40 students overcome challenges and graduate
Morgan Hill – After falling behind in the traditional high school setting and finding a learning connection at Central Continuation High School, 40 students received something they were never sure the would obtain: their diplomas.
The central graduates are special, not just to teachers and administrators, but also to parents who acknowledge that many overcame family problems, poor academic backgrounds and learning difficulties to graduate.
And Thursday, as the students crossed the stage at the Community and Cultural Center amphitheater, adorned in blue caps and gowns, hundreds of family members and friends cheered.
“I witnessed these students at Central experience a change,” said Irene Macias-Morriss, principal at Central High School, as she addressed the crowd. “These students beat the odds to achieve this moment.”
Macias-Morriss said it took a leap of faith on the part of the educators and the students to be receiving their diplomas that evening.
“I believe this excellence is the result of care more than others think you should,” Macias-Morriss said, “taking a risk when others say it is not safe (and) dreaming a dream that others say is not practical.”
Macias-Morriss said the word courage summed up the year at Central High School.
“After 30 years in education, I can say without a doubt that what I witnessed this year from the faculty and the staff and the students is courage,” Macias-Morriss said.
For the students who graduated, their focus Thursday evening was to show gratitude to the faculty and staff members who made it possible for them to get an education. The four students who spoke during the ceremony paid tribute to the teachers who taught them what they needed to finish high school.
“I want to give honor and praise to two groups of individuals,” said Dominic Ingram. “That first group is the staff at Central.”
Matt Jimenez shared a similar sentiment after the ceremony.
“These teachers cared more about the students than the money,” said Jimenez, who plans to attend Gavilan Community College to receive his real estate license.
Alley Rosen, who was awarded the senior of the year title, said that being at Central High School gave students who struggled a fair chance at graduation.
“When I came here, I found these kids were just like me: misunderstood,” Rosen said. “We were put in a place to get our diplomas without the hassle of traditional high school drama.”
Ingram noted that by graduating from Central High School, each student now has hope for the future, but delivered a warning about the attitude the students need to have.
“College is the major leagues of education,” Ingram said. “We won’t have this great staff to push us to do our homework. The professors won’t care if we are tardy. … My hope for all of us is that we can progress in life and become more mature.”
With the speeches over, it was time for the main event: The presentation of the diplomas.
Just as the students found their way to beat the odds and graduate, they found their way to go out in style.
Some just walked across the stage, shaking the hands of the Morgan Hill Unified School District board members. Others extended their arms in the air in celebration. One girl expressed her joy by dancing her way on and off the stage.
But no matter how they got on the stage, or how they left it, there was one stop that all the graduates made: Into the outstretched arms of the principal they would be leaving behind.
Parents, friends and family cheered and applauded, many with cameras snapping photos or recording the moment for posterity.
“This is something that all us parents look forward to,” said Christine Sanchez, whose daughter Kayla Cates graduated Thursday. “I am really proud of her. It was a struggle, but she was determined.”
Graduate Jessie Robles said the impact of graduating hadn’t hit him until the night before.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Robles said. “I kept waking up ever hour.”
After the students received their diplomas, and Macias-Morriss had declared them graduates, they joined their families.
There were hugs, hand shakes, pats on the back, laughs, tears of joy and plenty of pictures taken.
The graduates were living the moment they had never thought would arrive.
And for some, the experience could not be described in many words.
“I feel really excited,” said Harvey Delgado, who plans to attend trade school to become an electrician.
Soon the crowds dwindled, each going their way – a prelude to what their lives are about to become as the graduates prepare themselves for the college and professional worlds.
Cheeto Barrera is an interm at the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at 779-4106 or e-mail cb******@*************es.com.
