They are the class that kept on going. When Principal Mike
Sanchez remembers San Andreas Continuation High School’s class of
2003, he’ll remember a group of people who never gave up.
They are the class that kept on going.
When Principal Mike Sanchez remembers San Andreas Continuation High School’s class of 2003, he’ll remember a group of people who never gave up.
“You’re an incredible class that has endured a lot,” Sanchez said at the Thursday afternoon ceremony at Bolado Park. “When I think of the class of 2003, you kept going anyway.”
More than 1,000 friends and family members filled the Bolado Park pavilion to watch 139 graduates walk on stage and get their high school diplomas. For many students and their families, it was a tough road to graduation.
Jesus Oropeza’s son had to transfer to San Andreas because of poor grades. It was wonderful for Oropeza to see his son, Andres Jesus Oropeza, graduate.
“I’m proud. It was hard. For me, I thought he’d never graduate,” Oropeza said. “I’ve been pushing for this day. I’m excited because it’s important to have a high school diploma.”
San Andreas is a second stop for students for a variety of reasons, including dropping out of school, being referred by another school or the county probation department, getting behind in units, wanting a small-school environment with more individualized attention and not having much family support.
“For all of these students, someone said along the way ‘you’ll never make it,’ ” said Barbara Murray, lead teacher, before the ceremony. “Not everyone has the same path to the finish line – there are some bumps on the road.”
Crystalynn Castelo led the flag salute and Tim Perkins sang the national anthem.
County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley addressed the students and had the graduates give their family a round of applause for being supportive.
Sanchez reminded the students how they have been determined and encouraged them to keep persevering.
“Look around at the support around you. You’ve caused a lot of stress to a lot of people,” Sanchez said. “When people didn’t believe in you, you kept going anyway. There will be times when people won’t believe in you. There will be times when people tell you ‘you can’t do that.’ You keep going anyway.”
Joan Campbell-Garcia, president of the county board of education, emphasized the importance of San Andreas’s first core belief by reciting it to the crowd.
“We believe our students are our most precious resource, each learning and contributing. The potential of each student must be developed; they deserve the opportunity to succeed,” she read.
Eight graduates gave farewell messages, thanking family, friends and teachers and saying goodbye to the San Andreas family.
Toleen Gonzales said she “would not be here if it wasn’t for the rest of the staff.” Castelo related how her family taught her how to be grateful for what she has.
“My high school experience really changed when I started going to San Andreas,” graduate Rosie Bayne said in her speech. “There are teachers working there that really care about you.”
Graduates were then presented their diplomas by Campbell-Garcia amid cowbells and air horns.
“I’m overwhelmed,” graduate Amber Scott said after the ceremony. “It’s the last day in high school, pretty much.”
Scott’s brother and grandmother flew in from Hawaii for the event. Later in the month, Scott will be moving back to Hawaii with her family.
She plans on attending college in Hawaii and, one day, working as a mechanic for NASCAR, she said.
Scott’s mother, Wynelle Baltazar, was a proud parent.
“It’s been a long road to hope,” Baltazar said. “It was tough for her academically. As a single parent, it was tough.
“San Andreas helped her pull it all together and succeed.”
