Emotions ran high when a standing-room-only crowd gathered to
honor the graduating class of 2005 from San Andreas Continuation
High School yesterday in the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown
Hollister.
Hollister – Emotions ran high when a standing-room-only crowd gathered to honor the graduating class of 2005 from San Andreas Continuation High School yesterday in the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister.
“It has been a tremendous journey for our graduates,” said San Benito County Director of Alternative Education Mike Sanchez.
During the ceremony honoring the 89 members of the school’s 2005 graduating class, seven students addressed the crowd of more than 700 to thank the family members, friends and teachers who have helped to make their dreams come true. Students who gave farewell addresses spoke with emotion and were clearly proud of their accomplishments.
Thomas Hansen thanked his grandmother for always being there to help him, even when he was sent to a juvenile detention center. He went on to thank teachers and friends with whom he was very grateful to share his achievement.
“The whole time I was here it was my pleasure and my honor,” said Hansen, a graduating senior and recipient of the Mexican American Golf Association Scholarship. “This school has been a home for me.”
Student Jeremy Hernandez, who also spoke at the ceremony, said that at one time he had never believed that he would ever graduate from high school.
“I was one of those kids who grew up not knowing what I wanted to do,” Hernandez said. “I thought school was a joke, but here I am today graduating one year early.”
Sanchez, who said he has a personal relationship with everyone of his students, called San Andreas unique because it is small enough to give all students individualized attention.
“One of the things that a high school diploma does is tell the world that you can start something and finish it,” said Sanchez, who added that he has presided over 30 such graduations in Hollister.
“I came from a family that is very service oriented,” Sanchez said. “I come from a family that gets involved and helps people out.”
Students at San Andreas High school have overcome a variety of obstacles to graduate, including homelessness and legal problems, Sanchez said. The school, which was established in 1979, has been providing students with an alternative path to a high school diploma for 25 years.
“Our mission as a staff is to develop capable young people,” Sanchez said. “And the community benefits from that.”
Brett Rowland cover education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com
