Emotions ran high as Central Continuation High School
’s class of 2005 collected the diplomas many had worked so hard
for during a ceremony at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural
Center Thursday.
Emotions ran high as Central Continuation High School’s class of 2005 collected the diplomas many had worked so hard for during a ceremony at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Thursday.
Parents snapped photos and let their video cameras roll as each of 53 graduates received their diploma and a handshake from principal Irene Macias-Morriss and members of the Morgan Hill School Board, including out-going superintendent Carolyn McKennan.
Last year only 42 students graduated, ten less than the prior year.
Students who graduated from Central attended the continuation school because they needed a non-traditional classroom environment to succeed academically.
But as first-year Principal Macias-Morriss pointed out during her speech to graduates and their parents, every one of the students deserve their hard-earned diplomas.
“These students really worked hard,” Macias-Morriss said. “They see how really important education really is.”
When Macias-Morriss addressed a crowd of nearly 400 people, she stressed the importance of having the right attitude which each student learned during their time at Central.
“Attitude can make or break a company,” Macias-Morriss said, “it can make or break a school and it can make or break a person.”
For Trevor Cory, this year’s senior of the year, Central was a place that gave him and other students a fair chance to finish school.
“A lot of students, such as my self, are not cut out for traditional high school,” Cory said during his address to the audience and fellow classmates. “Central gives the education we need and deserve.”
Cory’s mother Lyn Cory said she has really seen a change in her son who started high school with no visions for the future.
“He is a different kid now,” she said, barely able to hide her enthusiasm. “He’s got confidence and a clear head. He sees himself with a future.”
For the students, the experience of graduating was a little overwhelming. Most said they couldn’t believe how fast the date came, others were just glad high school was over.
“I feel really good,” said Daniqua Owen. “I thought it would take a lot longer than this.”
Jessie Lentz reminisced to her years in junior high looking ahead to when she graduated.
While graduation marks the end high school and closes a chapter in the young graduates’ lives, Central teacher David Craig said it really is the start of adulthood.
“This really is a beginning,” he said. “Soon they will see this as a beginning.”
But Craig said he was still proud of what each student accomplished.
“It’s tremendous,” Craig said. “I’m just real excited for what they have done.”
Cheeto Barrera is an intern for the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at cb******@mo*************.com.
“The selection of the theme ‘Simply the best’ is more than a depiction of who you are,” Boden said. “It also represents what the world you are about to enter expects of you.”
While Boden gave advice to the students to send them on their way, he also took the time to have the students acknowledge the love and support their families gave to them during their journey.
The ceremony not only honored the new graduates, it also recognized Morgan Hill resident Ted Kubota who attended Live Oak from 1939 to 1942 before he was forced to leave California for an interment camp in Arizona. Under the order of President Franklin Roosevelt, Kubota and other Japanese Americans were relocated to internment camps during World War II. Though Kubota finished his degree while in Arizona, he was invited back to this year’s ceremony to collect the diploma he had rightly earned before the war.
Like Kubota, the graduates’ names were read by teachers and they were greeted by members of the Morgan Hill School Board and City Council Member Larry Carr as they crossed the stage.
The ceremony was special to everyone who participated, but for Alex Lopez it was even more memorable. Lopez is the first member of his family to graduate from high school.
“My family is very excited and proud of me,” Lopez said. “I’m so thankful that I made it.”
Ron Kisling whose daughter Alison also graduated, was in shock that the day had finally come.
“I’m extremely proud of her,” Kisling said. “I can’t believe I am old enough to have a daughter who is graduating.”
Cheeto Barrera is an intern for the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at 779-4106 or cb******@mo*************.com.
