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Some students ran across the stage flailing their arms or waving frantically at their parents. One student even did a flip, while others just strutted with pride or stylish grace as their name was called to receive a diploma.
Approximately 380 graduates of Los Gatos High School's class of 2004 paraded down the front steps of the school when the 116th commencement exercises took place on the high school terrace June 11 beneath a descending sun.
Seats were reserved for family and friends by the dozen, and the expansive front lawn was dotted with orange and black balloons and bouquets of roses for the graduates. Parents used telephoto camera lenses, binoculars and camcorders to locate and capture the graduating girls in white gowns, and boys in black. Some attendees caught the students' attention with kazoos, air horns, party blowers, confetti and loud cheering, while others dabbed their eyes with Kleenex.
The crowd observed a moment of silence in honor of the late Ronald Reagan, after which soloist Laney Chinn, a graduating senior, presented The National Anthem. Speaker Katherine Clark reminded the students that they were saying goodbye to a school where they had grown, improved and left their mark over the last four years—amid construction and modernizations to the campus.
Speaker Maxwell Benesi told the graduates they were leaving the safe, comfortable haven of Los Gatos to become the young, invincible "next generation" and discover the truths in life. Speaker Nathaniel Miller described graduation as "a celebration of what has happened that has shaped our lives."
"We've accomplished the basics, and it's where we take them that matters." he said.
Principal Trudy McCulloch officially certified that the class of 2004 had met all graduation requirements of the school district and of the state. McCulloch also presented a special diploma to the family of Megan O'Donnell. Megan died in March of diabetes, but was a member of the class of 2004. McCulloch asked the graduates to remember Megan and the obstacles she faced, as they go on to pursue lives and careers, encountering difficulties along the way.
Closing speaker Brandon Silberstein addressed his peers: "We will go out there and shake the past of what will become the future."
Then, under Brandon's direction, the scholars tossed their caps high into the air.
Los Gatos High School honors 2004 graduates
Brianna Ady
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
National Merit Scholar
Commended Student
Ivan Batinich
Los Gatos High School Athletic Award
Becky Baumstein
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
Tyler Bennink
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
Jenna Bertocci
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Aaron Blumenthal
AP Scholar
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerMath
Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarship 2004
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Forensic League Degree of Superior Distinction
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Rensselaer Award
Aarash Bordbar
American Math Competition Award
AP Scholar
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerScience
Bausch & Lomb Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Forensic League Degree of Superior Distinction
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Michael Bryant
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Kansas State University Honors Scholarship
Mallory Carlson
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Holly Carson
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Loma Prieta Club Mountain Student Scholarship
Michael Cartmill
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Keith Catanese
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Helaina Chinn
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerMusic
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Performing Arts Award
UCLA Alumni Scholarship
Kevin Cho
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerSocial Sciences
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Finalist
National Merit Scholarship
Megan Christofferson
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerEnglish
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Language Arts Award
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
United States Navy Science Achievement Award
Yale Book Club Award
Katherine Clark
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Forensic League Degree of Honor
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Stephanie Clark
Los Gatos League Scholarship
Katherine Dalgleish
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Christopher Danser
Los Gatos Little League Memorial Scholarship
San José State University Athletic Scholarship
John Davidge
Los Gatos Rotary Club Visual Arts Scholarship
Daniel Dela Vega
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Tyler De Santis
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Sean Delaney
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
USC Regents Scholarship
Dane Diefendorf
United States Senate Recognition-Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Change
Alexandra Dodson
Adam Brown Memorial Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Senior Scholar Athlete Award
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship
Marina Dolginsky
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Christopher Eichinger
CASA Recognition Award
Alexandra Emmons
Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque WinnerVisual Arts
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Rotary Club Visual Arts Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Robert S. Lozano Excellence in Art Award
Kathryn Erickson
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Katherine Fink
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Jake Fisher
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Cody Franks
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
Lindsay Funston
Los Gatos League Scholarship
Courtney Furia
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Miami University, Ohio Athletic Scholarship
RYLA-Rotary International Youth Leadership Award
Matthew Furlo
Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque WinnerApplied Arts/Trades
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Thomas Gadd
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Isabella Gaspich
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Skidmore College Selective Admission to Regent's College, London
Gregory Geldman
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Diana Genetti
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Ana Graziosi
Irene Bothwell Memorial Scholarship
Anne-Marie Green
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
James Grist
