Redington celebrates 2024 graduation

WASILLA— Redington Junior Senior High School's Class of 2024 celebrated its graduation at the Menard Sports Center Wednesday, May 15.

Master of Ceremonies Saydi Cardoso congratulated her fellow graduates for reaching this pivotal moment in their lives.

“This is our day. Today we celebrate each other while we take the opportunity to thank those who helped us get here,” Cardoso said. “Redington is a small community and I have cherished being a part of it. We are no strangers to each other and we all had the opportunity over the past years to become strong together and to become strong as individuals.”

Cardoso said their journey to graduation was filled with numerous highs and lows. She said this important occasion marks the beginning of a whole new adventure.

“We had our moments of greatness and we had our moments of struggles… We have worked to get where we are today,” Cardoso said. “Graduation should not be viewed as the end goal. It should be the end of the chapter in your origin story. The story will go on and this achievement is just the starting point for future achievements. Remember to keep celebrating your accomplishments… Write your next chapter with a smile and remember to take advantage of every day you are given because the future guarantees nothing.”

Valedictorian Mailani Lelesio-Duarte told her fellow graduates that they have a lot to look forward to, and they all had numerous people who helped them get to where they are.

“As we focus on becoming greater individuals, do so with the recognition that each path is paved exclusively for you,” Lelesio-Duarte said. “Embrace your timeline, your growth, who you are, and who you have yet to become. Reflecting on our last moments as Huskies, let cherish the trials we have overcome, the lessons we learned, and the individuals who have supported us along the way… Thank you for making us great, pushing us through life's mysterious adventures, and for being present throughout our high school careers.”

Keynote speaker Benjamin Parker shared some parting wisdom for the 2024 graduates. He encouraged them to live their lives to the fullest.

“Get out there and live. Do not simply exist… Be the busiest person, period. Go home tired knowing you gave it your all. Learn from every experience. End up in a job you enjoy. Okay? This is your life after all… Truly living is a lifestyle. Lifestyles must be afforded,” Parker said. “My hope is that you'll be mostly surrounded by love, kindness, grace, and success. In every situation, you get to make what you think is the wisest decision and see how it plays out. But knowing a bunch of you, I think you guys are going to do just fine.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com