Sitting in the bleachers on the visitor’s side of the Ann Sobrato High School football field surrounded by fellow classmates waiting to hear their name called during Thursday’s graduation ceremony, Senior Class Officer Michael Altamirano could not feel more at home.
“It was a special moment,” said Altamirano, 17, who had about 15 family members in attendance as he addressed the crowd filled with hundreds of parents, siblings and friends cheering on their loved ones. “I didn’t feel nervous at all because I was with everyone up there.”
Along with his burgundy cap and gown, Altamirano – a three-year letterman and scholar athlete in basketball who plans on studying kineseology at Cupertino-based De Anza College in the fall – sported a silver tassel for his community service and a copper medal for his leadership role and involvement in the Cal-SOAP program.
“He’s the baby of the family,” said Altamirano’s mother, Irma, whose older son Matthew is a 2008 Sobrato alumnus, and daughter Stefani a 2005 Live Oak High School alumna. “I’m so proud of him.”
Sobrato’s class of 2013 lists 328 graduates on its program. Seniors were supported in full force by proud family members who used iPads, iPhones, cameras and video cameras to capture the special moment as they rattled noise-making devices and held up banners when a familiar name was summoned across the stage to receive a diploma.
“It’s pretty surreal, actually,” said graduate Adrian Quintana, 17, who plans to follow in his father’s footsteps by majoring in marketing and micro-economics at Santa Clara-based Mission College with the hope of transferring to UCLA. Joining his parents were nine family members who made the trip from New Mexico.
“I can’t get it wrapped around my head right now that high school is over,” Quintana continued. “I’m really excited for what the future holds.”
Valedictorian Rebekah Inouye; Salutatorian Moira Foster; Associated Student Body President Sara Orozco; Senior Class Officers Michael Altamirano and John Soto Jr.; and graduates Thomas Burback and Jennifer Gonzalez all gave speeches describing how special their time was at Sobrato and how much they are looking forward to the future.
Sobrato staff also had the chance to weave a verbal tapestry of farewell advice, sentimental parting words and fond memories. Principal Deborah Padilla spoke of overcoming challenges and always being supportive of one another. Keynote speaker Howard Barnes – a social studies teacher and student favorite – shared some special and silly moments from throughout the year, while English teacher Brooke Bailey delivered a heartfelt thanks for the endless support she received from students during her ongoing battle with cancer.
Even Superintendent Wes Smith got emotional at the podium. His daughter, Jordan, was among the graduates and finished in the top 10 percent of her class, was a recipient of the Golden State Seal Merit Award and a California Scholarship Federation Life Member
“I love you,” he said, failing to hold back tears while giving a direct shout-out to his daughter. “I’m gonna miss the hell out of you.”
Smith has a close attachment to the Class of 2013. Several other graduating seniors are close friends of his daughter and frequented Smith’s home.
“I know you are going to do great things,” he told them.
One such student is graduate Jennifer Gonzalez, who finished in the top 10 percent of her class and received a Community Service Award. Smith said he would not be surprised if she became the first female President of the United States.
Smith will be leaving the district at the end of the month to serve as the Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators effective July 1.
The Superintendent was joined on the stage by several Board of Education trustees and members of the Morgan Hill Unified School District administrative staff, most of whom headed over to Live Oak’s graduation ceremony later that same day.
Meanwhile, the Sobrato graduates – who were allowed to sit next to friends during the graduation ceremony rather than in alphabetical order – sang songs, sported flashy sunglasses and Hawaiian leis as they acknowledged family members in attendance and received their diplomas.
“My family definitely supported me a lot and I’m glad they are all here,” said graduate Emerald Nguyen, 17, who looked festive with a bouquet of flowers in one hand, a bevy of balloons in the other and a floral lei around her neck as she took pictures with her dozen or so relatives.
Nguyen finished in the top 10 percent of her class, was a recipient of the Golden State Seal Merit Award and a California Scholarship Federation Life Member. She will head to UC Davis in the fall to study biology.
“It’s definitely scary,” she said. “But I think I’m ready to take that next step and go to college.”
After the ceremony, graduates and their family members were scattered out onto the Sobrato campus. People were snapping pictures fiendishly, sharing smiles and laughs before heading off to celebrate in style around town at local restaurants such as Ladera Grill, where the Altamiranos made reservations.
Some seniors had only a couple of hours to spend with their families before returning to the Sobrato campus for the parent-organized Sober Grad Night party, a romping all-nighter at Boomers in Livermore.
“Honor the Sobrato way throughout the rest of your lives,” detailed Principal Padilla, who praised the dedication and support demonstrated by the Class of 2013, which fundraised more money than any of their graduating predecessors and also earned nearly $3 million in scholarships. “Take pride in your alma mater and your community.”
