DEMING – Just how important was the Deming High Class of 2020 Commencement Exercise on Friday. Let’s just say class valedictorian Ahmad Alsheikh caught a flight from Harvard to deliver a speech to his fellow classmates.
Deming Public Schools stayed true to its word and 15 months later, hosted the graduation ceremony for students of DHS and Mimbres Valley High School who weathered a global pandemic and dealt with a senior year like no other in the history of DHS.
Alsheikh told his classmates their perseverance in 2020 could provide the impetus for success in future endeavors. Seniors were subjected to a school year of remote learning and virtual contacts.
He spoke about his family’s migration from Syria to the United States; “they wanted a better life for their children.”
He overcame the language barrier and admitted to being afraid of his new surroundings and whether he would fit in. He did and excelled in the classroom and among his peers. Alsheikh compiled a 4.0 grade-point average at DHS and scored a 33 on his ACT Exam.
He is studying to be a doctor.
DHS administrators handed out 139 diplomas on Friday at DHS Memorial Stadium. The actual graduate count for the Class of 2020 at DHS and MVHS combined is 286.
Truett Shaffer was announced as Salutatorian and gave a light-hearted address to his classmates. He said he appreciated the fact that the school district met its promise of holding a graduation ceremony once the state’s public health order had been relaxed based on COVID-19 data.
He then proceeded to praise his fellow classmates for their ability to cope and push forward with the stress of DHS senior life, excel academically, and compete in athletics. And all this in the face of a global pandemic that had not been seen since the Influenza of 1918.
Shaffer explained that the Class of 2020 returning for their diplomas – and those who could not make it – would hurdle obstacles and rise above adversity to meet success smack-dab in the face.
The DHS Class of 2020 selected Danna Simmons to deliver the keynote address. Simmons had sponsored the senior class all four years of their DHS secondary education. She proceeded to name-drop a roster of seniors who left an indelible impression during their high school careers.
She told the seniors: “Some of you need to buckle up and get your work done or you won’t graduate in 2020. ….I guess I was right.”
Her farewell message was simple and was delivered in a tale of wisdom.
This man wanted to marry a farmer’s daughter. He met with the farmer and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The farmer said, if you can grab a bull’s tail, you can have the honor of marrying my daughter.
This first bull came out of the barn and was the biggest and meanest bull the man had ever seen.
He passed on that bull.
The second bull came charging out of the barn and was three times the size and twice as mean as the first bull.
The man passed on the second bull figuring the third bull could not be any bigger or meaner.
He was wrong. OMG!
Moral of the story… Go with the first opportunity that comes along.
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.
Never too late
Who: Deming High School Class of 2020
What: Commencement Exercise
When: Friday, July 30, 2021
Where: DHS Memorial Stadium
Class motto: “Chase your dreams, but always know the road that leads you home.” – Tim McGraw
Class colors: Cardinal and navy
Class Flower: Delilah
Top 10 percent of class: Ahmad Alsheikh, Creighton Apodaca, Anissa Bradley, Carlos Emilio Hultsch Martinez, Margareth Jurado, Fatima L. Oliveros, Breanna Marie Richmond, Eduardo Sanchez, Truett W. Shafer, Dezi Stockton.
