001foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign thank you [Music] I was sure that it'll be easy how to clear you from my mind bombs [Music] foreign [Music] thank you foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign good morning ladies and gentlemen welcome to the commencement ceremony for the class of 2023 from Independence High School [Applause] these graduates have worked hard for 12 years to get to this stage tonight I ask you to remember that this is a ceremony to to honor the achievements of this senior class please treat this ceremony with the dignity and respect that these students have worked so hard for the senior class asks that you refrain from yelling cheering or making unnecessary noise during the ceremony so that all seniors names can
002be heard as they accept their diplomas tradition dictates the audience member stands as the graduates enter the arena please bring them in [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] I can't hear the radio anymore foreign [Music] thank you [Music] I just can't I can't understand [Music] thank you foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] oh my God foreign [Music] ladies and Gentlemen please remain standing [Applause] [Music] yes thank you senior vocal Ensemble please join please come up to the risers ladies and Gentlemen please turn your attention to the center aisle as the Independence High School njrotc Color Guard presents our nation's colors and the national anthem is sung by the Independence High School vocal Ensemble seniors led by
003Mrs Sweeney foreign oh say can you see what's so proudly we at the twilight's last gleaming who's my stripes and bright stars [Music] that our flag was still there oh say does [Music] thank you [Applause] left right please be seated can I have this senior band members please join the band on stage senior band members please join your band on stage and Orchestra Orchestra members as well my apologies the Independence High School band will now play our Kingsland spring [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] thank you Mr Meldrum and the Independence High School band seniors please return to your seats welcome seniors parents families teachers and guests I'm Rob Ambrose and I'm very proud to be the principal of Independence High School I'd like to introduce two special guests
004who are joining us today and who will be handing out diplomas first is governing board member Lara arita [Applause] Lara arita began serving the Glendale Union High School District as a governing board member in January of 2021. she is a first generation Glendale High School and Phoenix college graduate who earned an associate degree in global business Miss arita is and her husband are proud parents of two Elementary age children and a Glendale High School senior she is an employee for the Glendale Elementary School District and has served as an active volunteer for the Glendale and Phoenix communities since the mid-1990s the second guests of honor I'm happy to introduce is the superintendent of the Glendale Union High School District Mr Brian capistran now I would like to introduce the Independence High School vocal Ensemble and
005concert choir led by Mrs Sweeney Mrs Sweeney will you please bring in your singers the vocal Ensemble and concert choir will be singing oceans and stars [Music] foreign [Music] I miss you always [Music] crazy [Music] we will love you [Music] friends friends [Music] stories of oceans [Music] [Applause] thank you vocal Ensemble and thank you concert choir seniors tonight today I want you to take a look take a moment and look around you everybody here your family your friends teachers staff counselors administrators all of us are here because we're proud of you we want to share this amazing memory with you there may be times when you feel like you are stepping out into the unknown and you're alone but look around you're surrounded by people who want greatness for you we love you guys congratulations
006and good luck seniors it's my honor to bring up the students who have earned the opportunity to speak to the graduating class of 2023. we will now hear from the top one percent of this year's graduating class and our student body president first please welcome from our top one percent of the graduating class Mr Alberto Mora Trinidad [Applause] good morning everyone I would like to start by thanking all who supported me in my Endeavors know these brief words cannot encapsulate my gratitude for what you have given me thank you to Mr Blankenship Mr Gaspar and my counselor Miss cool thank you to Miss Munoz and Mr Tracy who have given me so many opportunities to explore my skills and the world and develop as a person and finally a special thank you to my mother