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Patrick Hayes
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Gabriella Hdez
AP Scholar
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Team
Marc Helleboid
AP Scholar
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerMath
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Language Arts Award
UC-Berkeley Regents & Chancellors Scholarship
Jessica Hensley
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Matthew Herrick
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
National Forensic League Degree of Honor
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
The Reverend John Weseley Rice Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Andy Hight
Drexel University, A. J. Drexel Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Zaynah Hindi
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerWorld Language
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Lockheed Martin Corporation Foundation Merit Scholarship
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Mount Holyoke Book Award
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Matthew Hirakawa
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Kathryn Hodgman
CASA Recognition Award
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Rachel Holmes
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
David Holtzman
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
HCA FoundationGood Samaritan Hospital Scholarship
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
USC Trojan Scholar
Kelsey Hopkins
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Adam Hudson
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Kelsey Hunter
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerEnglish
Herbert D. Kelleher & Rollin W. King Southwest Airlines Scholarship
Lehigh University Dean's Scholarship
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Anna Iskandarian
Quintero Commencement Scholarship 2004
Lisa Jemison
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Youth Citizen of the Year 2003
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Kyle Jensen
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Los Gatos Little League Memorial Scholarship
Santa Clara University Scholarship
Santa Clara University School of Engineering Dean's Scholarship
Nestor Judkins
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Joyce Kahng
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Forensic League Degree of Honor
Nathan Kananen
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Shannon Kehrig
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Katherine Kendall-Weed
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Laura King
Dorothy Jackson Memorial Scholarship
Sivanne Korakin
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship
Monica Krach
Society of Women Engineers Award Santa Clara County
Chiara Kramer
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
LGHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Katelin Kramer
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
RYLA-Rotary International Youth Leadership Award
Katherine Lampe
National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Assoc. Academic All-America
Stanford University Athletic Scholarship
Ryan Lecznar
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Andrew Lee
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Jennifer Lee
American Math Competition Award
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerScience
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Science & Technology Award
National Forensic League Degree of Excellence
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Society of Women Engineers Award Santa Clara County
Wellesley College Book Award
Ashley Lester
AP Scholar
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Hilary Lewis
Harvard College Black Alumni Scholarship
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Achievement Scholarship Program Finalist
Mike Loomer
Eric Quesada Passion in Music Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Randy Bass Memorial Music Award
Ranvir Mangat
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
UC Davis Regents Scholarship
Matthew Martini
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Senior Scholar Athlete Award
Los Gatos Lions Club Charlie Wedemeyer Sports Award
National Football Hall of Fame Foundation Scholar-Athlete Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Kathleen McClenathan
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Megan McCrery
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Sandra Cono Memorial Award
Patrick McDonald
American Math Competition Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship
Los Gatos Little League Memorial Scholarship
Christy McKee
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Jacqueline Michaelsen
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
Sabrina Mize
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Jeffrey Mohr
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
John Morin
Louis Sporleder Memorial Scholarship
Robert Morris
AP Scholar
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Emily Myer
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Alexander Nassi
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Nolan Nguyen
United States Senate RecognitionOutstanding Achievement in Environmental Change
Kyle Ozawa
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerVisual Arts
Bert Donlon Excellence in Photography Award
George Samuels Memorial Award for Ceramics
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Optimist Club Los Gatos International Youth Appreciation Recognition Award
Santa Clara University Scholarship
Santa Clara University ACE Business Program Scholarship
Santa Clara University Business Program Dean's Scholarship
Mia Paley-Williams
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Christopher Parides
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Cheryl Parkman
LGHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Angelique Parsons
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerMusic
Emre Altmann Memorial Scholarship
Santa Clara University Grant
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchBill Stratton Scholarship
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchPhiloptochos Scholarship
Robert Pease
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Stanford University Athletic Scholarship
Reid Peppard
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Andrew Perkins
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
University of Puget Sound Trustee Scholarship
Dominic Perrone
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Benjamin Peterson
Vic Collord Environmental Studies Memorial Scholarship
Casey Pfeifer
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Jacquelyn Pimentel
