Wellton Elementary graduates 100th class

WELLTON - One hundred years is a long time, but that is how far back Wellton Elementary School traces its first class of students.
 
And now the 100th class is graduating Thursday night.
 
"It's kind of amazing, but we're already working on the next 100 years," said Laura Noel, superintendent of the school district.
 
The school has grown significantly since that first class of nine moved on 100 years ago, as there are now 427 students including preschool, said Shanna Johnson, language arts teacher and graduation coach.
 
While rehearsing eighth-grade students for graduation ceremonies in the gymnasium on Wednesday, Johnson noted a critical change for next year that will mold students for the world of work. Wellton is now gearing up to adopt a school uniform policy for the first time.
 
Yet it will not be so much a uniform as more of a modified dress code, said Jane Peters, kindergarten to third-grade literacy coach. Rather than adhering to rigid matching uniforms, students will only be required to wear collared shirts without logos and khaki trousers, or for girls, capri pants, jumpers or skirts. Any shoes except "flip-flops" will be allowed.
 
"It's always a visual reminder of what we're trying to accomplish," Peters said. "I'm not sure a dress code will change discipline, but when you dress up a little more, like when going to church, you act a little different."
 
But academics are only part of the equation, and students need to know how to steer their way around the social milieu of the professional world, Peters said.
 
"Our society has become much more relaxed and even adults don't know how to act in  different social situations," Peters said. "So we try to set a code of communication etiquette - how to act in a more formal manner."
 
Aspects of Wellton's communication etiquette includes proper body language such as eye contact or handshaking, verbal etiquette, relying on words of courtesy, social contract instruction that explains how to interject opinion or express dissent or show initiative without defiance and, finally, conforming to a dress code.
 
"Dress code is just a piece of it," Peters said. "We're looking at a lot of kids who don't know how to act in certain situations. Sometimes in the job market, even people with qualifications won't get the job. Our job is to get students ready for for all sorts of social situations to be productive in society."
 
Wellton is looking at the whole student by preparing them academically, socially and emotionally, said Lisa Jameson, fourth- to eighth-grade literacy coach and an alumna.
 
"We've really changed the campus since I went here,  with a new administration building and library, new gym and tennis court, remodeling over the years and (we) keep updating," Jameson said. "We're celebrating our 100th year but we'll keep striving as a community of excellence. That's our motto."
 
The graduating class is just 37 students in 2009, one of the smallest in recent years. But with 15 students in a class, the school has achieved great progress academically, especially in reading scores, she said.
 
"They're a great class. When they move on I know they'll be involved, definitely council leaders."
 
One of the promising prospects is Luisa Garcia, 14, a National Junior Honor Society member who said the 100th anniversary means a lot to her graduating class.
 
"I'm looking forward to Antelope (High School) but I'll miss the teachers here," Luisa said. "They really pushed us to succeed, but sometimes they get grouchy. But it's all cool. And I'd like to thank all the parents for helping us because we're like one big family here."

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Members of the 100th graduating class of Wellton Elementary School:

Dalia Bravo  

Mabeli Castro

Harold Cooley

Chad Cullison

Juan Galaviz

Luisa Garcia

Itzel Herrera

Cameron Jones

Roman Lara

Aaron Lopez

Edgar Martinez

Dylan Moore

Luis Nunez

Chris Ordonez

Rey Ortega

Samantha Rinehart

Desy Rivas

Austin Rogers

Jesse Sanchez

William Thompson

Isabela Arcos

Diana Castillo

Alex Conchola

Dakota Dillard

Tony Fortier

Gilberto Frausto

Karissa Frie

Mayte Garcia

Chance Hamilton

Tyler Johnson

Joanna Pratt

Austin Ruiz

Kyle Sandoval

Meghan Sherman

Abel Uriarte

Heriberto Valdez

Morgan Vannier