007whose sacrifices are what made it possible for me to be standing here today to all of us now graduating as part of the class of 2023 you are often told that we ought to be the change you wish to see in the world but at this point in history whole Generations have been told that you look at the world we're going into shows that things aren't as optimistic as they seem we've been through a lot together and now those things are getting better a big part of life is always staying Vigilant and prepared for the worst when it comes to being vigilant I'd argue that a great part of that is being ready to fight against Injustice no matter the resistance we may encounter the Declaration of Independence itself says that it is the right
008of the people to alter or to abolish as to themselves team most likely to affect their safety and happiness I believe such change is going to happen in our lifetimes and we must Envision ourselves being ready to take that change and use it to create a more equal and just Society I believe that it is easy to believe that in this world things like child hunger for example are simply constants we must live with without considering the fact that we have long been producing enough for everyone all eight billion and that perhaps it is the structures we have simply accepted that causes a clear inefficiency and a Justice in resource use if we are to create lasting betterment structural change is going to be needed the word for such lasting change is Revolution what the
009one true constant through history from civil rights to American democracy I would like to leave you with a quote from Hui P Newton one such revolutionary from the Civil Rights Movement helped pressure the government to help to fund the national school lunch program and help organize and Aid his community in a time when things weren't were against African-Americans the revolution has always been in the hands of the Young The Young always inherit the revolution may we have the strength to revolutionize our society may we have the strength to create prosperity for ourselves and our posterity thank you [Applause] thank you Alberto speaking next for our top one percent of the graduating classes Miss Phoebe sikhavan [Applause] hello I know this phrase is overused but good morning class of 2023 [Applause] it's been a long four
010years but we finally made it I'd like to begin by thanking my family and friends who have prayed for me and supported me throughout High School above all I think the only one who has been my greatest advocate anger best friend and healer Jesus Christ the son of God my Lord and Savior [Applause] his name is above all names and he has delivered me from all my fears and anxieties all glory belongs to him for without him I would have given up a long time ago he saw my weaknesses and burdens and carried them for me made me a new creation through his sacrificial death redeeming blood and Resurrection he is the number one reason I am able to boldly overcome and persevere through life's raging tumultuous storms I remember freshman year I fear the
011future the future essays exams everything I never thought I'd withstand but I had a commitment to keep when I was 12 I watched my mother pass away due to cancer seconds before I whispered in her ear that I would not give up although she is not physically present her prayers Legacy and advice remain she persevered and had Joy despite the pain she suffered from cancer I strive to endure as well with the same joy and peace she had these past couple of years were not easy many of us struggled immensely each a different struggle some from keeping up from school work others from rejection loss of family members depression suicidal thoughts or mental illnesses most if not all of us have been put down by others or had at least one other person tell us
012that will never amount to anything don't let the negative comments dictate your life they are lies that must be thrown out of your mind you're not a lost cause you were born for a purpose surround yourself with people who care for you and don't belittle you a wise proverb says Bad Company perhaps good habits and character I learned this the hard way my mental state sophomore year almost deteriorated completely because I surrounded myself with the wrong people truth is the wrong crowd will bring you down be selective with those you surround yourself with be with people who genuinely care for you people who do not let you continue in a downtrodden state but rather lift you up if you don't have those types of friends they're not real friends I'd like to end with this
