Live Oak High School's 262 graduates celebrated a senior year of triumphant sport wins and academic success Friday evening during commencement exercises at Richert Field.
Live Oak graduated 12 less students this year than last.
The students, who spanned the bleachers bearing smiling faces and sporting forest green caps and gowns as scores of family and friends lay witness to their crowning achievement, were the first graduating class in about 25 years to attend all four years at Live Oak. Previously, ninth grade was taught at the middle school level.
Valedictorian Michelle Dragoescu noted that every test, practice and late night throughout the last 12 years - a third of which were at Live Oak - lead up to that very moment.
"At this culminating moment of accomplishment, we stand before you as well-rounded, successful students," the soon-to-be Stanford University freshman said. "Our diligence and hard work shines through excellence in sports, music, service to the community and academics."
Dragoescu reflected on what she called "quintessentially Live Oak" moments like reading new issues of the school newspaper, the Oak Leaf, waiting in line for cheese bread and hashbrowns and cheering the school on to a 22-7 victory in the first El Toro bowl against rival Sobrato Bulldogs.
Another first, as Live Oak Principal Nick Boden pointed out, was that this graduating class was the first in more than 20 years to have spent their entire four years at Live Oak.
"We have discovered its heart, soul and beauty as a class," he said.
District Superintendent Alan Nishino shared several anecdotes, including one where a parent with 10 children learns that if you only have eight potatoes, you mash them.
"These kids have that creativity," he said.
Jessica Poon, one of two salutatorians, reflected on four years of sports successes, including the girls' varsity water polo team going from underdogs to winning the league championship title. Poon said as members of the class of 2008 journey down different paths and out of their comfort zones, they should each remember to take life as it comes.
"Fall down, mess up, break something occasionally," she said, addressing the crowd. "That's life. And it will not be what you expect of it but what you yourself make of it. Because ready or not, here we come."
Fellow salutatorian Christopher Bailey took issue with "Graduation Day," and pointed out that living is learning - and the lessons don't all come from textbooks.
"I mean the type of learning that is life; the subtle yet blatant lessons that ultimately define the life experience," he said. "Graduation really does not represent the end of school; rather, it represents a change in who is teaching and what is being taught. Instead of a conclusion, today is a checkpoint."
Graduate Tim Dronek said the last week of school was a challenge.
"You're just waiting for it to end," he said. "It's been a long, fun, good journey, though."
Lauren Kirmil said she was worried that, after a perfect senior year, she would trip and fall on stage before being handed her diploma.
"I was so freaked out," she said.
Kirmil, who plans to attend Gavilan College in the fall, said it didn't hit her until prom night that her high school career was coming to an end.
"I thought, 'wow, we're here,'" she said.
Dragoescu had a piece of advice for acorns who come after her.
"Get involved in as many activities as you can," she said. "It's a great way to meet people, and meeting all your classmates is the essence of high school."
For a video of students receiving their diploma, click here.
For a video of students talking about their experiences in high school, click here.
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett covers education and city issues for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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Live Oak celebrates first four-year class
