The school year is complete

Hundreds of EVIT students descended upon the Mesa Arts Center on Tuesday; by the time they left, they had officially "completed" their EVIT education.

The students were decked out in a rainbow of different colored graduation gowns, many wearing the gowns from their home high school graduations - a tribute to a diverse student body that comes from all across the East Valley.


The annual completion ceremonies were held at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Keynote speaker and popular local radio personality Dave Pratt told students to work hard, but also to enjoy life.

"Find something you love to do, and find a way to make money at it," Pratt told the completers. "Graduating isn't enough anymore ... You have to work harder than the next person."

But he also cautioned that life is also about giving to your family and friends, and having a little fun.

"In the end, no one will remember you by the money you make or the car you drive," he said. "You will be remembered by what you give the ones you love."


EVIT students of the year Kayla Abramson and Thania Loya also spoke to the crowd, both thanking their teachers and crediting EVIT with shaping who they are today.

"The class of 2010 has brought great honor to EVIT," Thania said at the end of her speech. "We learned it; we lived it; we are EVIT."

To see more 2010 Completion Ceremony pictures, click here.