013short poem I recently wrote one day it goes like this you were given life for a reason you were not an accident don't listen to the lies that tell you opposite you are worthy you are loved your name is precious to God who Reigns above you have a purpose in life you have the means to fulfill it always have hope and never ever quit class of 2023 remember you survive this far you can definitely keep going congratulations and God bless [Applause] thank you Phoebe I'm happy to introduce our next speaker from the top one percent tonight Mr Diego Botello [Applause] give another round of applause for Phoebe a kid walks into high school coming from a district that wasn't even relevant to his new school at all he knew nobody except for his sister and
014two cousins his best friend was shyness and his enemy was boldness just when he thought I couldn't get any worse he meant pain he thought of he was done for pain had destroyed his work ethic and even his desires to be successful as he once was his only remedy was to blame everything on kovid but Junior came junior year came around and this company mechanism just wouldn't fly anymore the boy would meet a particular teacher that would change his path the boy and the teacher argued a lot at first but the teacher's Immortal faith in his student even when that same student didn't believe in himself was a miracle that he needed to say the least the boy changed completely his work ethic improved he became a social animal and most important he believed in
015himself again I know many of you might have similar stories because this was mine the person you see today is a matured version of that boy that is why I want to send a special thank you to Mr Blankenship for being the teacher who changed my story and thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me I promise to keep growing and continues to strive for the best version of myself as should all of you here today foreign special is hermanosas [Applause] shout out to all my friends in the audience we had a lot of very funny moments to say the least I'm proud of all of you and hope to continue achieving great things [Applause] thank you Diego now the final student from our top one percent is Mr August 2. could
016we get another round of applause for Diego [Applause] lower your expectations only got two minutes good morning friends families honor guests teachers admins in the class of 2023. my name is August 2 and on behalf of the class of 2023 special appreciations for faculty staff teachers and parents for making all this happen I love you Mom and Dad couldn't do it without you guys I also thank God as I give this honorable speech as we spend an hour and 15 minutes here today to recognize the fact that we met the requirements of the government today we prepare ourselves to internet the unknown before us according to Xander the fabled real world armed with all the knowledge gained in high school to prepare for us like divining polynomials analyzing 18th century poetry or the mitochondria you
017know the things that adults do in their daily lives all the time my message here today as we tread into the vast ocean is to continue growing and put value into knowledge as Leonardo da Vinci once said he who loves practice without theory is like a sailor who boards a ship without a writer and compass and never knows where he may cast don't let these years a built up learning go to waste I'd also like to mention that the class of 2023 has been deemed the lamest class by many senior teachers thank you senior teachers for giving us many opportunities that are undeserving but you guys always saw potential on us I like to say that I think I'm speaking for the class of 23 when I say we haven't picked it and we're just
018late bloomers like Jack Harlow said we're still out here getting cuter today isn't the day you begin a New Journey rather a day for you to continue your journey you will be the same tomorrow as you are today most of our Journeys began way back when you're five going through the school bookstore not picking up the books that had the high reading levels but the ones with the really really nice accessories like Let It Go Ninjagos or those Minecraft books now we walk to the bookstore with our head held down picking up the mandatory textbooks that are thicker and more expensive than our bank accounts hey don't walk out of here blind use those challenges you overcame and experiences you made to guide you no matter how different our Patriot Journeys were together we are
