‘A Beautiful Struggle’: Prospect High School sends off graduates

OROVILLE — Twenty-nine graduates received their high school diplomas at Prospect High School’s graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium on Tuesday.

Parents Marivel Alvarez said that they are very proud of their two children, Priscilla and Jose Alvarez, who were both graduating.

“They have come a long way with their wants, needs and expectations,” said Marivel Alvarez. “It’s been a beautiful struggle.”

Priscilla Alvarez will be attending Butte College and Jose Alvarez plans to join the Auroville Fire Department. He is currently working there as a trainee. Marivel Alvarez said the family was planning to go to lunch to celebrate after the ceremony.

“It was a big challenge with COVID-19 and everything,” Marivel Alvarez said. “I am so proud of them.”

Another parent Vanessa Kantu was very proud of their child Kai Geist.

“They plan to work and go to college,” Kantu. Currently, Geist works at Carl’s Jr. in Auroville.

Kantu said that he and his family would present a car to Gist, which was parked in the parking lot waiting to be taken out for a walk after the ceremony.

“We wrote congratulations for this,” Kantu said. “He’s an amazing student and graduated really early in November.”

Some of the class speakers said they overcame many obstacles before graduating.

Lillian Choyke said she lived with the wrong crowd and was on a lot of drugs early in high school, plus her father had kidney failure. She credits her boyfriend and her Prospect High teachers for getting him through.

“My boyfriend helped motivate me to never go to school,” Choyke said. “Potentially high teachers treat us as we matter.”

Choyke’s father shouted his approval from the crowd as Choyke spoke.

“My dad deserved to see me graduate,” she said. “He gave me unconditional love. My father is my soul mate.”

President and student Brie Baxter said she also achieved a lot leading up to her graduation day.