Thursday evening May 11, The Burney Lions Club treated 11 graduating senior boys to a delicious steak dinner to congratulate them for their accomplishments and wish them well in the future.
2017 Senior Boys
All together, this year’s graduating class has 29 students: 16 girls and 13 boys. The senior boys include Matthew Elmore, Kaden Tiran, Alejandro Jimenez, Hunter Mostoufi, Billy Covert, Brandon McFarlane, Nicholas Glazzard, Wyatt Hibbeln, Layton McClung, Riley Estes, Michael Avelar, Matthew Bonsey, and Ryan Pruitt. Unfortunately, Matthew Bonsey and Ryan Pruitt were unable to attend the gathering.
After the delicious dinner, Lion Dr. Bill Cummings had each of the students come forward and talk briefly about their experience and activities at Burney High and their plans and hopes for the future. In his opening remarks he reminded the young men that, having reached the age of 18, they are now legally responsible adults and should act wisely.
Lion Dr. Bill Cummings interviewing Kaden Tiran
Students talked about their participation in sports and club activities. Billy Covert said that he was good at “procrastinating and communicating.”
Several noted that they wanted to experience the thrill of sky-diving. Others expressed a desire to travel. Matt Elmore for instance said that he would like to go to Thailand. Michael Avelar said that he would like to go to the Super Bowl.
Many of the students will be attending Shasta College. Wyatt Hibbeln, Brandon McFarlane, and Michael Avelar will be going to the College of the Redwoods. Hunter Mostoufi is going to Pacific Union College to study history. Billy Covert will be moving to Texas where he plans to attend the University of North Texas at Dallas.
The hopeful seniors shared plans for a number of career options including operating heavy machinery and being a Fish and Game Warden.
The interviews were peppered with laughter from the audience and Cummings presented each student with a $20 cash gift from the Lions.
After all of the students had been introduced, BHS Principal Ray Guerrero spoke briefly praising the students and wishing them well.
Principal Ray Guerrero wishing the students well
Burney Lions Club President Matt Quinlan also spoke briefly.
Lion President Matt Quinlan congratulating and advising the young men
He advised the young men that once they had completed their educations and settled into their careers, they should “give back to the community.”
Pit River Country 