“Be grateful for everything,” says Cole. “Keep your friends and family close, because you never know when you, or they, might not be here.”
Senior Stories
“When we started to play together as a group [in jazz band], everything just clicked,” says Noah.
Gabriel Brown has overcome more in ten years than most people do in a lifetime.
“The community at PCOA is really supportive and welcoming,” she says. “The teachers are patient and really care about you.”
“I am proud that I can push myself to keep doing things on my own,” says Sean.
“I don't let my disability get to me,” she says. “I can do all the things that other people can. It might take me a bit longer to do things, but I get it done.”
“Graduating high school is a beginning, not an end,” says Maleah, “I can’t wait to see where life takes me.”
“A lot of what I have been able to do comes down to the effort put into it,” he says. “Everything is obtainable with the right amount of effort.”
Eduardo Rosales loves to work with his hands. His twin brother, Alonso, has always had a love of cars.
“Things have always found a way to work out,” Emily says.
Sophia was accepted into Eastern Washington University where she wants to study Criminal Justice and eventually become an FBI agent.
“I love baseball because anything can happen," Joey says.
Next year Zoe will attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. She plans to major in Biology with a Pre-Med focus.
“I got to research and do a deep dive into things I already love,” Jonathan says.
“I love math and figuring out equations,” says Alejandra.
Since he was six years old, Hanford High senior Austin Mallory has known he wanted to enlist in the Marines.
“I just feel you have to do what gives you purpose.”
He plans to enroll at Columbia Basin College in the fall to begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in project management, which would give him skills to work on everything from construction projects to media campaigns.
“When you want to do something, you have to envision yourself doing it,” she says. “I really believe in manifesting what you want.”
He’s excited to join his family’s business after graduation and work side-by-side with his father. He’s also looking at opportunities to use skills to help others through disaster relief efforts around the world.
“You can’t control everything that happens, but you can still reach your goals,” Sedra says. “Even when it feels hard to get through something, the people around you will help. Keep going.”
Eddie De La Paz was focused on his goals and interests throughout his four years at Hanford High. However, his need for one more class to fill his schedule led him to discover something he never would have tried on his own and put him on the forefront of a historic time for the school.
Alana Cho has always enjoyed school and learning. However, it's been her experiences outside the classroom and the relationships with her teachers that have helped determine what she wants to do next.
Jordan Jech arrived at River's Edge High School as a sophomore and working through some of his own challenges. Learn how the school helped him be ready to take the next step after graduation.
When Zahraa Talib learned about Delta High School in the eighth-grade, she knew it was the place for her so she could prepare for her future as a doctor.
Elie Belmont has spent the past 10 years at Three Rivers HomeLink. She's excited to move on to her future but says she will miss a place that helped her cope with her challenges and inspired her decision to become a counselor.
As recently as two years ago, Caden Mata fully expected he would drop out and not graduate from Richland High. Now he's not only graduating but heading off to continue his education with the goal of working in radiological medicine.
Natalia Negrete deeply valued competing as a swimmer and wrestler at Hanford High as the sports taught her push herself and become self-reliant. But it's the experience of community and cooperation she learned at the same time that is leading her to study sports management at Washington State University.