Page 1 - Reedley Exponent 6-7-18 E-edition

A rare musical interlude for Reedley High Symphonic Band
Panorama
Vol. 129, No. 23 | Thursday, June 7, 2018
Hope, potential for future
Galpin, Gutierrez leave a sports legacy at Immanuel High
Sports
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Reedley High School
honors 320 graduates
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz
felicia@midvalleypublishing.com
Reedley High School’s 118th annual graduation cer- emony on May 31 could be distinguished by a single theme — a milestone in the journey of 320 young men and women heading into the future with hope and po- tential.
The reference to the journey could be heard throughout the evening. Before the ceremony began at the RHS stadium, senior Daniel Badilla talked about the hard work — including sleepless nights to keep “pushing through” — to earn his diploma.
“It’s paying off,” said Badilla, who will attend Fresno State and will study biomedical physics as the first step toward becoming a doctor. “And this is us like moving on forward with our life, starting our life actually. Moving on to whatever we choose to move onto.”
Vanessa Barragan, a valedictorian and one of two senior speakers at the commencement, encouraged her classmates “not to conform to the role placed on you by society.
“Let’s question ourselves right now: would you rath- er fit in or stand out? The journey to self-discovery is not an easy one,” said Barragan, who will attend Cal State Fullerton and major in nursing, with plans to spe- cialize in anesthesia.
“But I can assure you that if you know yourself, your morals, your values and what you stand for, you’ll be the best version of yourself. So with that I leave with a heart full of hope for your future to be bright,” Barragan said. “Just remember to go out and live your truth.”
This graduation — marked by unusually cool weath- er — reflected the joy of the moment and the under- standing of what lies ahead.
Before the ceremony, the Class of 2018 — the young ladies in white robes and the young men in green — gathered north of the gym. They chatted with class- mates and greeted their teachers. Photos, of course, were a must. Just before 8 p.m., people could hear their voices unite in a raucous “Seniors! Seniors!” and other cheers followed.
Proud parents, family members and friends added to the vocal wattage from the stands as the seniors started their procession to “Pomp and Circumstance” and made their way to their seats on the stadium field.
It was a night to recognize achievements, such as the valedictorians, the salutatorians and the Pirate Pillars, which are the most distinguished honors a RHS senior can earn. The crowd learned that some of these seniors’ journeys next lead to places away from Reedley, includ- ing Stanford University, Brigham Young University in Utah and other institutions of higher learning.
Hector Chapa Jr., the RHS counselor who had helped guide the 2018 seniors since they were freshmen, dur- ing the ceremony said he had learned from them, too. A former teacher, they were his first senior class, and he told them that his “soul is in awe” of them. He also offered them “some final counsel” as they embark on their voyages in life:
“You are now the captain of your own Pirate ship. As you sail into the future, remember to avoid troubled waters. Use a compass and a map. Hunt for treasure be- cause it’s out there. Know that after storms have passed, there will be smooth waters. Whistle as you work, give praise when you reach land and, most importantly, when you are out on the sea of life, always remember where you are from, who you represent and come home once in while.”
And then he took a father’s prerogative: “I love you all and Jonah Chapa, your dad is proud of you.”
See GRADUATION on page A8
Man
fatally
shot on
June 1
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
Police continue to investi- gate the June 1 fatal shooting of a 25-year-old Reedley man in a north Reedley neighborhood.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Cesar Frias. The shooting was the first homicide in Reedley in 2018 and first in the city since a man was fatally shot at Reedley Beach in July 2015.
Police Chief Joe Garza said on June 5 that detectives have been actively chasing down leads.
“We did bring somebody in who was possibly related to the case but he has since been re- leased from our custody,” he said.
At about 10:30 p.m. June 1, arriving in the 600 block of West Abbot Avenue — just south of South Avenue and east of Frank- wood Avenue — found Frias un- responsive in a parked vehicle on the street with gunshot wounds to
See HOMICIDE on page A8
Off-duty OC
police officer
shoots, kills
Reedley man
Staff Report
An off-duty Orange Cove Po- lice Department officer fatally shot a Reedley man May 31 dur- ing a reported road rage incident at a rural location north of Di- nuba.
TOP: From left, Liliana Velazquez, Kyana Espinoza and Samuel Escareno waved to family members and friends in the audience during Reedley High School’s118th graduation ceremony on May 31 at the high school stadium.
ABOVE: Reedley High School’s Giselle Reyna, right, smiled as she looked into the audience while graduates stood during the ceremony. Reyna was one of two senior speakers.
LEFT: Valedictorian Vanessa Barragan told her fel- low graduates “not to conform to the role placed on you by society.”
Photos by Chris Aguirre / The Exponent
The Fresno
County Coro-
ner’s office
identified the
shooting vic-
tim as Ricardo
Cisneros Pice-
no, 39. Accord-
ing to a news
release from
the Fresno
County Sheriff’s Office, Piceno was shot by the officer near the intersection of South Monson and East Floral avenues.
The news release stated that the incident began shortly be-
See SHOOTING on page A3
Ricardo Piceno
Immanuel High seniors reach the finish line
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Immanuel High School graduates (from left) Justine Hatch, Rilee Breckenridge, Thomas Kawagoe and Lauren Belt flipped their tassels at the school’s commence- ment on May 31. The IHS Class of 2018 featured 66 graduates.
School gradutes 66
from Class of 2018
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
It wasn’t just a graduation. Stu- dents in Immanuel High School’s Class of 2018 “crossed the finish line” May 31 at the school’s com- mencement at Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church.
Those were the words of a fa- miliar face to the 66 graduates: com- mencement speaker C.J. Haydock, a former teacher and boys basketball coach, who was the faculty counselor for the students in their freshman year. Haydock left Immanuel in 2015 to accept the job as men’s basketball coach at Fresno Pacific University.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be present and applaud you as you cross your finish line. A room full of people celebrate each and every one of you.”
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Graduate Austin Bratton posed for a photo with Michael Reimer, chairman of the Immanuel Schools Board of Trust- ees, after receiving his diploma.
Haydock said he remembered telling the freshman students in 2014 how the “race” of high school rested in their immediate future and the numerous challenges they would
face. Peer pressure would increase, and perseverance would be needed to avoid becoming bitter, cynical or negative.
“On this day, four years later. I stand in awe with loved ones from near and far,” he said. “With parents who fought for you with patience and passion to receive an incomparable education. An education rooted in faith from teachers who give every inch of their soul to challenge you mentally and spiritually to model a life well-lived with peers who will follow your steps.”
Some of the graduates said be- fore the ceremony that they were looking forward to the culmination of their high school goals and taking the next step in their education.
“I’m really excited and happy. But I’m really sad to be leaving my teachers,” said Krystale Gutierrez, who will attend Fresno Pacific and play basketball while she studies pre- health and science with a goal of be-
See IMMANUEL on page A2
Classified - A6-7 Directory - A5 Legals - B8-9
Sports - B3-4 Lights & Sirens - A3 Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A4