Fifty-three students dressed in blue gowns sat on the stage of
the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Thursday evening
ready to celebrate the most important accomplishment of their young
lives. Though many could argue the odds were stacked against them,
53 students walked across the stage and opened the door to their
futures.
Fifty-three students dressed in blue gowns sat on the stage of the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Thursday evening ready to celebrate the most important accomplishment of their young lives.
Though many could argue the odds were stacked against them, 53 students walked across the stage and opened the door to their futures.
In front of nearly 400 family and friends, the graduating class from Central Continuation High School bid farewell to their school, teachers and friends.
As they were led to the stage of the outdoor auditorium by the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” the audience gave the students a standing ovation. They cheered and they shouted as each of the graduates walked by.
“I have watched the transformation of these students as they completed their education,” said Principal Irene Macias-Morriss. “It is with pride and confidence that I present the class of 2005.”
She was met once again by thunderous applause and cheering.
The first-year principal at Central Continuation school said all the students needed to do to live a successful life was to have the right attitude.
“It is attitude and self respect that changes the world,” Macias-Morriss said. “Attitude is more important than the facts, more important than your past, more important than money and it is more important than what people say or do.”
After Macias-Morriss finished her address, it was the students’ turn to speak about their high school experience and provide advice to each other for the future.
The three graduates who came up to share a few words with their classmates all discussed the challenges and sacrifices they had made to graduate.
“I am so proud to be standing here tonight,” said Daniqua Owen. “It took a lot of hard work.”
Owen also thanked her family for providing the support she needed to finish this stage of her life. Her family extended their appreciation during the speech and made sure she didn’t forget anyone.
Her classmate Ashley Lahr spoke about fulfilling your dreams by working hard to make them come true. She thanked the families for the support they gave the students on their journey toward graduation.
“I would like to give thanks to our parents and family members,” Lahr said. “Without them, we would not be here today.”
Central Continuation School’s senior of the year Trevor Cory noted the changes he saw develop in himself.
When Cory first started high school, he said he was a “thick-headed know it all” who didn’t care about school or understand the importance earning his high school diploma.
“As time went on, I knew I had to change those habits,” Cory said.
Cory’s mother Lyn Cory was beaming with pride for her son after the ceremony. Not only did he graduate, but he also received the school’s top honor and a scholarship as well.
“I am just so proud of him,” Cory said.
Cory also took the time to acknowledge that without Central, many of the students would not have earned their diplomas, or at least, not graduated on time. But thanks to the opportunity they had and the dedication of Central’s teachers and staff, the students finished high school, in some cases, in less than four years.
“I brought my son to school all ready to be a junior,” Marty Jaynes said about her son Bryan Gracia. “And they asked me, am I ready for graduation.”
Jaynes said she was in shock when she learned her son would graduate ahead of schedule, but credited Central’s staff for preparing her son for the real world a year early.
“When he came to Central, his grades just shot up,” Jaynes said. “I see him happier now. His attitude is a lot better.”
With the speeches over, it was time for the main event: the distribution of the diplomas.
Members of the school board were on hand to congratulate the graduates, including out-going superintendent Carolyn McKennan.
But the students were more interested in their principal who was at the end of the line to greet the students, which often included a big hug and a few words of encouragement.
Cameras flashed and the video cameras rolled as each graduate marched in front of the stage to receive the simple piece of paper they each had worked so hard for.
Applause, whistles, cheers and shouts all came roaring from the audience as they celebrated graduates’ achievements.
Soon all 53 had their diplomas. They moved their tassels from the left to right side of their mortarboards and a few gave the hats a traditional toss of celebration. It was official: High school had ended and they were now graduates looking into the future.
Fifty-three graduates dressed in blue gowns marched down from the stage of the Community Center Thursday evening.
Fifty-three graduates dressed in blue gowns are now ready to take on the world.
