See an expanded story on the San Benito, San Andreas and Anzar high school graduations – along with other profiles – on June 19.
The San Benito High School Class of 2012 marked the graduation day with a sign that said a lot about their experience the last four years and their hopes for the future. The sign read, “The world is not ending – we’re just taking over.”
The sun was hot on the baseball field of San Benito High School, where parents, grandparents friends and other supporters gathered for the ceremony. But a few minutes into the students’ processional into the event, a cool breeze kicked up.
Herbert Bosnick and Vincent Parker served as the grand marshalls of the procession while Principal Krystal Lomanto and Chuck Schallhorn served as masters of ceremonies.
“We are at the 2012 graduation ceremony for San Benito High School,” Schallhorn said. “Or as I like to call it, the end of the world.”
The students cheered as he said, “Life wants to know if you are ready.”
Associated Student Body President Kyle Skinner and Senior Class President Nohami Aquino reminisced in speeches about the good times shared by the class of 2012.
Salutatorian Maria Herrera began her speech in Spanish before switching to English. “For some the memories are about dancing and parties,” she said. “For some it’s about cramming for tests.” She said the future all depends on the choices the students make as they move forward.
“If you don’t like your current situation, do something to change it,” she said.
Lomanto spoke to the students midway through the ceremony. “We are gathered to celebrate your achievements and to celebrate the great class of 2012,” she said, adding that the students are done with final exams, lab work, foreign language classes and about to embark on new challenges.
“It’s exciting, but I am going to miss you,” she said. “Part of me wants to say, ‘Stop. Don’t go.’ Who would think a principal would feel separation anxiety from my students?”
She told the students to believe in themselves and the spark that makes them invincible.
