"I feel so relieved,? said Candy Phalen

CLASS OF 2008

BY LESLIE ANDREWS DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- has hopes to become a pediatrician. The sounds of laughter, cheers and "Please use this hope to guide you music filled the air Wednesday night towards your futures,? she advised. at the Desert Hot Springs High Dr. Milt Jones, the school's prin- School campus as 331 seniors recipal and Dr. Lorri McCune, the suceived their diplomas after a fourperintendent gave speeches to the year job well done. class as well. Dr. McCune told stu- The ceremonies began with a dents to imagine themselves in the colorguard presented by the school's year 2052 and to see if they have Marine Corps ROTC and the made a difference in the world. She, school's Concert Choir singing "You along with the board members of Raise Me Up?. The school's jazz Palm Springs Unified School Dis- band played an instrumental version trict handed out the diplomas. At the of Lynard Skynard's "Free Bird? as end of the ceremony, all of the class well. teachers gathered in a circle for the Amongst the many who graduat- Tassel ceremony, in which many stued, at least six of them had scores of dents tossed their hats up in the air. a 4.0 grade point average or higher. James Moron, the Senior Class These individuals were considered President, reflected on what it was Distinguished Scholars, and two of like to start school way back in Kin- them spoke during the ceremonies. dergarten. "Entering high school was Gabriela Mendoza, the Class of 2008 like kindergarten all over again,? he Valedictorian thanked her parents for said. "All of the confusion came their support in bringing her to the- back, but we lived through it.? atre classes, as she wishes to minor Desert Local News spoke to one in Theatre Arts and major in Interna- girl who seemed very happy to gradtional Relations at Pomona College. uate that night. "I feel so relieved,? "I know you can do it,? she said to said Candy Phalen, who is now seek- her class. ing to go to Orange Coast College in Rita Sandoval, the class's Salutatorian, will be attending Stanford University, studying Biology and Costa Mesa. Her family agrees.