019also Patriots my last message is for my current people and current excellence again at last class of 2023 let's continue writing our stories as we did throughout four years at Independence embark on your journey and do so with your education and knowledge from here as an armor and guide congratulations class of 2023 thank you [Applause] thank you August now I'm happy to welcome our student body president miss Olivia tena what's up patrons my name is Olivia Taylor and I had the honor to be your student body president this year I want to congratulate all of you for being here today class of 2023 we've made it or that friend who actually did their work but we're all here in the safe place for one last time I want to give a huge thanks to Administration
020teachers friends and family for helping us get to the stage I would like to personally thank Commander Foster miss salira and miss Marshall for pushing me to be here today mucho Caso 2023 there's so many things I would like to say yes so little time after a long four years we've made it we're here took a chapter in our own book it's time to leave this behind and start a life that people call adulthood you know whatever that is as you go to this new chapter remember to be optimistic about the things that occur in your life and remember that it's okay to not be okay it's also okay to make mistakes because we are learning as we go when you see someone cute walking down the street compliment their hair compliment their shoes because
021you never know what can happen get out of your comfort zone and live life while you still can when we first came here as freshmen looking for yellow stairs they all told us that junior year was going to be a challenge yet no one prepared us for a disease that affects 99 of seniors and if you don't know what I'm talking about you're probably in the lucky one percent the disease goes around all year long and it affects those who least expect it it gets difficult to get out of bed every morning it's easy to just not go to school the assignments can be turned in later or even worse the submission button disappears some of us were really struggling two weeks ago there were around 150 of us that were not going to be
022here listening to my beautiful boys but I'm happy to say that most of us are here because we were able to defeat the disease that is known as senioritis or senioritis was so bad we couldn't get together for a senior ditch day but now we go our separate ways and we might never see each other again I wish you guys the best class of 2023 before I go I want to leave you guys with a quote from a Mexican boxer that came from nothing and it's not considered a legend I'm very happy with what I've accomplished but we're going for more by Canelo Alvarez don't give up now because our success is just starting this is Miss press officially signing out [Applause] thank you for those speeches ladies and gentlemen and congratulations again to our
023top one percent students now I would like to recognize the top 10 percent of our graduating class whose names are designated in your program please stand if you are in the top 10 percent of your graduating class [Applause] please be seated now I want to say thank you to a special group of Independence High School students if you have enlisted to serve in our Armed Forces please stand to be recognized [Applause] thank you for your service now I would like to bring up Glendale Union High School District governing board member Laura arita good morning everyone buenos dias my name is Laura arita as Clerk of the governing board of the Glendale Union High School District I feel fortunate for the opportunity to address our guest of honor The Graduate graduating class of Independence High School
024thank you seniors you did it you made it this ceremony is designed to Mark the end of one face of your lives in the beginning of the next there are those who believe that today is the day you start your journey but if you think about it the journey began a long time ago looking back has any of you realize that you are the Freshman Class that was cut short thanks to the unannounced Global pandemic I'm certain that's I'm certain that that's not what you envisioned your first high school year to be like you were forced at a young age to be mentally strong and to face challenges out of your control such as figuring out how to succeed academically behind that Chromebook screen or learning how to socially adapt as we all transition back
025to the to the in-person setting that many of us dreamed about before we get ready to transition one more time be proud of what you have accomplished in the last four years of high school and the treasures and treasure the memories and friendships friendships you gained along the way have pride but be humble with humility give thanks to those who have walked beside you whether they are here physically or looking at you from up above in closing no matter how your journey started you have made it here today where the path you have traveled splits into 376 unique roads as tomorrow awaits to unfall in front of each and every one of you make it your goal to Masters life's biggest transitions while being the best version of yourself graduates on behalf of all the
