Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Brad Dabe and Tiffany Throne, both 18, practice their entrance into the gym in preparation for Silver Stage High School's first graduation. After being open for two years, the high school will graduate its first class tonight.
As most seniors are meeting to rehearse graduation ceremonies established in years past, the seniors of Silver State High School were creating tradition Wednesday.
"It's a little bit difficult because we have to set it ourselves," said John Jefferis, 18. "We have to make sure what we do is something everybody else will want to do."
Led by Principal Dave Regalado, the 44 graduating seniors met Wednesday to decide the particulars of the pomp and circumstance - where they would walk, when they would stand - then practice it.
The high school's first graduation ceremony will be held tonight in the auditorium.
"We don't have that many people graduating, but it's nice that we'll always be remembered as the first," said Christina Miller, 18, who will march with her twin sister, Michelle.
Silver Stage High School opened two years ago to serve students living in Silver Springs and Stagecoach.
The junior class is not much larger than the senior class with 47 students. However, this year's freshman class had 115 students and the entering freshman class has 128 students.
Although there has long been an elementary school and a middle school in the area, older students attended either Dayton or Fernley high schools.
"They went to schools where it was other people's home," said Vice Principal Patrick Peters. "This is their home. They are home."
Jake McVay, 17, attended Fernley High School for two years, then transferred to Silver Stage when in 2002 when it was built.
"I like this class better," he said. "They're all the friends I've grown up with. I've been here since kindergarten."
J.T. Adcock, 18, knows the underclassmen look up to him and his classmates.
"We're a fun group of kids," he said. "We're the first class to graduate so we're like mentors to them."
Regalado, who was principal at Dayton intermediate and high schools before taking over at Silver Stage High School, said the seniors serve as fitting examples.
"This is a class who is very courageous," he said. "They have a lot of mettle. They've been through a lot of battles and they made it.
"Other classes can learn from them that just because you're down doesn't mean you're out. There's always hope."
Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.
