The school's historic administration building, nearly surrounded with temporary fencing, was masked on June 10 with green canvas for the 117th commencement exercises that took place on the high school terrace. The school has been under construction during the last four years for these graduates. Approximately 380 students marched, stumbled or paraded down the front steps of the school as their predecessors had done before them since 1887.

"For me, it's been fun," Webb says. "We've gotten to see the school develop into something great."

The graduates have experienced false fire alarms, dodged construction trucks and moved from mold-infested classrooms into pristine learning environments with clean desks, new whiteboards and a campus that boasts a state-of-the-art aquatic center and locker rooms.

"We tolerated it all partly because we didn't have a choice," jokes Webb, as laughter ensued from the expansive audience on the school's front lawn.

The grassy area was packed with families and friends, some camped on blankets and others holding umbrellas, bouquets of flowers or orange and black balloons that floated in the breeze. The graduating females wore traditional white gowns and mortar boards, while the males were in black.

The graduating speakers, including Justin Duckham, Laura Garnett, Webb and Jeff Collins, brought up how the scholars are now entering the world outside of Los Gatos to try to change it for the better. These Wildcats leave with many lasting memories, Collins says, including a monstrous football win over rival Saratoga High.

Some students might view the past four years as the ultimate high school experience, Garnett says, while to others it was a trip to hell and back again. But on June 10, they were all smiles and hugs as they clutched their diplomas and touted pride for their generation.

"The world is not going to end on our watch," Duckham pledges. "Everything will be OK."

Retiring Principal Trudy McCulloch officially certified the class had met all graduation requirements of the school district and the state. Then, graduates Rachel BeDell, Steve Edlund, Ashleigh Hill, Ryan Hunsaker, Cassie Peppard, Roth Rind, Lauren Ruhstorfer and Erika Sengstack sang in a cappella the school's alma mater. As their voices rang in harmony on the last note, the sky filled with confetti and black and white caps were tossed high into the air.

Los Gatos High School honors 2005 graduates

Los Gatos High School honors

Naomi Abel

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Quintero Commencement Scholarship 2005

Jeremy Bays

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Mathieu Berthet

Community Against Substance Abuse Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Senior Service Cup Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Louis and Virginia Sporleder Memorial Scholarship

David Bitter

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Jeffrey Blue

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Natalie Brand

Irene Bothwell Memorial Scholarship

National German Exam Award

Michael Brienzo

Denison University Dean's Scholarship

Edward B. Howell Memorial Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

Vanessa Brunner

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

University of Oregon Dean's Scholarship

Michael Burton

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Taylor Cartmill

First United Methodist Church of Los Gatos Ruth Dick Hunter Scholarship

Melissa Chan

UCLA Scholar Athlete Scholarship

Kristen Chang

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

Mark Bingham Memorial Yearbook Spirit Award

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

University of the Pacific Regent's Scholar

Eric Chen

AP Scholar

Avogadro Excellence in Chemistry Award

Edward B. Howell Memorial Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Senior Scholar Athlete Award

Los Gatos Lions Club Charlie Wedemeyer Sports Award

National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Yale Book Award

Christine Coleman

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Kevin Cunningham

Jim Ruff Memorial Community Service Scholarship

Julia Davies

National German Exam Award

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Sabrina Davies

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Justin Duckham

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Steve Edlund

Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque Winner—Fine Arts

Ginny Levin Fund Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Los Gatos Lions Club Performing Arts Award

Optimist International Youth Appreciation Award

John Emison

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Lions Club Public Service Award

Los Gatos Little League Memorial Scholarship

Michael Floyd

Community Against Substance Abuse Scholarship

Andrew Ford

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Marc Freitas

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Applied Arts and Trades

Nicholas Gaffney

Menlo College Academic Scholarship

Daniel Gallagher

AP Scholar

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Finalist

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

Laura Garnett

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Jessica Gould

Sandra Cono Memorial Award

Alyssa Grandino

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

John D. Albrecht Memorial Science Scholarship

Jasmine Granas

Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque Winner—Applied Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship
Award

