Galt grads rejoice, remember friends

Galt High School seniors celebrate during the graduation ceremony June 6 at the school’s stadium. (Mary Min Vincent/News-Sentinel)

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel staff writer

It was a night of exhilaration, somber feelings and levity Thursday as 315 seniors decked in a sea of red received their diplomas at Galt High School and seemed ready to face the world.

Graduating seniors rejoiced as they occasionally batted a beach ball as their classmates’ names were called to get their diploma. One student even rang a Sacramento Kings cowbell after receiving his diploma.

And fireworks — a tradition at Galt High graduation ceremonies — filled the evening skies after the final student crossed the stage to receive his diploma.

But some tears were shed as well as students spoke about the memory of Jesus “Jesse” Ochoa, 18, who died Dec. 9, six days after he was involved in an auto accident on Peltier Road, east of Bender Road in Acampo.

Tears were also shed as students thought about Michael Wold, who remains in a Marin County rehabilitation center after being critically injured in an auto accident Feb. 9 on Interstate 80 near Alta in Placer County.

Graduating senior Johanna Alatorre told about her friendship with Ochoa, a quiet student whose passion was soccer.

“Even though Jesse is not with us tonight, he will be in our hearts and minds forever,” Alatorre said.

Alatorre eventually lost her composure and asked fellow graduate Richard Morales to finish. Morales spoke about Ochoa in Spanish as well.

Senior Class President Karin Messersmith described Wold, 18, as “No. 52 on the football field, No. 1 in our hearts, my best friend, always had the ability to make you laugh, and was always good for a smile. Our superman is improving daily.”

Wold’s mother, Rosemary Wold, said her son is conscious, has been breathing without a respirator for several months and has begun to follow commands as part of a possible one-year rehabilitation process.

Wold was critically injured in an auto accident Feb. 9 in Placer County. “He’s come a long way from where he was,” Rosemary Wold said. “He wasn’t supposed to live through the night.”

On a lighter note, Sadie Stetson, Galt’s senior class vice president, wondered aloud during the ceremony, “Have you ever wondered how much weight was lost and gained throughout the years, or how many different colors and hairstyles there have been or what really goes on in the guys’ locker room before a game?”

Two awards were announced during Thursday’s graduation. The Audrey O. Reed Award was given to Robert McCammant for loyalty and service above and beyond the call of duty, Principal Larry Tosta said.

The citizenship award was given to Quin Martin, whom Tosta described as an “exceptionally caring and kind person. His ethics and integrity are beyond reproach.”

Senior class treasurer Amelia Moreno and student body representative Kyle Bown announced the class gift, a mural of Galt High’s alma mater on the south side of the Nottoli Dome. The mural will be similar to one at Warriors Gym, a gift of the Galt High Class of 1999.

Valedictorian Sunny Stansbury credited counselor Marlene Goldsberry for helping Stansbury achieve during her four years at Galt High.

“You have shown me that I can do things when I honestly thought I couldn’t,” Stansbury told Goldsberry. “You pushed me off cliffs so many times. Because of you and your pushing, I now have everything I need to continue flying, and I intend to.”