MARK WAITE / PVT Preston Dockter, left, and Craig Rieger, were the guest speakers at Pahrump Valley High graduation ceremonies. MARK WAITE / PVT Members of the Pahrump Valley High School senior choir sing the National Anthem at the start of graduation ceremonies for the class of 2008. MARK WAITE / PVT Mikael Redmond gives the thumbs-uo after receiving his diploma during graduation ceremonies Thursday night. MARK WAITE / PVT Graduates throw their mortarboards in the air in celebration at the conclusion of ceremonies at the Pahrump Valley High School football field. Advertisement

The 222 graduating members of the Pahrump Valley High School class of 2008 were congratulated on their success Thursday night, but were also warned the real work lies ahead.

Valedictorian Michael Healey reminded the class about the Pahrump Valley High School teacher who told them, "This is not B.K. and we in fact cannot have it our way. It is true that life is not like Burger King. In life you can't just sit and wait for your number to be called. You have to work hard to achieve your goals and strive for more."

Life is a continuous struggle, Healey said. But he added, "We have learned from our past few years here at PVHS. We are on the road to success as long as we work for it."

Growing technological breakthroughs have led to greater resources to better themselves, he said.

Salutatorian Devyn Moen said the graduating class of 2008 won seven different state championships in sports during its four years at Pahrump Valley High: girls golf, softball, girls basketball, girls track and wrestling. Then she recalled all the spirited occasions: dressing up for homecoming, going to home games and making posters.

Emily Poertner, senior class president, noted, "To think of all we have accomplished and all we've been through, from math proficiencies to four principals, it's been like a roller coaster."

But in unison with Moen, she proclaimed: "The tassle's worth the hassle."

Guest speaker Craig Rieger, the wrestling coach, said school is like a melting pot, students learn something from each person with whom they associate and mold it into who they are.

Rieger said students will have to make more choices after they graduate: Where to go college? What course of study to major in? What job will make them happy and provide for them? Do I love this person? Do I want to start a family?

"The one characteristic I hope that all of you have heard from me is hard work. It does not matter the task that you may face, if you can look in the mirror and honestly say I did my best, I worked as hard as I could, I gave my full potential, you'll have no regrets in all that you will do," Rieger said.

Fellow coach Preston Dockter also was a guest speaker. He talked about the bonds everyone shared through Pahrump Valley High, having been educated by good teachers and coaches.

"Do not judge your life's success on how big your house is, how fast your car goes, but base your success in life on doing the things that make you happy," Dockter said. "Remember that nobody owes you anything. You're not entitled to a great relationship or a good job or even a roof over your head. You earn these things by choosing to work hard and doing things other people won't do."

He told graduates to rest assured at night, knowing the things they possess were things they earned by hard work.

Student class advisor Elizabeth Jenkins told seniors every one of them has a unique talent that will serve them well in the real world.

"So seniors, don't be afraid," she said. "Embrace this day and know that every situation whether good or bad, has an outcome that will make you stronger, wiser, happier or, let's face it, even miserable."

After diplomas were awarded, Principal Max Buffi offered some parting comments, quoting from the famed children's author Dr. Seuss.

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own, you know what you know, and you are the one who'll decide where to go," Buffi said.

Some graduates were so happy they threw their mortarboards in the air prematurely, before the final go-ahead from Jenkins to turn their tassles to the other side -- the signal they graduated.

Then finally the words they were waiting to hear from the principal: "On behalf of the board of trustees of the Nye County School District, I, Max Buffi, principal of Pahrump Valley High School, hereby verify that the class of 2008 have completed the graduating requirements of the state of Nevada and the Nye County School District. I declare that the class of 2008 have duly graduated."