A group of 29 Central High School graduates stood smiling in the
grass at the Community and Cultural Center amphitheater Thursday
evening, bewildered, still surprised to find themselves in caps and
gowns when just a few weeks or even days ago they were dozens of
credits behind.
A group of 29 Central High School graduates stood smiling in the grass at the Community and Cultural Center amphitheater Thursday evening, bewildered, still surprised to find themselves in caps and gowns when just a few weeks or even days ago they were dozens of credits behind.
Central Continuation High School is where Morgan Hill Unified School District’s wayward youths go for a second chance to earn their diplomas in a more intimate setting.
Principal Irene Macias-Morriss said there were more students who were very far behind this year than in years past. Many students felt overwhelmed and discouraged, she said.
“There were more students who felt they couldn’t do it,” Macias-Morriss said of the Central Class of 2009. “How sweet it is to see the students who did make it here today. This group really appreciated what they earned.”
Last year, Central graduated a record 50 students. This year, though, just 29 of the 60-something students in the Class of 2009 graduated.
The 29 would-be-wayward youths worked hard to stand on the amphitheater stage Thursday evening, before about 200 of their friends, family members and school district leaders such as Board President Don Moody and Superintendent Alan Nishino.
Melissa Martin admitted that she was a tough student, stubborn and very outspoken. Martin, like many of the 29 graduates, said she was a simple case of goofing off in class – or not going at all – until it got to the point where she couldn’t earn the credits needed to graduate in the traditional high school setting. She transferred to Central from Live Oak High School. Like her peers this year, Martin wasn’t sure if she could make it.
“The teachers cared enough to push my negativeness away,” Martin said. ” I really didn’t think I would be up here.”
Macias-Morriss said the fact that they were graduating didn’t hit many of the 29 seniors until Wednesday’s graduation practice.
“It was like, ‘This is really happening!’ ” she said of their reactions to themselves during the practice. “This is the school of hope.”
Evelyn Bidart, who shared stage time with Martin as they both gave speeches, was likewise overjoyed.
“I never thought I’d be here,” Evelyn Bidart said. “I least expected it when I was told one month ago that I was not going to graduate from Live Oak.”
Later, Bidart high-fived her favorite Central teacher, David Craig.
“I’m pumped. I’m done!” she exclaimed.
Central’s Senior of the Year was Jonathan Alejo.
“Jonathan has always been the most talkative student at 8 a.m.,” Principal Irene Macias-Morriss said. “But he did the most important thing: he showed up to school at 8 a.m.”
Alejo had trouble expressing his emotions following the ceremony, diploma in hand.
“I never expected to get that award. I was shocked. I’m excited. Emotional. What’s that word?” Alejo said, feigning thoughtfulness with his hand on his chin, eyes gazing up. “Speechless.”
Stoic 17-year-old Brian Stowell Jr. proudly spoke before his classmates and attendees.
Stowell Jr. described himself as a very troubled kid who cared more about girls, sports, fighting and having fun during his junior year than school. Then, during his senior year, things got more complicated.
“I started to lose focus. My dad and I weren’t getting along, we were having money problems and looking to move. I was feeling burdened and was depressed,” he said.
Then, a month ago, his father Brian Stowell Sr. arranged a meeting with Macias-Morriss.
One by one, unbeknownst to the father and son, his teachers filed into a Central office with encouraging words that inspired Stowell Sr. to utter the words his son hadn’t heard in so long.
“For the first time in a long time, my father told me he was proud of me,” Stowell Jr. said. “Hearing this motivated me a lot.”
With just four weeks left in the school year, Stowell earned the 30-some credits he had left to meet the 220 credit requirement to receive a diploma.
“It was like our last hope,” Stowell Sr. said of the meeting. “I was overwhelmed with the words of encouragement, and the lengths they went to help him achieve and get through. He went from being lost and giving up hope to, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel.”
