Everyone remembers the day they graduate from high school, but
for the San Andreas Continuation High School Class of 2006 and
their families the event may hold unique significance.
Everyone remembers the day they graduate from high school, but for the San Andreas Continuation High School Class of 2006 and their families the event may hold unique significance.
“If I asked which of you sometimes thought this might never happen, you would probably all raise your hands,” said Principal Mike Sanchez, addressing his graduates and the audience at yesterday’s commencement ceremony. “… Look around you, graduates, at all the people who got you here, and thank them.”
San Andreas graduated 66 seniors yesterday, a special feat as the Class of 2006 was the first required to pass the California High School Exit Exam in order to receive a diploma. San Andreas is designed to give students who are not thriving in a large, conventional high school setting an opportunity to thrive in a more personal environment.
“At the big high school, you have teachers who tell you ‘Well, you’re going to be one of the kids that just doesn’t graduate,’ ” said senior Tausha Clayton. “But at San Andreas all the teachers say ‘No you will graduate, even if you don’t think you can.'”
The ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of friends and relatives, was decidedly casual in nature. Representatives from the County Office of Education and County School Board spoke briefly to the grads and San Benito High School Superintendent Jean Burns Slater was in attendance as well.
“Welcome to the rest of your lives,” said County Superintendent Tim Foley.
Instead of inviting the class valedictorian or president to speak, any San Andreas students who wanted to say a few words to their fellow students were invited to take the podium.
“Thank you to my teachers … your doors were open and you were ready to listen when I had to say something, whether I needed to just blow off steam or needed help with an assignment,” said Alicia Garcia. “And I’d like to make amends to all of my peers – congratulations, we did it class of 2006.”
Teachers and mentors took the moment to reflect on how far their students had come.
“I love it when talking in class turns into speaking at graduation,” said Lead Teacher Barbara Murray.
But at the end of the day, no one was more proud perhaps, than the families of students who worked so hard to earn the honor of changing their tassels.
“I feel excited for him. He tried really hard to make it,” said Ester Matuk of her nephew, Jaime Rodriguez. “The church is proud of him. We sent out prayers for him. His parents are overwhelmed with joy. He tried his best and got a scholarship. If he can do it anyone could.”
Educators emphasized throughout the ceremony that graduation marks not an end, but a beginning, a notion that graduates seemed to embrace wholeheartedly.
“When I was in high school it seemed like I was going two steps forward, one step back,” said Jesus Vizcarra, who received a scholarship to study cosmetology. “But now that I’m here it feels pretty surreal.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
Nicole Moreno contributed to this report