026members of the governing board of Glenda Union High School District I want to say congratulations class of 2023. [Applause] board member arita it's my honor as principal of Independence High School to certify that these students have met the requirements for graduation as set forth by the state of Arizona and the Glendale Union High School District accordingly I present this class to Lara arita of the Glendale Union High School District governing board Miss arita I respectfully request that you accept these graduates and that you and Mr capistran confer diplomas upon them as a member of the governing board of the Glendale Union High School District and the authority vested in Me by the Constitution and loss of the State of Arizona I accept and confirm that the independence class High School class of 2023 has met
027the graduation requirements established by the Glendale Union High School District governing board Mr Ambrose please present the graduates to receive their diplomas [Applause] seniors front row seniors please stand make your way to this make your way to the stairs Brenda Rodriguez Aguirre Alexis torrealva Logan Marcos Sammons Marissa Noel wood Nayeli angel verabruno Eileen munguia Madison Nicole slivnick Macy Renee Keenan Delia Bibiana angel Nicholas Wayne Thompson Andrea Pina navrrete Arty Russell McGinty Jr Sabina Sochi Cantu Vlad Isabel Martinez Aaliyah Imani grampton Ingrid Michelle Trujillo Elisa Fernandez Alvarado Daniel Ramirez Stacy Leon [Music] Kian camdrell Martin Jeanette Jasmine parajas Olivia tena Tatiana Juanita Thomas August 2. Kashmir marchani Morris Diego Botello Destiny and Sanders [Music] Phoebe cyclavon Dynasty Yvette Sanders [Music] Alberto Mora Trinidad Malia Lynette Thompson Amber Perez Oliver Janelle Johnson Devin Rose Smith Ariana Paula
028puribarios Christian morrones David Barajas Jennifer Guadalupe Vasquez Quinones Diana Paula Lara Maritza Serrano Rey David Beltran Abram magayanes Maria Isabel arteleo Soto [Music] Quinones Denise Isabel borja chaparro Jasmine orantia de Leon Trinity Caroline Delgado Jocelyn orantia de Leon Ben Diane benion Joshua James Matthews Symphony Evanescence borondo Davion Xavier Ranger Swit Nicholas Salvatore Cameron Joseph Ralph Smith Madison Mackenzie hopelman Jose Antonio Martinez Avila Ian Alberto Chavez Sebastian Velasco Pacheco Travian Maurice Daryl Brown net win Landon Timothy Goss Corey Juarez Lopez Gallego Rico Aguayo Michael ion Gonzalez Eric Armando urrea Juan Carlos Umberto Bueno Robert Allen Young III Nathan Clemente Esparza Luis Enrique Valencia Quintero Victor Francisco Benitez [Music] Aziza Salah Trinity Daniela Contreras Amy The Rock Levi Jacob Cipher ion Xavion Webb Nicolas galavis Apodaca kimon Latrell Walton Julio Francisco Flores Diaz monolay favor lay you
029Josue de me chiles Alize Marie Montes David echeveria Morgan Kaylee Morales Castillo Muhammad al-maleki Monique mondras Felicity Antonia cotton Naomi medley Lopez granillo Miranda Manuela anguiano estefania Ortega Marquez David candelario Flores Gloria lukanda chibidin chibinda Jesus Alberto Perez Israel Garcia Samaria Elijah Jamiah Johnson Alexander Quinton Adkins Tatiana Michaela McLeod Alan Gutierrez Perez Victoria arshana Perkins Ezekiel Ajay Carrasco Sebastian nunion so Isola Osvaldo Rafael rocas Yosef Burgos Josefina Garcia Ethan alizar Munoz Louis Xavier Hernandez Anthony zagal Valdez Cassandra Rosa Garcia Trinity black Kevin Lopez Jose Felix Alejandro Perez Navarro Jose Reyes Jaden Pena Emma Jody Esperanza Devin Michael Taylor Isabel Elena Chavez Antonio Pearson Nadia gamara Alonso Olivas andasola Edgar Coral Vargas Alfonso Olivas andasola Christopher Augustine gudino Jose Angelo Brian fragoso Benedict Medina Camilo Aguilar Omar Prado Toledo Francesco Garza Andrew Marquez Evan lios benali
030Henry Benjamin Sanchez Ronaldo Garcia Jonathan Meneses Bosa Antonio Alexander Franco Muro Diego Arturo Loya Luna Jesus Xavier Franco Lino Ricardo Trejo Leslie caparron Campos Magdalena Guadalupe Luna Eileen Garcia Maritza Luna Valenzuela Armen gaidos Vanessa Lopez Palma Anthony David panda Daniela navarrete Garcia marima fofana Adan guadalupeo uzo makunda bakun dukizi Marie pedrego Jada Heaven Dennis Joseph Anthony Perez Fantasia Renee Felton Zaya Arie Ruiz Aaliyah Lanell Hardin Javier Jr Lorenzo Xavier Franklin David Maurice Williams Jr Christiane wicho Michael Jarrell Walker Jr Juan Antonio Carrasco Martinez Rogelio Velasco Kevin Rodriguez Arambula I Navarro Joaquin Canales Marie Cruz Jazz Nelly suluaga Kevin Omar Correa Emilia Abigail Sepeda kariana Sedano navares Elizabeth and Danielle Molina Hernandez Serena Marie Monahan Leilani Garcia Gomez lady Veronica Valencia Castro Yasmine Belen Flores Maria Sophia Alejandra Moyes Gladys Hernandez Cirillo Samantha Angelica Moyes Ismael
