Thursday - 5/13
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
CLICK HERE to listen as the rest of the graduates are announced. Mr. Woods continued reading names. He went through the names that began with I through K. Then were the M names.
WOODS: Enrique Javier Morales.
Ricky’s family, Allie and several others clapped.
WOODS: Mandella Roberta Morales.
Again, many people, including Manny’s family, Ricky, Allie and others clapped. As they returned to their seats, Manny and Ricky hugged. Quite a bit later, Mr. Woods came to last names that began with S.
WOODS: Meadow Victoria Shaw.
There were several claps from the audience, and a few from the student body, though less than Shaw felt she deserved. As she had done for him, Tristan gave a polite clap.
WOODS: Congratulations.
SHAW: No hard feelings.
Mr. Woods looked momentarily perplexed by Shaw’s response, but recovered quickly and continued reading names until coming to W.
WOODS: Meadow Emily West.
Tara, Silver, Johnny, Cole, Allie and several others clapped. West shook hands with Mr. Woods and returned to her seat as the announcing of names wrapped up. After ending the Z names, and all of the students sat down, Mr. Woods looked out at his fellow students.
WOODS: This concludes the handing out of diplomas. Before we leave, however, I have a few more words to say. As your valedictorian, Meadow West, pointed out, this is the closing of one chapter of your lives, as well as the beginning of another. The future is in your hands, make sure it is a good one. Believe in yourselves. Dream big, and try hard to achieve those dreams. Most importantly, do good. I have no doubt that you will. Just one last thing, I’d like all of my students to stand up, please.
The entire graduating class stood up. Some of them were confused, not entirely sure where this was going. Some, however, knew. Either from having older siblings who they’d seen graduate, or friends who’d told them about this part.
WOODS: I’d like you to take a look around you. At the people in front of you, behind you, beside you. Most of you have known these people for much of your lives. It is a sad fact that you will likely never see half of the people in this room again. So take this moment, soak it in.
The students looked around the room at all of the other people in caps and gowns. After a moment, they all turned their attention back to Mr. Woods.
WOODS: Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present Salem High School’s Class of 2021!
The gymnasium of Salem High erupted with applause, both from the audience and the graduates. Many of them threw their caps into the air, then caught them. They all spent the next several minutes hugging each other and saying their goodbyes.
RICKY: We made it!
ALLIE: We sure did! It’s been...awesome! I’m so glad I met you guys on my first day! If anyone had to show me around, I’m glad it was you.
MANNY: Chica, stop. You’re gonna make me cry.
Allie and Manny hugged.
RICKY: Hey, it’s not like we’re never gonna see each other again.
ALLIE: Nope. Actually, we might be seeing each other more often this summer. At least, I hope we do.
RICKY: Me too.
Ricky and Allie hugged, and kissed each other on the cheek.
MANNY: So, you two are official?
RICKY: We’re still taking things slowly.
ALLIE: But, we’re liking where this is going.
WEST: Horton.
Allie turned around.
WEST: Thanks again for helping my sister last night.
ALLIE: No problem. Congrats on making valedictorian. I liked your speech.
WEST: Thanks. So, we’ll probably be seeing more of each other in future.
ALLIE: I assume so.
WEST: Cool. It’ll be nice getting to know you.
ALLIE: You too.
West smiled, then walked away. Tristan and Johnny gave each other a bro hug.
TRISTAN: Congrats, man.
JOHNNY: You too, dude. It’s been cool hanging out with you again this year. You’re still gonna be here for the summer, right?
TRISTAN: For sure. Don’t worry, we’ll hang out before I head out to Ann Arbor.
JOHNNY: Cool.
They shook hands, then fist bumped. As Johnny turned, he saw the same figure that he had seen when he got his diploma. He began to walk towards the figure, but was soon intercepted.
E.J.: Congratulations, my son.
JOHNNY: Thank you, Father.
Johnny looked over again, but the figure had disappeared.
E.J.: Everything alright?
JOHNNY: Yeah, fine. Just thought I saw...doesn’t matter.
E.J. gave him a knowing smile, but changed it to a more generic one as Sami, Lucas, Will, Allie and Sydney approached.
SAMI: There you are! Congratulations, sweetheart!
LUCAS: We’re proud of you, man.
JOHNNY: Thanks, Mom. Lucas.
Sami hugged Johnny. Tony and Chad joined the group and congratulated both Johnny and Allie, as did the others. Then, the twins looked at each other.
JOHNNY: Allie.
ALLIE: Johnny.
JOHNNY: Congratulations.
ALLIE: You too.
They stared at each other for a moment, then pulled each other into a hug.
SYDNEY (quietly): Wow. This must be a miracle.
Will chuckled slightly and ruffled Sydney’s hair.
SAMI: The party’s in an hour at the Pub.
TONY: Yes, I’ve been meaning to thank you for the invitation. Anna and I will be there.
CHAD: As will Abigail, Thomas and I.
SAMI (under her breath): Great.
Lucas put an arm around her and she cleared her throat.
LUCAS: We’ll see the six of you there, then.
E.J.: Wonderful.
JOHNNY: Can I ride with you, Father?
E.J.: As long as your mother agrees, of course you can.
Sami considered.
SAMI: Sure. That’d be fine. We’ll see you in a bit.
LUCAS: Hang on, we’ve gotta get the picture first.
SAMI: Right. We just need someone to take it.
ALLIE: I’ll be right back.
Allie ran over to a group of people, and a moment later came back with Ricky.
ALLIE: Thank you so much for this!
RICKY: No problem! I’m happy to do it!
ALLIE: Okay, you’ve already met Johnny, Sydney and my parents. This is my older brother Will, and Johnny’s dad, E.J., and his uncles, Tony and Chad. Everyone, this is Ricky.
LUCAS: Ricky, good to see you again.
RICKY: You too, Mr. and Mrs. Horton. Nice to meet you all.
SAMI: We heard you had a great time at the dance last night.
RICKY: I did. Allie’s a really good dancer.
Allie went slightly pink.
RICKY: So, you guys need a picture taken, I hear?
E.J.: That’s very kind of you, Ricky.
Everyone gathered around Allie and Johnny. It took a few minutes to figure out what formation they would all be in, but soon they worked it out and Ricky took their picture.
WILL: Thanks again for doing that, man. And congratulations.
RICKY: Thanks. It was nice meeting you all. See you soon, Allie?
ALLIE: Definitely. Thanks again, Ricky.
They hugged one last time and Ricky walked back to his family.
CHAD: If you guys want a few more pictures, you know one with the four siblings, one with the parents, that sort of thing, I’d be happy to take over camera duty.
SAMI: That would be great. Thank you, Chad.
Sami handed the camera to Chad, and he took several pictures with various group formations. One of just Allie and Johnny, one of them with Will and Sydney. One of Allie, Sami and Lucas. One of Johnny, Sami and E.J., and one of Johnny and Allie with Sami, Lucas and E.J., as well as several other formations.
SAMI: Well, we should probably be getting to the party.
ALLIE: Awesome!
JOHNNY: Let’s go!
Whoa! Marlena had to have slipped her something. LOL.