Level

Average Gpa for a Varsity athlete was 3.31 during their season of sport.

In addition multiple school records were broken.

FFA:

3 Star National Chapter

State champions and National Finalists in Agri Science

Donated over 2000lbs of food to Tulare County Food Link.

Awarded 10 State Degrees – These FFA students are wearing blue and gold cords this evening as part of their regalia.

Exeter Union High a graduating class of : ( 204 Monarchs )

Combined they have earned over $170,000 dollars in scholarships, awards

We have awarded 43 Lifetime CSF members

These students have qualified to wear the gold cord and tassel, representing life time membership in the California Scholarship Federation

These students standing have achieved academic excellence across four years of course work from the most challenging curriculum available. This honor is an indication of their commitment to academic excellence in all curricular areas. Congratulations students.

Many of our graduates have been accepted to

University of California campuses that include

UC Santa Barbara UC Berkley

California State Universities

Fresno

Sacramento

Channel Islands

Bakersfield

San Jose

Stanislaus

Monterey Bay

Cal Poly

Northridge

Chico

Out of State and Private Schools that include:

Biola University

Northwestern Prepratory School

Westcliff University

Fresno Pacific University

University of the Pacific

Vanguard University

Formal Vocational Training

Universal Technical Institute

One student has enlisted in the US Military

And will be joining the US Navy – Godspeed

Many more will be attending our Community Colleges here in the Valley and throughout California.

There are many other accomplishments, too numerous to list, and it has been my privilege to share in these celebrations. The class of 2020 has also wanted to leave a tribute of their class behind for future monarchs to enjoy. They have already left their handprints in paint on a wall on campus and have purchased several large aluminum shade umbrellas for future students to enjoy.

I would now like to honor 15 students with the designation of Valedictorian. These students all have Academic GPAs over 4.0.

BRYAN CABRERA-ELIZARRARAZ

College of the Sequoias

HANNAH CHROSTOWSKI

UC Berkeley

MORGAN DOUGHERTY

UC Santa Barbara

ELISABETH FLYNN

College of the Sequoias

FEDERICO GARCIA

College of the Sequoias

GRACE GERMAINE

College of the Desert

CHLOE LAMB

College of the Sequoias

KASSANDRA LUMBRES

College of the Sequoias

HANNAH MAHONY

Biola University

HAYLEE MCFALL

CSU Fresno

CALEB PELTZER

College of the Sequoias

JACLYNN RAMIREZ

Navy

NICHOLAS TANGONAN

CSU San Marcos

MORGAN WELDON

College of the Sequoias

CURTLYNN WENDT

Porterville College

JAYCIE WILKINSON

CSU Fresno

In addition, I would also like to recognize our 14 salutatorian graduates that have earned an Academic GPA of 3.85 – 3.99

CARA CHROSTOWSKI

CSU Fresno

BRIANNA CORTEZ AGUILAR

CSU San Jose

FERNANDO ESCAMILLA

College of the Sequoias

MATTIE FRY

CSU Fresno

SARA GENTNER

College of the Sequoias

ALEXANDER MCEWEN

Northwestern Preparatory School

LYNCOLN MILLER

College of the Sequoias

JULIA NELSEN

Vanguard University of Southern CA

ANNA MARIE PAYNE

CSU Sacramento

JENNIFER ROJAS

College of the Sequoias

MEGHAN TILSCHNER

Westcliff University

ALENA ZUNIGA

College of the Sequoias

Congratulations to all of you.

Graduates… I know that you worked hard to achieve where you are today. Wherever you are at this moment, please take an opportunity thank those who have helped you along in your educational journey.

Graduates, tonight concludes your time at Exeter Union High School, but the E should never come off, remember to always choose greatness, as you make your tomorrow better than your today. You are Forever a Monarch and Exeter Union High School will always be your home.

On behalf of Exeter Unified School District, Superintendent George Eddy and school board members. It is my privilege and honor to formally recognize the Graduates of Exeter Union High School 2020.

Graduates I have enjoyed each moment with you. Our lives are better because we have shared 4 years with you. Congratulations to the Class of 2020.