Taylor, a 2006 graduate of Grand County High, is now a senior at the University of Utah, where he plays football for the Utes.

“It was only four years ago that I was in your shoes, wearing the same awkward gown and adorning the same odd-looking cap,” Taylor said. “I still remember the emotions that came with graduation.”

During his remarks, Taylor referred to some of his own academic and athletic achievements, and encouraged the students to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices in order to achieve success.

“Something given to you has no value. On the other hand, something earned is priceless,” Taylor said. “Seniors, you only have one chance to live. Do something with your life that you can be proud of. Don’t throw it away. Do not waste the precious time you have here merely idling by.”

Standing in front of a colorful painted mural emblazoned with the senior class’s theme: “The purpose of life is live a life of purpose,” Taylor urged the graduates to “live each day like it’s your last, but live it with a purpose.”

“What it boils down to is live life with as few regrets as possible,” he said, after taking the time to thank several teachers by name.

Earlier in the program, class valedictorian Dallen Dalton spoke of making it through good and bad times throughout school, as he recalled both successes and failures. He defined success as “when you decide to do something, you give it your all.”

“It’s not what you do that matters, it’s how you do,” Dalton said, ending his remarks with a familiar quote from Yoda of Star Wars: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

Class salutatorian Audrey Baird startled her classmates by taking out a pair of scissors during her speech and cutting off the distinctive hair braid that she had worn for the past several years.

“It’s time to stop looking at the world the way we’ve always looked at it,” Baird said, encouraging her classmates to change their perspective and look at life with a fresh point of view.

“I’m ready to redefine myself and see the world through new eyes,” she added just before snipping off the long braid.

Two GCHS seniors also performed musical numbers during the hour-long program. Devon Dixon sang “Wrong’s What I Do Best,” while playing the guitar, and Caitlyn Howe sang a number titled “For Good.”

The Sounds Grand school choir also performed a song called “Someday Soon,” and the GCHS band played during the opening and closing processions.

During the event, a handful of GCHS seniors wore “I Love Jack” signs over their gowns, a silent show of support for classmate Jack Osness, who was still serving a 10-day suspension for disciplinary reasons and was unable to attend the commencement ceremony.

Also during the evening, the school’s prestigious “Circle of Honor” award was presented to Sam and Adrien Taylor, longtime editors and current publishers emeritus of Moab’s weekly newspaper, The Times-Independent. Both are alumni of Grand County High, and were recognized for their support of local schools, sports, and educational activities throughout the past 50-plus years.

Sam and Adrien Taylor are also the grandparents of speaker Zane Taylor and his younger brother Zach Taylor, a member of the GCHS graduating class of 2010.

Also during the program, superintendent Margaret Hopkin recognized seven district teachers who are retiring – Tom Eyler, Linda Warren, Tom Warren, Nori Swanson, Rosanne Nicol, Kathey McNeely, and Peggy Harty.

“We appreciate their years of dedication on behalf of the children of Grand County,” said Hopkin, noting that those seven teachers, along with three other retiring district employees (Sue Cook, Gail Lea, and Gloria Molina) have a combined total of 285 years of experience working within the school district.

After Hopkin’s formal acceptance of the graduating class from GCHS principal Stephen Hren, the graduates passed through the large block “G” as their names were read, and received their diplomas from members of the Grand County Board of Education. A lively fireworks display capped off the evening.

-Moab Times-Independent

Edward Guerrero, 43, pleaded guilty to theft as a class A misdemeanor, while prosecutors on Tuesday agreed to dismiss a charge of felony third-degree burglary as part of a plea agreement. Guerrero will be sentenced on June 22 in Moab by Seventh Judicial District Judge Lyle Anderson.

The Salt Lake City Tribune quoted Guerrero’s attorney in reporting that the $900 in stolen cash, which was removed from two envelopes, had been intended as drug-buy money. The officer had been “traveling to a training, and felt he should be reimbursed for that, wrongfully, obviously,” attorney Greg Skordas told the Tribune.

The theft occurred last August and was discovered in October.

A seven-year veteran of the department, Guerrero resigned in January after charges were filed.

