Thursday’s graduation ceremony at San Benito High School
featured the requisite adoring parents, flying beach balls and
speeches about how the Class of ’07 was taking its first steps
toward a brighter tomorrow.
Thursday’s graduation ceremony at San Benito High School featured the requisite adoring parents, flying beach balls and speeches about how the Class of ’07 was taking its first steps toward a brighter tomorrow.
The superintendent quoted a Leann Womack song in his speech as students implored him to instead sing the verses; valedictorian Peter Pham sang in Japanese; and I sat there worried that the morning sun would burn the left side of my face.
It was my second commencement as a teacher, marking the end of my probationary period and setting me on my way to a brighter tomorrow – especially since most of my tomorrows for the next two months will be spent on vacation.
As much as graduation was a time of celebration and reflection for students and parents, it was also a time for me to reflect as I baked in my black gown as students received their diploma cases (diplomas won’t be ready until August).
Since it was my second year, I recognized many more students as they made their way up to the podium. Most of them brought a smile to my face as I remembered their hard work, the sense of humor, the way they’d try to weasel out of work, or the fact that they asked if I was going to attend the ceremony – a high compliment.
There was Patricia Floch, who will be heading off to boot camp in a few weeks, ready to serve her country in the armed forces. She was one of those students who finished her work before anyone else, then would ask what else she could do. She is hard-working and dedicated and will serve our country proudly. She is the type of person you’d want defending your freedom.
I saw Luke Ramos, who was the class entertainer in sixth block. I would go bug him about getting his newspaper story done, and he would bust out in a rap song, smiling the whole time as he assured me it would get finished. His final grade reflected his effort and his admitted senioritis, but he is a good kid about whom I’ll have good memories.
Petrina Daw may have had the proudest look on her face of all the graduates I knew. As seniors entered the commencement area, her chin was held high and her face was beaming. She was proud of what she had done and I was proud to have taught her. In yearbook class, most students spent three or four minutes explaining their final project in front of the class. Petrina took 10 minutes to explain hers. She was a bit nervous, but her pride showed. That confidence will serve her well in the future.
I saw a number of students who could have done better or who just got by, but in the end they made it to this ceremony, meaning that they’ve given themselves a great chance in life. Some will succeed, some will fail, and some will do both, a few times.
They persevered for four years and their teachers persevered along with them – and everyone had smiles at the end of it all. Congratulations to the Class of 2007. Make the most of your chance at success.