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Adam Gutto

Community Against Substance Abuse Scholarship

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Navneet Hakhu

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Mathematics Recognition Award

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

Daniel Hayashi

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Daniel Heng

AP Scholar

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Journalist of the Year Award 2005

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Nathanial Henry

U.S. Military Academy—West Point Appointment

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

Lauren Herberg

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Erika Hight

AP Scholar

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Wellesley College Book Award

Phillip Hoebeke

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Fine Arts

Calvin College Calvin Grant Scholarship

Denominational Grant Scholarship

Knollcrest Grant Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Kelsey Hood

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Optimist International Youth Appreciation Award

University of Portland Arthur Schulte Scholarship

Jeffrey Huang

American Mathematics Competition Award

AP Scholar with Distinction

Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque Winner—Science and Mathematics

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Rensselaer Award

Siemens Corporation Merit Scholarship

Gene Huh

American Mathematics Competition Award

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Emre Altmann Memorial Scholarship

National Forensic League Degree of Merit Award

Brooke Hulteen

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Ryan Hunsaker

American Mathematics Competition Award

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Brigham Young University Scholar

Jeanne Tully Award for Excellence in U.S. History

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Ben Johnson

AP Scholar with Distinction

Avogadro Excellence in Chemistry

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Dartmouth University Book Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Lions Club Ted Simonson Educational Scholarship Award

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

U.S. Navy Science Achievement Award

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award

Michelle Johnson

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

Emi Kapp

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Philip Kay

American Mathematics Competition Award

AP Scholar with Honor

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Daniel Kent

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Jackie Lang

National German Exam Award

Thomas Levenhagen

James Farwell Memorial Scholarship

Nate Lillich

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

James Lok

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

Jon Lynch

Adam Brown Memorial Award

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Rebecca Mason

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

University of the Pacific Scholar Athlete Scholarship

Melanie Matsuo

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Art Association Best Painter Award

Kyle McCarthy

Los Gatos Rotary Club Vocational Scholarship 2005

Donovan Chris McKell

East Side Teacher's Association Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

Lauren Miller

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Benjamin Moorman

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Tom Morrissey

Los Gatos Lions Club Charlie Wedemeyer Sports Award

Douglas Mosher

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence

University of Southern California Music Merit Scholarship

Keenan Murray

AP Scholar with Honor

Bryce Byrd Spirit Memorial Scholarship

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

Jay Musen

Academic Paper Award National Society of High School Scholars

AP Scholar

Avogadro Excellence in Chemistry Award

Bank of America Achievement Award Plaque Winner—Liberal Arts

Bausch and Lomb Award

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Governor's Scholar
Award 2002

Los Gatos Lions Club Science and Technology Award

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Jennifer Nakata

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Miguel Garza Memorial Scholarship

National Forensic League Degree of Merit Award

University of Southern California Trojan Scholarship

Hilary Norcott

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Junior Service Cup Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Anna Norman

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Kids Cheering Kids Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos-Saratoga Soroptimist's Violet Richardson Award

Michael O'Brien

American Mathematics Competition Award

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Bashir Olangian

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Claire Orosco

Los Gatos Lions Club Science and Technology Award

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Taylor Orr

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Journalist of the Year Award 2005

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Takamasa Osone

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Katherine Pease

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Loma Prieta Club Mountain Student Scholarship

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Katrina Pepper

Los Gatos High School Alumni Association

Melissa Peth

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Elementary Teachers Association Scholarship

Vincent Petrino

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Caitlyn Phelps

National Forensic League Degree of Merit Award

Anita Prasad

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

Trudy McCulloch Scholarship

Thomas Quinn

National Forensic League Degree of Honor Award

Jiaan Rajabzadeh

Community Against Substance Abuse Scholarship

Sam Richards

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Forensic League Degree of Merit Award

