Photo by Deb Gau The final step for Tracy graduates after receiving their diplomas was to have the tassels on their caps turned to the left.

TRACY — They started on their path together 13 years ago. And on Sunday, members of the Tracy Area High School class of 2023 were coming to the end of their time together.

“This is the moment we have been looking forward to. I’m so thankful to be able to share this moment with all of you guys,” student speaker Elizabeth Fultz said. “We will go out and create our own stories, and make our own marks on the world.”

Students said graduation was a time for reflection, as well as hope for the future.

Commencement ceremonies were held at TAHS on Sunday. A total of 58 students received their diplomas. In addition, class valedictorian Shihur Yang was awarded a $500 Dr. Apostol Scholarship.

Graduates gave all of the addresses at Sunday’s program. Students with the top five grade point averages in the class of 2023 each spoke on a different topic. In her welcome to the class of 2023, Fultz also encouraged her classmates to remember all the people who supported them, from family and friends to teachers.

“Everyone here has made an impact on the class of 2023 in some way,” she said.

Salutatorian Madison Clark also reflected on graduates’ shared past together, from elementary school onward.

“Our past is full of friendships, challenges and memories,” Clark said. Students not only gained knowledge together, but learned traits like adaptability and resilience, she said. The class of 2023 also faced challenges, like having their time in high school interrupted by the COVID pandemic.

But, Clark said, “The challenges have made us the determined individuals we are today.”

After graduation, she said, “We will look forward with hope and anticipation,” while taking along past life lessons.

Owen Elsen talked to graduates about the importance of the present, and of “being present.”

At big, memorable events like graduation, it’s sometimes easier to be in the moment, he said.

“It’s OK to take some time to just stop, and take it all in,” Elsen said.

In her address, Amber Hensch looked to the class of 2023’s future. Hensch encouraged her classmates to keep pursuing happiness, and also to make a positive impact on the world.

“Seek out ways to better yourself and people around you,” she said.

Yang wrapped up the ceremony with a poem encouraging graduates to go out into the world with confidence and perseverance — and to take actions that would bear good fruit in the future.

“We did a lot, and I’m proud of us all,” Yang said in his poem.