High school graduation season is not only a time for families to gather and congratulate their siblings, children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews on their milestone achievement, it is a time for graduating seniors to express themselves. From throwing confetti and releasing balloons to chest bumping and taking ‘selfies’ on stage with their diplomas, the Class of 2014’s creative solutions to going out with style could be seen at ceremonies across the Valley.

The number of students graduating at each ceremony varied, from a small class of 77 at Denair High School to hundreds walking the aisles of Turlock and Pitman High School ceremonies but each group of graduating seniors had one thing in common: a high school diploma.

 While the values and experiences each student learned in high school will stay with them, speakers at each ceremony encouraged the graduates to continue to pursue their goals and create their own values for living outside the structure of their home institutions. Denair High School salutatorian Madison Taylor put it succinctly in her speech Friday evening: “Gaining intelligence is only one part of it.”

Look in Wednesday's Turlock Journal for a special section devoted to all local high school graduates and local grads of California State University, Stanislaus. Visit turlockjournal.com and youtube.com/turlockjournal on Wednesday also for a special graduation video salute.