CASA Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
National Forensic League Degree of Honor
Jayne Pimentel
Santa Clara University Preferred Grant
Robert Plachno
Farwell Memorial Scholarship
Helen Orb Memorial Scholarship
Daniel Politi
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Johanna Poon
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Monica Potts
Biola University Community Service Scholarship
Biola University Hume Lake Scholarship
Val Pfeifer Scholarship
Catlin Powers
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Walter Prows
American Math Competition Award
AP Scholar
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Genelle Pugliese
Boston University Dean's Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
Yassi Rafia
Chapman University Grant
Shana Ravel
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
Jonathan Raz
Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque WinnerLiberal Arts
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Harvard Book Award
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship
National Forensic League Degree of Excellence
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Robin Rector
Amy Serwitz/Make The Grade LLC Scholarship
Auxiliary of Los Gatos Community Hospital Scholarship
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
Georgetown University Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Silicon Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation Scholarship
Travis Register
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship
Nicholas Reimnitz
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Erin Richards
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerCommunications
LGHS Journalist of the Year 2004
Nate Richards
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Molly Roberts
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Michael Ross
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
George Saffouri
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerWorld Language
Dartmouth University Book Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Jeanne Tully Award for Excellence in U.S. History
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Cody Salfen
Los Gatos Lions Club Public Service Award
Jessica Sansevere
Los Gatos Art Association - Best Senior Painter Award
Rishi Satia
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
RYLA-Rotary International Youth Leadership Award
Logan Schafer
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Andrew Scher
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
Mark Schnepper
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Whitman CollegeA. J. Anderson Scholarship
Samantha Schradle
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
Peter Scranton
American Math Competition Award
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Alison Seders
University of California, Berkeley Athletic Scholarship
Jordan Senner
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Santa Clara University Math & Science Scholarship
David Seo
AP Scholar
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerScience
Colorado School of Mines Medal of Achievement
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
John D. Albrecht Memorial Science Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Lauren Shepherd
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerWorld Language
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Brandon Silberstein
AP Scholar
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerSocial Sciences
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Performing Arts Award
National Forensic League Degree of Excellence
National Merit Scholar Finalist
Lauren Skilken
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerCommunications
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
National Forensic League Degree of Excellence
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Ina Soh
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Stanford Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Award
Nicole Spilka
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Saoirse Stacke
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Sally Stanton
CASA Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award
LGHS Senior Scholar Athlete Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Lions Club Ted Simonson Educational Scholarship Award
Los Gatos Youth Citizen of the Year 2003
Peckler Family Memorial Scholarship
Society of Women Engineers Award Santa Clara County
Chelsea Starr
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
National Forensic League Degree of Distinction
Katherine Susskind
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Society of Women Engineers Award Santa Clara County
Nathan Swartley
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Home & School Club Scholarship Award
Tiffany Swayne
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Helen Tran
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Samantha Vickery
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Caroline Walters
Santa Clara University Athletic Scholarship
Emily Walton
CASA Scholarship
Emerson Shaw "Close Up" Scholarship
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Elementary Teachers Association Scholarship
Los Gatos Lions Club Public Service Award
Kathleen Wark
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Optimist Club Los Gatos International Youth Appreciation Recognition Award
Mark Watson
Governor's Scholar Award 2001
LGHS Class of 2004 Recognition Award
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Alison White
Miguel Garza Memorial Scholarship
Steven Whitman (Brooks)
Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate WinnerIndustrial Tech
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Chloe Wilder
LGHS Wildcat Service Award
Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship
Justin Wu
Governor's Scholar Award 2002
Stephen Wyszomirski
Los Gatos Rotary Club Career Scholarship
Mark Bingham Memorial Yearbook Spirit Award
Fiona Young
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Sarah Yuki
George Masunaga Endowment Scholarship
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
IBM Thomas J. Watson Memorial Scholarship
Los Gatos Business and Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Los Gatos Lions Club Charlie Wedemeyer Sports Award
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
Society of Women Engineers Award Santa Clara County
Bo Zheng
American Math Competition Award
AP Scholar With Distinction
Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque WinnerMath & Science
Governor's Scholar Award 2001, 2002
Los Gatos Lions Club Science & Technology Award
National Forensic League Degree of Special Distinction
National Merit Scholar Finalist
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Photograph by Eliza Gutierrez