Although no one is sure when, if ever, the valedictorian and
salutatorian at Central High School have shared the same first name
– though spelled differently – it is crystal clear the staff,
principal and other students are proud of them both.
Although no one is sure when, if ever, the valedictorian and salutatorian at Central High School have shared the same first name – though spelled differently – it is crystal clear the staff, principal and other students are proud of them both.
“Both of these girls have worked very hard and have put in extra effort while they were here,” Principal Maxine Bartschi said about Crystal Mellen, this year’s valedictorian, and Christal Neufeld, salutatorian, of a class of more than 50 students, which is a record for the school. “They showed their determination to reach their goals, and we are proud of them.”
Neufeld and Mellen graduated with their classmates Thursday in a ceremony held at the Community Center. Seniors enjoyed a barbecue earlier in the week.
Both students are planning to continue their education. Neufeld has set another goal for herself, she said: to become a youth probation officer. She is already attending Gavilan College studying criminal justice.
“If I can help one child, then I will consider my job completed,” she said. “I want to help, to give back something to the community. I think this is a career that I could be proud of, to feel I am contributing.”
Mellen, who is already working a full-time job, plans to attend college and study general education because she hasn’t made a firm choice of major at this time. But she, too, sees her future career as an opportunity to make a difference in young lives.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “There are a lot of possibilities out there. But whatever I do, I want to be a role model for someone, to show others they can set a goal and they can reach it.”
The way the curriculum at Central High is structured – in six-week blocks – contributes to the success of its students, Mellen and Neufeld agreed. The number of students graduating the school, which is a continuation school for students who need a different structure than is offered at Live Oak High, has increased dramatically over the last two years.
But, Mellen and Neufeld said, what makes the school special, as well as successful, is the family feeling of the school.
“We really are a family here,” Neufeld said. “Every single person, every single teacher, we all care about each other. You can feel the love. The teachers want you to excel. They are concerned about you.”
Both the students said their families, as well as their school family, have played a large role in their success.
“My family has always stood behind me, even when I made some mistakes,” Mellen said. “Having that support makes getting through challenges easier … Someone said to me that we should be proud to be Central High graduates, because we have struggled to get where we are. They said Central High graduates really have the willpower to succeed.”
Neufeld said one of the things she has gained from her experiences and support from her family is self-confidence.
“I would tell other kids, ‘Don’t ever give up on yourself, and know that whoever you are, you are beautiful because what matters is what is inside,’” she said.
Mellen, who was recently in a serious car accident and is recovering from a broken shoulder, also had some advice to offer current and future high school students.
“Take every day for what it is,” she said. “Keep things in perspective. Remember it is important not to forget who you are and not lose yourself to fit in with others, because that is easy to do. And, it is very important not to push away those who want to help you. It can be hard for some kids to accept help, but it can make a difference in their lives.”
