OHS graduates 743 seniors

Ratliff Stadium lights shone hope onto Odessa High School's 743 graduates Friday evening as the sun set behind the western stands.

The sea of red shirts and scattered umbrellas stood for one thing - Bronchos - and a right of passage.

"I can now start the rest of my life. This means you now can depend on yourself," grad Erica Brito said. She's planning on going to OC to pursue a nurse career.

She said she will stay in touch with her friends, particularly through social networking sites, an option unavailable in the past and something that may keep the class of 2009 a bit closer as students go their separate ways.

Outgoing senior Chris Pfingsten said he sees graduation as historic.

"Well, I'm the first since my grandfather to graduate. It's a big deal," he said. Chris plans to go into the Army infantry.

Nicky Stanford said her graduation is hard to believe, almost surreal.

"I have spent almost my entire life finding my place in this world. I finally feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be," she said.

Her plans after graduation include attending Angelo State University and becoming a drama professor, writing novels and plays on the side.

"That's my baby right there," one woman yelled from the crowd as the graduates marched onto the stage. It's a moment of pride intermingled with sadness.

"All that hard work paid off. My son made it," mom Elizabeth Soriano said.

Her son Miguel was the first in her family to graduate high school as well. Miguel will go to school for physical therapy. Permian junior Maeghan Medrano created a banner with his name. He's her boyfriend.

"This is so amazing. It's awesome to be at this point," she said.

Senior Samantha Canlas told graduates that their hard work was worth it in her class speech.

"We have defied the odds ... most important, we have succeeded," she said