by 
Pete Rios
FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County District 1 Supervisor Pete Rios will be the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremonies at Hayden High School on Friday, May 24.
“I am honored to be coming back to my alma mater as a commencement speaker,” Supervisor Rios said. “It’s been a long time since I graduated from high school. I’m pleased to be invited to speak to the Class of 2013.”
The District 1 Supervisor graduated from Hayden High in 1968. He was very active in extra-curricular activities including playing in three sports and participating in student government.
Following his graduation from high school, Rios attended Phoenix College and Arizona State University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and a Masters Degree in Social Service Administration in 1976.
The Supervisor entered the world of public service in 1982 when he was elected as a State Senator and held positions of Democratic Whip and Democratic Assistant Leader. In 1991, Rios was elected as President of the Arizona State Senate for the 40th Legislature, making him the first Latino Senate President in the history of the state.
He also served two terms in the Arizona House of Representatives.
“I can say that my experience at Hayden High School and growing up in the Copper Basin Area helped to provide a secure foundation to where I am today in my life,” Supervisor Rios explained. “I am grateful to been given the opportunity to live in one of the nicest places in the State of Arizona.”
When asked about the details of his speech, the Supervisor said he would like to impart some of the lessons he has learned since graduating from high school and address some issues about quality education and preparing to compete in a global economy.
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