Small graduating class of 40 has a lifetime of memories

The next generation of doctors, teachers, journalists, welders, mechanics and cosmetologists graduated from Foresthill High School on Saturday morning. The class will spread itself like a wildfire across the country, with students attending Alabama, University of Southern California, South Carolina, Colorado State, Cal Poly and others. The Wildfires had just 40 students in their graduating class, and they prefer it to be small. "Having a class of 40 students has been an opportunity like no other. Our small class has created an environment of friendship and mutual respect and has made the size of our class our biggest strength," said USC-bound Aemon Aldrich, one of four valedictorians. "We are intertwined with our friendships, and that makes us stronger. And we have changed the culture of Foresthill High School for the better." Graduates gave speeches, reminiscing on their best memories of the last four years. Students gave shout-outs to their teachers, coaches and family members that helped tread the treacherous waters of high school. "Support played an instrumental role in the growth of our class and shaping us and who we are today," said Makayla Stallman, another valedictorian. "Each of us has had our own unique experience at Foresthill, and a combination of good times and bad times, times of laughter and joy. But through it all, I feel as if we can find a common ground of knowing we were supported." Principal Danise Hitchcock sent off her students with parting words in her speech, saying, "You will always carry with you the connections you made with your teammates and coaches. You shared with me how much you've grown by all of your high school experiences, while your teachers see you as great role models for the underclassmen. Through strong resolve and persistence, you have grown in self-belief and self-esteem. As you head off to college, the military or workplace, you will take this growth, these memories and this belief in yourself with you." Foresthill High School Class of 2022 Aemon Aldrich Caleb Aldrich Jesse Baker Lilyan Brewer Aria Britton-Hartley Jeffrey Brooks Eric Brow Alton Brown Caleb Byers Clay Cantrell Mylee Chatterton Paul Clifford Aleek Corcuera Connor Crawford Brayden Durand Jason Ensey Luis Giles-Meraz Kiernan Hammer Ethan Hilt Teya Hope Allison Jones Cameron Kaestner Kaden Kampa Kole Keon Kaylee Kowalczyk Jacob Lee Alisara Lembcke Kennedy Lundquist Heidi Lysen Kaiden McCafferty Lucas McElmeel Kemper Mora Melina Padilla Sierra San Gregorio Joseph Solorio Makayla Stallman Quinton Thompson Luke Trejo Allysa Trimble Lilian Watkins