031arvayo Rivera Essence Saunders Esmeralda Garcia Arana Cielo Alexandra para Candia Giselle Lou Camacho uraga fatumata pipa Camano Araceli apaez Garcia Pimentel Juana Lucy Francisco Francisco Gabriel Lee Flores Maria Fernanda Vargas Tapia medelli Evelyn Aguilar Rivera Jew a cool Mayan agak bigot Sher and later Jayden Janae Estelle Cody Austin Kenny Evelyn Delgado hakis Jorge Mario velarde Reyes Julie Ashlynn Goodman Wendy Rojas Miranda Elena Camille Flores William Michael Randall Dana Paula areola isaia Mateo Castle Isaac Dominguez Jose Roque Escobedo Stephen Matthew suchine Ricardo castellum Garcia Alexis Rene Pina Army Lou Foster Michael Andrew Torres Barajas paraceli Natalie farias Lozano Angelica Ave Tewksbury Isabella Marie Guzman Madison suede Rocha Charles Gillum Jonah Kane copy here is Christian Giovanni Rivas Rivera Muhammad Omar al-kuri Nathan Andrew Miranda Raymundo David Garcia Luigi de la Flor Santiago Ulysses aparicio Garcia Adrian
032Terrazas Reyes Berta Maricela Gonzalez [Applause] Manuel Ramos galavis Caitlin Brooke Helen devaney Daniel paramo Giuseppe calogino Avalos Freddie Alexander Torres Marina Ramon Alberto Mendoza Lisa Gabriela Carrillo is Joseph palmillas Lozano Dana Aguilar Hernandez Desi Leilani Trio Gonzalez Lucero foreign Garcia Hernandez Christine Angelina Rose Andrade Angela Amelie Frankel Flores Oliver Tristan Gomez Valeria Quintero Corinthia Emily Bowden but Kelly Michaela Brooke wall Angela Carolina Barajas Ariana Lee Mueller Anna Marie Nicole Frank Flor Martinez Marquez Sophie Alexis Alvarado Liliana Marie Samaniego Devion Kareem Armstrong Heidi Yasmine para Lopez armaan Ahmad Haven Lee Scarborough Kevin Antonio Mendoza Kenneth Alfonso Zoe Scott shamarian Lazar Augusta Helen in when Diaz Wang Kim Lee Christina Angelique Gallegos Brandi Marie Martinez Aiden Nicholas gradillas let's see Paola talamantes die win Faith Teo Miguel Angel Hernandez Denison Emmanuel Perez monsoon Myra centeno fuertes Steve
033Soriano Santos Alexis Gamino Mendoza Karina Verdugo Gutierrez Caitlin Eileen Gillum Lara Jonathan Alvarez Contreras Vega David degante Axel Dariel Torres guardea Pedro Manuel Carmona Santana Villalobos Cortes Dylan Daniel Correa Gomez Alexis Suarez Antonio Garcia Gutierrez Mario Jr Valdez Mejia Leonardo Giovanni Gomez Israel Perez Mark Alvarez [Applause] Jacob Manuel Solorio Joseline Fierro Ruben Zamora destiny arseniega Lexi Javon Rojo Ivan Gutierrez Paola Resa Beltran Benjamin Benavides we see Danica Beltran Palafox Israel Ernie Leon Alejandro Beltran granados Saul Alexander Robles III Jared Chavez Enriquez Flores Robert ortelano Seligman Denise Adriana Castro Cisneros Luis Daniel losada nor gambi Anna Fernanda Lucero Gladys Aguirre Caballero Alexis Rivas Esquibel dioselina Gonzalez Luna Uriel Ismail Ramirez magana Isaac haciel Ramirez Liliane Garcia Ponce Jonathan Ortiz Chavez Francia duenas Alison Jimenez Garcia Alexandra Flor Gallegos Cervantes Ronaldo Nevarez Villarreal Stephanie Joseline Ramos Gomez
034Michelle iturbe karime Varela Fabiola ceballos Marin Adrian Manuel Hernandez Bustamante janeth Ortega Greg delgarillo Ezekiel Reyna Daniel Garcia Damar Alexia Rodriguez Madrigal Sierra Yadira chaverim Mia Serrano Chavez Daniel Alegria Jorge lomeli foreign [Applause] Pena Samir Gonzalez Marroquin Damien David Moreno Juan Eduardo Ferrer Perla Diana Soto Luna [Music] Ali say Celine Martinez Jose Alejandro aroche Rosa Ruby Esmeralda Soto Felix Octavio dorta Cascon Ashanti Paris Stevenson Carlos Ayala Flores Asia Marie Weaver Irvin Jesus Cantu Roman Niger tremel Wright Jr Kevin Michael Ayala Navarro Justin Leonardo Samora Mario Abraham Gomez Perez Andres Alejandro Robles Kimberly Alicia coyasso yariza Anais Ponce Eva Fernandez Estrada Iceland is Michelle Barajas Marquez [Music] Trujillo Kimberly Acuna Jocelyn Mejia Ariana Angelina Hernandez Adrian Aurelio monhei Gutierrez [Music] Torres [Applause] seniors please stand [Applause] seniors at this time it's tradition that you move your
035tassel from the right side to the left to signify that you have graduated ladies and gentlemen I give you the graduated class of 2023. congratulations seniors [Applause] all right seniors you're going to make your way out the back right to go get your diplomas don't forget you go back outright your parents will meet you at gate five out the back that way ladies and gentlemen thank you [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music]