Del Oro's 2023 class brought spirit back to the school

More than 400 students lined the track at Del Oro High School on Saturday morning as thousands of friends, family and faculty filed into Golden Eagle Stadium in anticipation of the school's 62nd commencement ceremony. The Class of 2023 was one unlike any other to don the black and gold. Their freshman year began like any other but was quickly turned upside down in spring 2020 by a global pandemic. After a sophomore year full of uncertainty, social distancing and mask requirements, the students finally had a sense of normalcy for their junior year. Entering as seniors last fall, the Class of 2023 had one goal: to bring back the school spirit that Del Oro lost in 2020. The seniors were able to rekindle some of that spirit Del Oro has become synonymous with over the years with activities such as unique spirit weeks, welcome events for the incoming freshmen and special themes in the Black Hole for sporting events. While more than 400 students had their names called, two members of the class were there in spirit. In July 2022, Evan Parker and Colin Crocker were tragically killed in a vehicle accident on SR-193. To honor their fallen classmates, the Class of 2023 put out two special seats, occupied by just a cap, gown and sunflower. The graduation ceremony got underway with ASB President Jaylen Hawkins reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before senior choir and ASL students sang and signed the National Anthem. Principal Kim Berry spoke to the graduates before passing the reins to her successor, Nick Zerwas, as she prepares to fill a district position next year. Co-Valedictorians Lucion Mathews and Jack Swantko reminisced on their four years at Del Oro in their speech. After the graduates accepted their diplomas and moved their tassels, the Class of 2023 sang one final fight song to mark the end of their high school careers and the beginning of their next chapter.