Dixon High School Class of 2011 Graduates Underneath a Sunny, Windy Sky

Not a drop of rain was to be found Wednesday night during Dixon High School’s Graduation Ceremony. And much like the rain, much of the disappointment brought on by the postponement of the ceremony washed away.

Indeed the Class of Firsts – the first class to spend all four years at Dixon High since it was constructed in 2007, and have led the school to its Distinguished School recognition – has moved on.

Two hundred seventy names were included in commencement program – some were not in attendance – and Jose de Jesus Mendez was among them.

Mendez is the first in his family to graduate from high school, he said. Wednesday’s graduation ceremony was a source of pride and admiration for Mendez’ family.

“They’re very proud,” Mendez said.

Mendez was a member of the school’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program, which prepared him to enter college. Come the fall, Mendez said he will be attending American River College to pursue a degree in law enforcement, with the goal of becoming a correctional officer.

“It’s just like something different,” he said. “I’m not the type of guy that can sit behind a desk.”

Asked how he felt about Saturday’s incident, Mendez said: “There’s not really much to say. The weather just wasn’t much to be in.”

Several of his fellow graduates echoed his sentiments.

“I think everybody is over it and we are just ready to (graduate),” said Jaquie Mckillop, 18.

Mckillop and her fellow graduate –  Megan Adams, 18 – said they were anxious to get their diplomas and finish what they started four years ago when they entered the new campus as freshmen.

Adams and Mckillop, who are both graduates of DHS’ Arts and Design Academy, said they would be continuing their studies at Solano Community College. Adams will study classic art and painting, she said, and Mckillop will study photography and painting.

Nicole Gomez, 17, has a different plan after graduation.

“I’m going into the Army in November,” she said.

Gomez said she is looking forward to joining the military because it will give her an opportunity to travel and see what life is like outside of the country.

Asked what she was looking most forward to after graduation, Mendez said, “Finally getting out of high school, new adventures, not having to wake up at 7 a.m.”

Thousands of friends and family members joined the graduates Wednesday to help them celebrate a milestone. For the graduates that could not be there, Principal Ivan Chaidez said offered his apologies, but reinforced the school’s decision to postpone the ceremony until Wednesday because of the weather and the concern for the safety of students and guests.

During the ceremony, Chaidez recognized 28 graduates as Distinguished Scholars, graduates who maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout their years at DHS.

Associated Student Body President Kenzie Lintz sung “Long Live,” during the ceremony. Several students addressed their fellow graduates including Melissa Immel; Kelsie Aasen; Jeremy Kaizer; Matt Callahan, Edgar Santos and Pete Tejeda; Laura Garcia; Emilio Chacon and Steven Chen.