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Bailey Richardson

AP Scholar

Avogadro Excellence in Chemistry Award

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Colorado Mines Medal of Achievement

Los Gatos High School Senior Scholar Athlete Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Lions Club Charlie Wedemeyer Sports Award

Los Gatos Little League Memorial Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Heidi Richter

AP Scholar

Kathleen Richter

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Roth Rind

Community Against Substance Abuse Scholarship

Jim Ruff Memorial Community Service Scholarship

Katharyn Roberts

Biola University Academic Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Community Foundation

Sarah Roberts

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Visual Arts Scholarship

Mount Holyoke Book Award

Nicole Rodriguez

Kathleen Ash Barraclough String Scholarship 2004

Los Gatos High School Alumni Association

Selena Rowan

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Lindsey Ryan

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Shayan Saghari

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Jake Schonig

U.S. Air Force Academy Academic Scholarship

Richard Sears

Susan E. McClendon Scholarship

University of Southern California Jazz Studies Scholarship

Kaitlin Seders

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Richard Segnitz

AP Scholar

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Fine Arts

George Samuels Memorial Award for Ceramics

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Erika Sengstack

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Fine Arts

Los Gatos High School Alumni Association

Los Gatos Lions Club Performing Arts Award

Alex Shoemaker

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

David Slinger

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

UC Riverside Chancellor's Scholarship Award

Deborah Smith

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Kathleen Ash Barraclough String Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Lisa Smith

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Santa Clara University Merit Scholarship

Sunoz Soroosh

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Kids Cheering Kids Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Eric Soung

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Peckler Family Memorial Scholarship Award

Alexandra St. Charles

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

AP Scholar

Caroline Stege

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Lindsay Steinfeld

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Jason Stokes

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Patricia Strawser

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Allison Sugahara

District Teachers Association Scholarship

Kristen Swanson

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Fine Arts

Randy Bass Memorial Music Award

Charles Talpas

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Turnaround Scholarship

Benjamin Thiemann

American Mathematics Competition Award

Amy Serwitz/Make The Grade LLC Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Jeffrey Thomas

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Jenny Tighe

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Liberal Arts

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Lions Club Language Arts Award

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

George Tretiakoff

AP Scholar

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

National Merit Scholar Finalist

UC Los Angeles Merit Scholarship

Claire Van Zuiden

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

Mariela Celeste Ventocilla

National German Exam Award

Garth vonAhnen

Robert S. Lozano Excellence in Art Award

Susan E. McClendon Scholarship

David Wang

AP Scholar with Honor

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos Rotary Club
Scholarship

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

UC Berkeley Alumni Scholarship

Nicole Wasserman

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Kevin Webb

AP Scholar

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Harvard Book Award

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Rotary Club Scholarship

National Forensic League Degree of Excellence Award

National Merit Scholar Finalist

Silicon Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation Scholarship

Ashleigh Weissman

Emerson Shaw "CloseUp" Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Journalist of the Year Award 2005

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Los Gatos Lions Club Public Service Award

Jennifer Werner

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award

Los Gatos Community Services Commission Award

James West

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Teresa Weygandt

Dorothy Jackson Memorial Scholarship

Brittany Whitmyre

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Valerie Williams

AP Scholar with Honor

Bank of America Achievement Award Certificate Winner—Math and Science

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Los Gatos High School Home and School Club Scholarship Award

National Merit Scholar Commended Student

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Alexander Wu

Governor's Scholar Award 2002

Tian Chen (Lisa) Xue

Los Gatos Rotary Club
Scholarship

Society of Women Engineers Award—Santa Clara County

Tina Zhu

Los Gatos Rotary Club
Scholarship

RYLA—Rotary International Youth Leadership Award

LGHS Wildcat Service Award

Melissa Zimmer

Lake Erie College Alumni Scholarship

Los Gatos High School Wildcat Service Award