From left, Sarah Lopez, Dahajaira Lopez and Sarah Locarnini applaud after Principal Nick Boden gave a motivational speech to the soon-to-be Live Oak graduates before they head to Richert Field for the graduation ceremony Friday.
Wind-tossed maroon mortarboards swirled above the back field at Sobrato High School Friday evening as 313 seniors, after turning tassels from left to right, became the second graduating class at the school.
"We are like 300 Spartans ... I am so proud of my class, of all of you," said Class of 2008 Valedictorian John Yoon during his address before diplomas were handed out to the maroon-robed graduates.
During the many speeches, a common theme emerged, from students and administrators alike - establishing traditions in a new school, building a family.
The high school opened on Aug. 24, 2004, with only freshmen and sophomores, the freshmen being this year's graduating class, the first to spend four years at the school as the sophomores spent their ninth grade year one of the district's two middle schools or other schools.
"This was the birth of a family, the establishment of tradition," said ASB President Isela Ba'uelos of the graduates' first years at the school. "Our school was under construction and so were we."
Ba'uelos was selected as the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year for 2007.
Family and friends packed the chairs near the stage as well as the rented bleachers the school had set up not only to accommodate the graduation ceremony but also the school's Festival of the Arts and the anti-drinking and driving program "Every 15 Minutes."
The crowd was jubilant but respectful as the graduates filed into their seats in front of the stage to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance." First-year Principal Debbie Padilla told the class and their supporters that she was proud and happy to be a part of their celebration. The graduates garnered approximately $500,000 in scholarships, four of which are "full rides," scholarships which pay all costs for a college education, she said.
Superintendent Alan Nishino reminded the graduates that Father's Day is approaching and the importance of families, then read a poem for families of the seniors illustrating the importance of praise for their achievements and unconditional love and support.
Salutatorian Jamie Inouye told his peers his four years at Sobrato were some of the best of his life.
"To say that I've enjoyed the last four years at Sobrato would be a drastic understatement," he said.
He also reminded them of opportunities awaiting them in the future.
"Wherever it is you go from here ... there are decisions that have to be made that no one else can or will make for you ... how cool is that," he asked, to appreciative laughter from his class.
The loudest approbation came with the introduction of the evening's keynote speaker, Sobrato founding father Rich Knapp, who was the school's principal before it even opened, playing a major role in its design and the leading role in putting together its staff. Knapp retired at the end of the 2006-07 school year.
"We opened this school on Aug. 24, 2004, we had 640 students then, 370 from your class," he said, going on to describe the ongoing construction during that first year and its resultant glitches, including air conditioning that didn't work until November of that year.
"You saw an opportunity to create and build tradition and a family," Knapp told the graduating class. "You created a nurturing climate where students supported each other and permitted all students to achieve at high levels."
Knapp reminded the students and their families of all the achievements not only of their class but of all students - in the arts and extracurricular activities, including sports. Sobrato athletic teams have won 12 league championships, with eight earned during this class' senior year.
But what is most striking, Knapp added, is the academic achievement of Sobrato students.
"Forty-six percent of this graduating class has a grade point average of 3.0 or better, 22 percent has a GPA of above 3.5, while 7 percent have a GPA of above 4.0," he announced to ever-louder cheers at each statistic.
Class officers President P.J. Boyd and Vice President Scott Balog announced the class gift to the school, a giant block "S" on the western hills visible as students and others drive west on Burnett Avenue where the school is located.
"We're not only just a class, but more of a family," they told their fellow graduates. "We'd like to leave something to remember us by ... The "S" on the hill will remain here forever."
They also spoke for their classmates in thanking Knapp for his return to the school for the ceremony.
"He will always be the very first Bulldog," they said.
While graduates paraded onto the stage to receive their diplomas and congratulations from Nishino, Padilla, school board members and school staff, those still seated cheered loudly for their friends, took pictures with cell phones and cameras and randomly tossed beach balls to each other.
As the last member of Sobrato's Class of 2008, Tiffany Zanotto, crossed the stage, her peers began chants of "Seniors, seniors, seniors," some tried to instigate "the wave," and several times it rippled through the graduates. Someone tossed up and batted around an inflatable doll.
"At least it was a blonde, thank you," said Padilla wryly, who has shoulder-length blonde hair, bringing a laugh from the group.
The newly-liberated students filed out as the music group Queen's "We Are the Champions" blasted from the speakers, still not overwhelming the yells and glad shrieks from supporters as they greeted their grads.
Due to a camera malfunction, we were unable to tape the Sobrato graduation. However, we hope to have a video of the graduation up by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience.
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or send her an email.
Although the Morgan Hill Times does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Morgan Hill Times reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Morgan Hill Times in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Morgan Hill Times also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
Due to a camera malfunction, we were unable to tape the Sobrato graduation. However, we hope to have a video of the graduation up by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience.
