Hats off

After the tassels turned and the caps flew high in the air, family and friends rushed the arena floor to embrace their graduates.

CMI photo: Tony Bullocks

Members of the Portales High School class of 2012 toss their caps into the air during the conclusion of Friday night's graduation ceremony at Greyhound Arena in Portales.

That final walk across that stage symbolizes what Portales High School seniors have been waiting for all year and what parents fear the most, a new chapter in their life.

Portales High School graduated 197 students Friday night in Eastern New Mexico University's Greyhound Arena. The emotional ceremony brought tears and smiles to graduates and their loved ones.

Kristie Terry says her son Teegan Terry continues to contribute to their family's legacy at PHS. He is the third generation to graduate from PHS and his younger siblings will follow.

"It's wonderful, it's sad but it's wonderful," said a choked up Kristie Terry, who she describes her son as loving, funny, and helpful to others. "If anybody needs anything, he's that guy."

As emotional as his mother was, Teegan was quite the opposite about his big day.

"Graduation was good," said Teegan non-chalantly. He's already focused on getting through college at ENMU. He plans to be a teacher.

R.G. Schurman drove with his wife about nine hours from Wyoming to see his main elk hunting partner — granddaughter Samantha Schurman — graduate.

His vehicle broke down before the couple left Cheyenne, Wyo., but he said nothing could stop him from seeing his granddaughter cross that stage.

Samantha Schurman wore tight curls and a grand smile when taking pictures with her grandparents, but she was sad because her father, an airman, couldn't make her graduation because duty called.

CMI photo: Tony Bullocks

Portales graduate Teegan Terry, center, presents his diploma to his parents, Michael Terry, left, and Kristie Terry after Friday night's graduation ceremony.

"It kind of stinks but I know he's proud of me," she said. "He'd be hugging me, congratulating me and he'd probably be crying if he were here."

She was happy to have the rest of her family there from home because she said they have been her support system all through high school.

PHS senior Allison Segovia thought Jay-Z's "Forever Young" was a perfect song to describe their graduating class. The class sang the song in unison moments before a prayer and the end of the ceremony.

"Everyone wants to be forever young and it symbolizes what high school was for me," said Segovia who plans to study pre-pharmacy at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces because of her love for math and science.

Raul Valladares is also interested in the medical field. He plans to study at Clovis Community College to become a nurse.

"I just think it would be fun to poke people," joked Valladares. But his real desire is to help others.

CMI photo: Tony Bullocks

Portales graduate David Rodriguez and star pitcher on Portales' Class 3A championship baseball team, strikes a pose after receiving his diploma at Greyhound Arena.

As the flashes went off in his eyes from the photos his mother was taking, Valladares said the fact that he graduated still hasn't registered with him.

"It was pretty nerve-wracking," Valladares said about walking the stage.