A two-hour workshop Wednesday revealed a City Council and a
Planning Commission determined to build a vibrant, downtown where
people want to visit, shop and live.
On a breezy, clear evening, the class of 2005 officially said goodbye to their second home of the last four years at Live Oak High School as family and friends packed Richert Field to celebrate their important achievement last night.
It took less than 40 minutes to read the names of the school’s more than 500 graduating seniors before Principal Nick Boden officially announced their high school careers had ended and students celebrated with the ceremonial tossing of their mortarboards.
Graduates and parents alike expressed a variety of emotions ranging from happiness to sadness about the day marking the beginning to the rest of their lives.
“I’ve got a little of everything,” said Richard Houssein. “It’s a little sad and at the same time a little exciting.”
The theme of this year’s graduation was “Simply the best,” – which was played once the ceremony was completed – and a concept that first-year principal Boden stressed as he spoke to the graduates in the keynote address.
“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.
