GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – Graduation night is a time to honor hard work, perseverance, and achievement. For Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe Valedictorian Danielis “Sophia” Rivera-Candelaria, she put that hard work on display during the ceremony.
Rivera-Candelaria kicked off the night by performing “Pomp and Circumstance” with the Southwest Middle High School Band. She then flipped sides of the gym to sing the national anthem with the Southwest Middle High School Choir. She followed that up by giving her valedictorian speech. Finally, she crossed the stage to receive her diploma.
"I've gotten the opportunity to grow alongside you,” she told graduates during her speech. “I mean it when I say that I wish to see you all have successful lives.”
