HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT A reflective Chelsea Beckett sits quietly during commencement.. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Robert Acker takes a flying leap on faith as he clutches his diploma. GINA B. GOOD / PVT The band led by Doug Farr plays "Pomp and Circumstance." GINA B. GOOD / PVT Relatives and friends lined the field as graduates entered for commencement. Advertisement

More than 4,000 people filled the football field Thursday, June 4, to cheer on family members and friends in the Pahrump Valley High School graduating class of 2009.

There was prolonged cheering as the 265 graduates filed into the stadium. Moms got teary-eyed while many dads watched for their students through the lens of digital cameras. Youngsters dressed in their finest to be part of the celebration excitedly waited for their big brothers, sisters or cousins to appear in the crowd.

Familiy members with pre-registered tickets filled 1,680 chairs on the field, the bleachers held 1,500 more and an additional bleacher section was set up for additional seating of 400. There were also people standing.

The new sound system worked flawlessly as did the new energy efficient lights.

Some family members waited by the track with bouquets, balloons and colorful leis - some of which incorporated greenbacks. The happiness was contagious, and each graduate, family member, teacher and school board trustee displayed proud smiles.

The only solemn moments came at the beginning of the evening's program when the stadium quieted and paused to remember the untimely deaths of coach Preston Docter and student Jeremy Rasmussen.

With keynote speaker, retiring coach Rod Poteete, and the Nye County School Board trustees seated behind him, Principal Max Buffi welcomed attendees "to the biggest, best show with the best participants in Pahrump tonight."

Poteete spoke briefly of the memories from his years at PVHS and told the graduating class, "You only get one body, so take care of it. You only get one mind, so use it wisely and be passionate about what you do."

Band Director Doug Farr led the chorus in a song by Annie Lennox titled "Into the West." Farr also led the band in "Pomp and Circumstance."

Students Chelsea Beckett, senior class president, and McKenzie Dean, student body president, presided over the stage.

Valedictorian Samantha Sposato spoke with gratitude of the teachers and coaches who are so thoroughly invested in the students' futures. She also spoke lovingly of her family.

Maria Melgar, class salutatorian gave an emotional talk about her family. She also said, "Tonight we write the end to a chapter of our lives, but we also begin a new one. It's not the ending of the whole book. Make your book one of success, joy and most importantly, hope."

Chelsea Becket and M. Dean closed the program before graduates turned the tassels of their mortars, signaling the end of their time at high school, but just the beginning of a night of celebration.