For the 48 Central High School students who received their diplomas, the June 2 commencement ceremony meant the completion of an uphill journey filled with hardships and setbacks that, gradually throughout the school year, turned into successes and accomplishments.
“These students don’t take their graduation as simply just another thing to do. They understand how they really had to work for this,” said seventh-year Central High civics/world history teacher Christine Charlebois. “They had to overcome extreme obstacles. They value this very much. These ceremonies are very emotional. Each one of them is very invested in that diploma.”
Students come to Central behind in the necessary academic credits to graduate from high school. A more hands-on approach by teachers in a smaller class-size environment helps these at-risk students catch up with their coursework.
Central’s 2016 Student of the Year was Jakob Gamboa, who will continue his studies at Gavilan College. Graduates Jerry Juarez and Austin Flower addressed their classmates at the ceremony held at Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center’s Downtown Amphitheater. Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate was the keynote speaker.
Graduate Christopher Fuentes, who will enter the U.S. Army Reserves, led the crowd and Class of 2016 in the Pledge of Allegiance.
One-third of the student population at Central received some sort of scholarship and/or award from the community, totaling more than $10,000, according to Charlebois.
“It was a very enjoyable year, very successful year,” Charlebois said. “The school itself received a glowing accreditation from WASC.”
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Morgan Hill resident and amateur photographer Pi Silverstein shoots Central High School’s graduation ceremony every year, and makes all his photos available to graduates, students, families and members of the community, free of charge. To view and/or download photos of the June 2 Central High ceremony, and individual photos of the 48 graduates, visit centralgrad16.shutterfly.com.
