Richland High School graduation: ‘Spite can get you places.’

Richland High School’s class of 2015 shared laughs, camera flashes and cheers as they celebrated their final moments before becoming official Bomber graduates.

After all, it was kind of funny to celebrate the culmination of 13 years of schooling by receiving empty diploma covers, pointed out valedictorian Argho Datta.

“We are adults, sort of, and expected to make all these decisions about our future, which is frightening, since just this week I had to ask for my teacher’s permission to use the bathroom,” said Nickolas Avila, also a valedictorian.

But the real decision each graduate will make is whether to seek what makes him or her happy, or whether to make money the priority, he said.

Teachers and administrators may say that education is the key to sustainable income and a successful future, but valedictorian Jackson Chin suggested his fellow graduates turn to spite.

“We are pretty spiteful bunch, the secret is using that anger,” he said. “Spite can get you places.”

Find what makes you passionate and make it a reality, teacher Nick White advised Richland High’s 400-plus graduating class. Make mistakes, take risks and forgive those who would forgive you.

Nathan Casper and Annie Lai also were valedictorians. The salutatorian was Todd Bowers.

This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Richland High School graduation: ‘Spite can get you places.’."