InMaricopa
Celsielynn Espinueva listens to a speaker during Heritage Academy s inaugural commencement on Thursday night in the school gymnasium. Photo by Brian Petersheim Jr.
The first-ever class of Heritage Academy Maricopa graduates was recognized for its perseverance at Thursday night’s commencement.
The 25 graduates in blue caps and gowns gathered in the school gymnasium where friends and family sat on bleachers to watch as they accepted their diplomas.
To start the ceremony, the graduates were introduced as they walked from behind a black curtain, many stopping before their classmates to do a quick dance move or take a bow before continuing to their seats to cheers from the audience.