 |
|
|
|
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
Danielle Mora, who watched the ceremony, hugs a graduate.
|
Cap and Gown Affair
Graduation night was an evening filled with tears and cheers
By Nathan R. Huff
With a pinch of pomp, a dash of circumstance and a whole lot of celebration, Los Gatos High School's seniors capped off the end of their high school days June 16, graduating on the school's front lawn.
Parents jockeyed for camera position in the bright sun, as close to 340 graduates took their places on the lawn. Seniors listened to speeches from their fellow students before receiving their diplomas, after which they burst into cheers and embraced friends and family.
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
Jen Fuller plays the French horn as graduates file in.
Students were smiling and crying as they waved goodbye to the school, teachers and staff that had been the center of the last four years of their lives. Administrators, in return, praised the departing class of seniors, approximately 98 percent of whom are continuing their education at two- or four-year colleges.
"They're an extremely talented group," guidance counselor Elsie Taketa said. "We have intellectual students who are stellar musicians and athletes." All in all, the class of 2000 had 48 graduates with GPA's of 4.0 or higher, and more than 100 seniors received various awards and scholarships.
Graduation ceremonies celebrated that diversity of skills, as students presented their reflections and thoughts on the future in a variety of forms.
Senior Joanna Rauh began the evening's program with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as the sun began its descent into the hills. Rauh's voice echoed across the huge audience assembled on the picturesque front lawn of the century-old campus, bringing parents and grads alike to their feet.
She was followed by the a welcoming speech from senior Rory Edelman. Edelman shared her thoughts and remembrances of Jeff Peckler, a Los Gatos student who would have been a senior had he not been killed in an accident with his father and sister by a drunken driver when he was a freshman. Later, principal Trudy McCulloch would award Peckler's family his diploma as graduates and audience members rose to cheer.
Two more student speakers, Diana Churchill and Sara Ann Clark, added their own perspectives on the Los Gatos High School experience and the future that awaited. Churchill stressed the intangibles of her experience.
"When we look back to high school," Churchill said, "we will remember our friends, not our grades."
After the presentation of the class by McCulloch, the graduates filed up to accept their diplomas and take their seat as the 112th graduating class.
After the ceremony, Nicole Iwamoto is all decked out in festive attire.
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
A group of chorus students took the stage following the awarding of diplomas, giving an emotional a cappella rendering of Los Gatos High School's Alma Mater. The octet included Hanjiro Ambrose, Kimberly Dodge, Jessica Enright, Joel Key, Kimberly Maibaum, Karren Thomas, John Towler and Morgan Womack.
With the Alma Mater complete, National Merit Scholar Ailinh Tran took the stage to bid farewell to the school, its teachers and staff, and the class of 2000.
But all the speakers and performers represented just a small slice of a class of seniors heading for colleges and universities all over the country. Sixty-six percent of the graduates are heading off to four-year colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, New York University, Duke, Boston University, Tufts and Brown, where class valedictorian Alex Toy--who graduated with a 4.6 GPA--is attending.
Laura Levy cheers when her friend graduates.
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
California's institutions of higher education will also see LGHS graduates on campus next year. Other state schools with future Los Gatos representatives include the Claremont Colleges, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley and UCLA, USC, Chico and San Diego universities.
Taketa said she is especially proud of another group of students. "We're particularly pleased with the group of 'C' and lower student who have decided to go on to further their education in the community college system," she said.
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
Leah Eisenbaum is engulfed in flowers after the graduation ceremony.
Taketa said it was important that graduates understand that there are many paths to higher education--be it through a community college, the military or just delaying entry and working for a while.
"The most important thing is they want to establish a goal, whatever that might be," Taketa said. "Make sure it's of interest to you and you're passionate about it."
Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
Graduates (from left) Vanessa Payne, Megan Greenwood and Alex Eastman pose for family pictures.
McCulloch, who spoke to the graduating class during ceremony rehearsals, said she still gets excited about graduation, even after 32 years. "When you've worked with students for four years and watched them as scared little freshman become young men and women, it's very exciting," McCulloch said.
|
|
|
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
