A member of the Class of 2022 prepares to shake hands with Superintendent Jim Baum at Lockney High School's graduation on May 20, 2022. (Ryan Crowe/FCR)
LOCKNEY – From the moment they first entered Lockney Elementary School, the class of 2022 has been working toward the goal of receiving their high school diplomas. And on Friday evening 29 Longhorns did just that.
The 8:00 p.m. ceremony had to made a last-minute change from its initial location of Mitchell-Zimmerman Stadium to Longhorn Gym due to a forecast of high winds.
The Record caught up with Valedictorian Miranda Sarinana and Salutatorian Gabriella Cervantes ahead of their big night, and asked some serious and some silly questions.
Valedictorian Miranda Sarinana
What’s Next? “I plan on attending Wayland for my basics before transferring to WT to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and then I want to apply to vet school after that.”
Why that career? “I’ve always loved animals, I’ve been drawn to helping them since I was little. I want to do the most I can. I want to go all out.”
Your feelings before graduation? “It doesn’t feel real yet. I still feel like I’m a Freshman and I’m never going to leave!”
What are your summer plans? “I plan on trying out for Wayland’s cheerleading team, and working at Walmart as a cashier.”
What is your favorite memory of high school? “Honestly, my Freshman year sports like softball we had so much fun. And track, we went pretty far in our mile relay.”
Your most embarrassing memory from Elementary? “I sprayed my classmate Josh in the eyes with the whiteboard cleaner because he tried cleaning off the board and I wanted to do it. He went to the office to clean his eyes, and stuck up for me saying it was an accident. Josh is a real one for that.”
What would be your go-to meal after graduation? “I want a Chick-Fil-A Spicy Deluxe with waffle fries and a sweet tea.
Twenty years from now when people ask where you’re from, what will you say? “I’m from Lockney, it’s an hour away from Lubbock, because everyone knows Lubbock.”
If you could have a walkup song before your speech? “I’d want a sad song because I’d want to cry. Maybe a Hannah Montana song.”
What message would you tell those coming up behind you? “I would say believe in yourself. At one point I had no hope of being top in the class but I told my brother ‘I’m gonna be Valedictorian’ I really believed in myself and I got it. Don’t give up.”
Salutatorian Gabriella Cervantes
What’s Next? “I want to attend Angelo State University in the fall and get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I want to be a NICU nurse then go back to school and become a Nurse Practitioner”
Why that career? “I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse, but then I realized I don’t really want to be there for that, so I’ll just help them if they’re sick. I want to work with babies.”
Your feelings before graduation? “I’m excited, but I’m mostly scared because I know that not everything happens the way that you think it’s going to.”
What are your summer plans? “I work at Tea 2 Go in Plainview, so I’m going to work and then travel with my family. We’ll probably go to South Padre Island.”
What is your favorite memory of high school? “Probably winning our gold balls, the friendships that we were able to build and how far we were able to go.”
Your most embarrassing memory from Elementary? “My mom dressed me up for ‘nerd day’ on my birthday in fourth grade, so I looked goofy my entire birthday.”
What would be your go-to meal after graduation? “My grandma is making enchiladas right after, so if they’re not hers I don’t want them!”
Twenty years from now when people ask where you’re from, what will you say? “Lockney, it’s somewhere near Lubbock.”
If you could have a walkup song before your speech? “Congratulations by Post Malone because when I think of it I think ‘You made it.'”
What message would you tell those coming up behind you? “When they tell you it goes by fast, it really does. Just enjoy it while you can.”
