ANTHS grads first to receive diplomas

WAITIN' FOR THE WORLD TO CHANGE:
Valedictorian Zach Enmark, top, waits to lead 41 New Tech graduates into the Cascade Theatre.

The 42 graduating seniors at Anderson New Technology High School are proof that a small class can do powerful things.

Ninety three percent of graduates plan to go on to college ranging from as near as Shasta College to as far away as Holland. Together the graduates received more than $67,000 in scholarships. And they managed to raise $14,830 for their sober grad party.

The graduating class held commencement Thursday, June 4, at the Cascade Theater in Redding.

Graduates said they had a more intimate high school experience than most students, and many of these students say that the small class setting has given them to tools to excel in the real world.

"You get to know everyone, students and teachers, and you get to create those relationships with people that last forever," said senior Casey Marinkovich, who received the McConnell Foundation scholarship.

New Technology students also experience project-based learning.

"It prepares you more for the outside world more than just reading textbooks because you have to work with people - people that you like and people that you don't like. It's a skill you have to know for the future," Marinkovich said.

New Tech's class of 2009 valedictorian Zach Enmark reflected on the choices he and his peers have made and the impacts of these choices have created during his commencement address.

"One good decision that New Tech helped us all make was definitely to improve on our service learning," Enmark said.

Graduating seniors have participating in community projects such as an animal adoption day. They have mentored middle school students and made blankets for foster children.

"It's time's like these that show us where true happiness comes from - working together and accomplishing a common good for the community," Enmark said.

The class valedictorian said these projects are have helped show him and his classmates that it is more rewarding to give than to receive.

"Life is about choices, and the decision to show the smallest kindness' can have the biggest impacts," he said. "The result is happiness."