GOODBYE, HIGH SCHOOL THOUSANDS OF NEW GRADS MARK PASSAGE.Byline: Harrison Sheppard, Jason Kandel and Dana Bartholomew Staff Writers Celebration, tears and hugs were the order of the day Thursday as thousands of seniors graduated from San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. high schools. From Chatsworth to Reseda, students said farewell to their high school days, parents beamed with pride and mortarboards were sent sailing to bright skies overhead. An estimated 6,500 Valley seniors graduated Thursday as commencements got under way, with an additional 3,270 students attending Valley Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. campuses expected to go through ceremonies by the end of this month. ``We have survived high school as a class and we will continue to survive life as strong individuals,'' said Verdugo Hills High School's class president and valedictorian, Amy Pham. ``As we leave Verdugo, you can be certain you left your mark and I'm confident we will continue to leave our mark as we journey forward.'' At the school in Tujunga, 302 seniors received diplomas in Turner Stadium - renamed last year in honor of Gary Turner, who retired this past February after 16 years as the school's principal. Turner, the keynote speaker at Verdugo, said he was saddened that his time at the school has ended, but proud to see his last graduating class beginning new lives. He advised students to look forward to the new century. ``Meet its challenges, grow with the fast and ever-fading years, keep your focus and your good outlook on life, especially your sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour ,'' Turner said. ``And use your intelligence wisely and your common sense often.'' Verdugo's seniors named themselves the Delphians, in reference to Delphic Apollo, the Greek god of poetry, prophecy, medicine and light. They chose as their class colors green and silver, and graduated wearing green gowns. At Chatsworth High School, 580 seniors received diplomas as hundreds of loved ones loved ones npl → seres mpl queridos loved ones npl → proches mpl et amis chers loved ones love npl cheered and waved at Gjertrud Smith Field. ``This is a very big moment,'' graduate honors student An honors student is a student in elementary, middle, or high school recognized for achieving high grades. Honors students are recognized on lists published periodically throughout the school year, known as "honor rolls". Rov DeGuzman, who plays the piano and will enroll at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. in the fall, said before the ceremony began. ``I have actually been ready for this since I entered senior year. This is just a new beginning. It's about going uphill now, to keep on going, going to the stars.'' The grandstands lining the fields at the home of the Chancellors were filled with families and friends holding colorful bouquets of flowers and balloons. The students, meanwhile, put up with one final requirement of their high school careers: being patted down for weapons by school staff members before putting on their caps and gowns. ``I'm running late,'' said Hector Lerma, in a baggy blue shirt and black pants, carrying a neatly folded cap and gown on his right arm, as he rushed to be searched before lining up to walk in the procession. Police added patrols around some campuses to ensure the crowds were safe on graduation day Graduation Day refers to:
In her commencement address, valedictorian Jessica Duboff Jessica Duboff (1989-1996) was an American aviator. At seven years old she set a record for (interrupted) flight across the United States by a person of her age, although she did not complete the journey. She died at Cheyenne, Wyoming during takeoff. recalled pulling all-nighters during finals week, witnessing the winning touchdown at her first football game, and building lasting friendships. ``We're leaving behind four years of school, laughter, tears, love and friendship,'' said Duboff, standing behind a lectern near the football field's northern end zone. ``The years may blur together, and the images will fade, but the memory will always remain.'' At Cleveland High School in Reseda, more than 450 graduates took to Verity Field before 2,500 parents and friends who packed the bleachers. Like graduations across the area, the pomp POMP n. A drug used in cancer chemotherapy and composed of purinethol (6-mercaptopurine), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), methotrexate, and prednisone. at Cleveland meant a cap, gown and center field. For the Cleveland Class of 2001 - a class named the Alpha Omegas, a class whose motto was ``Our hearts hold the past as our hands grasp the future'' - speakers spoke of change at the campus. Of becoming an individual. Of sharing bright and unique futures. And some paid tribute to the long suffering of their parents. ``It's true: It takes a village to raise a child,'' said Alana Mitnick, 17, Ephebian honor student and vice president of the senior class. ``Even though we wear the caps and gowns, today is your day.'' Parents were thrilled. ``I'm a very proud mom,'' said Isabel Mora MORA, In civil law. This term, in mora, is used to denote that a party to a contract, who is obliged to do anything, has neglected to perform it, and is in default. Story on Bailm. Sec. 123, 259; Jones on Bailm. 70; Poth. Pret a Usage, c. 2, Sec. 2, art. 2, n. of Arleta, with her husband just as their daughter, Maria Isabel, 17, was called to collect her diploma. ``We are very happy my daughter is graduating.'' Cleveland's student speakers also highlighted what many seniors have accomplished to make it this far. ``Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've finally done it - we've graduated,'' Steve Mathias said. ``Graduation is more than the robes and speeches - it's a rite of passage rite of passage n. A ritual or ceremony signifying an event in a person's life indicative of a transition from one stage to another, as from adolescence to adulthood. . ``This ceremony doesn't just celebrate what we've done in high school, but our success in life.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Jeremiah Rice, above, gets a pre-graduation hug from his girlfriend, Jeriel Earls, on Thursday at Verdugo Hills High School Verdugo Hills High School (VHHS) is a public school located in Tujunga, Los Angeles, California within the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school serves students from several areas of Los Angeles, including Sunland, Tujunga, Lake View Terrace, and portions of North . Earls will be a senior next year. At left, Cleveland High School graduate Vincent Stadnik tips his mortarboard mortarboard closefitting cap with flat square piece and tassel; part of academic costume. [Am. and Br. Culture: Misc.] See : Education to show off his spiked hair, dyed hot red for the special occasion. Michael Owen
Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News (3) Graduating seniors at Chatsworth High School celebrate during commencement ceremonies at the campus Thursday evening. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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