PHOTOS: Wildcatz Graduate

Pride, accomplishment and a sense that greater things are yet to come prevailed during commencement exercises for Watsonville High's Class of 2012 on Friday.

"Today is the day students end four years of hard work," Salutatorian Abraham Corrales said in Spanish.

About 350 Wildcatz earned their high school diplomas at the afternoon ceremony.

Girls wore golden caps and gowns, the boys were dressed in the traditional black. Mortar boards were decorated with the school mascot, flowers, photos, nicknames and more.

The students, many of whom are college-bound, expressed high hopes for their lives.

"Just imagine what our future holds in a world of constant change," Valedictorian Edgar Garcia told his classmates after recounting just a few of the world news highlights that occurred during their four years in high school. "... Only destiny knows what it has in store for us."

Abraham thanked those who supported he and his peers through high school, especially the parents.

"Without them, we wouldn't be anything," he said.

People cheered, clapped and blew air horns throughout the speeches and presentations of diplomas. Balloons spotted the sky and beach balls bounced through the seated graduates.

"I feel proud to be graduating from Watsonville High," Ignacio Ruiz said in brief remarks dubbed "Super Nacho's Thank You" in the program. Ignacio, who is wheelchair-bound, used a computerized voice synthesizer to speak to the crowd.

The entire ceremony was coordinated and run by the graduates, a unique feature to the event, principal Elaine Legorreta said.

"I'm incredibly proud of the Wildcatz," Legorreta said.