It's one of those rites of passage that occurs in just about everyone's life, and for 150 students in the Class of 2012 at the Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite, it happened last night, June 7, as they walked across the stage and accepted their graduation diplomas.

"We have to make a lot of choices that will change our lives," Tara Hansen, Class of 2012 Salutatorian told her classmates. "Whatever you do in your life, do it for you. Live in a way that you do not have any regrets. Make good choices."

"As we enter into the world, let us choose wisely," was the advice given to the others by Polina Etkareva, one of six Valedictorians in the Class.

William Lara, Brailee Ogden, Katelyn Sumpter, David Tait, and Halle Wakefield, all co-Valedictorians with Etkareva addressed the graduates and audience with humor and advice to do well in life. "You miss one hundred percent of the shots that you don't take," Wakefield said.

Cliff Hughes led the ceremonies for his first time

as VVHS Principal. "Four years ago, I was their principal at Hughes Middle School. When they left there, they thought I was gone. I want to tell them tonight how proud I am of them. They've accomplished a lot in four years. I hope they listen to the advice from their classmates and make wise decisions."

Hughes announced that local businesses had contributed over $50,000 in scholarships for the graduating seniors. He also said that 55 graduates plan on attending a four-year school, 27 were going on to a two-year school, nine plan to attend a trade or technical training school, and five were entering U.S. military services.

Chris Garvey, Clark County School District Board of School Trustees for District B, was on hand to accept the graduates and hand out diplomas.

Twenty three students were awarded Advanced Diplomas that requires them to complete 24 credits, maintain a 3.25 Grade Point Average (GPA), and have an additional science and art class in addition to the regular requirements.

There were 21 Advanced Honor Graduates in the class who completed the rigorous, comprehensive advanced honors curriculum of Clark County School District's Honors program.

John Kien To, Senior Class President led the graduates in the traditional 'turning of the tassles.' With that, they were on to the future.

Congratulations to all the graduates of the Virgin Valley High School Class of 2012.