COLLINS VALUATION
ANDRIA COLLINS
98 E MOUNT PEALE DR, MOAB, UT, 84532
UT6357239-CR00, 10/31/2010

SMOUSE APPRAISAL SERVICE
VALLI SMOUSE
P.O.BOX 667, MOAB, UT, 84532
UT5477133-CR00, 06/30/2011

Tom is married with two grown children and has been active the community since moving to Moab in 1989.  Currently he is a Fire District commissioner and has served as such for the past 18 years.  He is also a member of the Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team.  He served for 6 years as member of the Grand County Planning and Zoning commission  Tom Believes that you need to give back to your community through public service.

On any given day you can see Tom and his wife Colette in their finest “lycra” cycling through the beautiful scenery found in and around Moab.  Both have worked in the past on the long-standing Skinny Tire event held every March in Moab.

Tom’s  belief is that a real estate purchase is the most important decision most people will make in their lifetime and that they deserve the best care during the process.  “Our customers are the reason we are in business and we only survive if we continue to provide honest, compassionate and knowledgeable service to those that look to us for help in their real estate experience.”

Tom Shellenberger (435)260-1018
Principal Broker
moabtom@yahoo.com

Janie has been in the Moab real estate business for 20 years and would like to be in it for another 20 years. She knows the entire area first-hand, since she has resided here since 1954. Janie loves her business and community. Janie will show great patience in finding you the ideal home or property, even if it takes awhile. Stop by or contact this dedicated agent.

Janie has completed her GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) training and professional designation, and she completed her Broker’s education and licensing in 1999. She has extensive (15 years) background in mapping and surveying, and really knows the lay of the land in this area, as well as lots of history. Even though she has resided her for quite sometime, she never gets tired of the scenic beauty this area has to offer and finds every day to be a new inspiration. Janie is very involved in public service by being a commissioner for the Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah, Moab Rotary Club member, mentor at the elementary school, Seekhaven shelter board member, and a member of the local women’s barbershop singing group “Valley Voices”. In the past she has served on the Moab Chamber of Commerce Board and was president in 2000.

In her private life, Janie enjoys spending time with her family. Her favorite activities are walking, working out, hiking, fishing, and traveling to new areas of the world and Southeastern Utah.

Janie Tuft (435)260-1572
Realtor, GRI, Assoc. Broker
janietuft@yahoo.com

Christoph is a partner in the PortalVista Subdivision here in Moab, an affordable housing project that just recently won the prestigious Beautification Award.

Christoph Schork – Real Estate Agent in Moab Utah

Christoph Schork (435)260-1494
Agent
moabproperties@AOL.com

Penelope Butterfield (435)260-1245
Agent
moabpenelope@yahoo.com

Her two children were born in Moab and keep her busy when she is not working. Her interests include hiking, gardening, mountain biking and skiing with her family. She also enjoys traveling and has been to many countries in South and Central America as well as India and Nepal. She also enjoys rafting and has been on many wild rivers thoughout the west including the Grand Canyon. She is the listing agent for the newest Planned Unit Development in Moab, Tierra Del Sol, Spanish for Land of the Sun, which she owns with her husband Dan. For more information on this project click HERE. Her goal is to provide personalized service for all of your real estate needs.
Tania Pyatt – Real Estate Agent in Moab Utah

Tania Pyatt (435)260-1202
Agent
moabtania@yahoo.com

Roger still enjoys skiing on those sunny Sunday afternoons but has traded the five months of winter in Park City for five months of summer in Moab. Roger claims his real joy still comes from his son Christian who, at 23, is a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He says: Trading stories with your son about the world and its people, what can be more gratifying?

Off road motorcycling has long been his favorite form of therapy and he has found a mecca here in Moab. Biking, hiking, rafting and exploring are the heartbeat of Moab. Utah’s desert oasis continues to command a rising intrigue in the active lifestyles of people from everywhere.

Roger says: Let me help you find Your Piece of the Red Rock. I found mine and there is no place like it.

Roger Schmidt (435)901-2292
Agent
moabroger@hotmail.com

Aleigh loves working with people to find the best property match for them. She is a good listener, hard worker, and honest and ethical in every way.

Aleigh grew up in the Monticello area. She and her husband, Steven, along with their 4 kids, returned to Monticello in 2006, and they have loved being back “home” among family and friends. Aleigh loves running, being outdoors, cooking, and being with her family.

Aleigh Redd (435)459-9505
Agent aleighredd@juno.com