CAP-AND-GOWN SEASON SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SENIORS BIDDING ADIEU TO HIGH SCHOOL.

Byline: Holly Edwards and Ryan Oliver Staff Writers

Thousands of seniors graduated from San Fernando Valley public high schools Thursday as the first round of commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2002 got under way.

At Grant High School's ceremony - held at Valley College's sports stadium - parents, grandparents and loved ones waved balloons and flowers and shouted as the graduates marched onto the field.

Some parents wiped tears as they watched their sons and daughters step to the podium and accept their diplomas.

``It's very bittersweet,'' said Karen Pritikin, as her daughter, Jessica, graduated from Grant. ``I think I'm in denial. I still can't believe she's leaving at the end of the summer for college.''

An aspiring attorney who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin this fall, Jessica Pritikin is among the first class of graduates required to develop a post-graduation plan under a new local policy.

During the commencement, Local District C Superintendent Robert Collins told the crowd that, as a result of the policy, the graduates' futures are more secure.

``These graduates have committed themselves to their future in a very special way, and we should be proud of them all,'' Collins said. ``They are walking into a future that has been secured for them.''

While critics of the policy feared it would lead to fewer seniors graduating, in fact, the number of graduates this year increased in District C by 295 students, school officials said. In all, 3,596 students in the local district graduated.

``This shows that when counselors, administrators and teachers work together, kids can rise to levels we never expected,'' Collins said after the ceremony. ``These kids have a greater sense of confidence and maturity because they have a goal for their life.''

Grant High's valedictorian, Dana Raviv, told her classmates that now was the time to reflect on the past, enjoy the present, consider the future, and apply the lessons learned in high school.

``One of the greatest things about leaving high school is the chance to pick and chose what we liked and disliked about what we've done, and decide what we want to change,'' she said. ``Now is the time to think and to decide what mistakes we're going to make up for.''

At Verdugo High School, 310 graduating seniors at the Home of the Patriots took to the football field for the campus's first evening ceremony to accommodate the students' request for fireworks.

``It's sweet. We've been waiting for this for 12 years and it's finally here,'' said senior Dennis Wammack, 17.

Beaming parents and school staffers cheered on the students who made them proud. Some students flipped on cell phones as soon as they received their diplomas to make or get a call. Senior Wes Tom played a Jimi Hendrix-like version of the Star Spangled Banner on solo guitar.

``It's a great group of kids,'' said school counselor Jan Hackett, who said she, too, enjoyed the new evening schedule. ``They couldn't have gotten a better education anywhere. It's beautiful to do this at sunset.''

But the tragedy of Sept. 11 wasn't lost on the young people as some of the student speakers made reference to the attacks they hoped would not come again in their futures.

``I'm really happy to be graduating, but I know I'm going to miss everybody,'' said head varsity cheerleader Anasheh Abramiyan, 18.

Natalie Thompson, who's planning to attend Glendale Community College and to become a schoolteacher, said she was ready for the next step.

``I'm all set,'' she said.

Other Valley graduation ceremonies Thursday included Birmingham High School, Canoga Park High School, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, Reseda High School, Valley Alternative Magnet, Kennedy High School and Taft High School.

Upcoming commencements include: Chatsworth High School, Granada Hills High School, El Camino Real High School and Sylmar High School today; Francis Polytechnic High School, Van Nuys High School and North Hollywood High School on Thursday; Monroe High School and San Fernando High School on June 28.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Verdugo High School seniors head toward receiving their diplomas Thursday during commencement ceremonies at the Tujunga campus.

(2 -- color) Grant High School English teacher Nancy Fisher, left, distributes pins to help seniors with their mortarboards for Thursday's commencement ceremonies.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer