By Charlie Warner, Special to the Independent
Photos by Mitch Ridder.
After four years in high school, the senior class of 2017 embarked this week on a new journey.
Before departing, though, seniors arrived by buses in droves to a familiar but newly remodeled space, the grounds of the Festival of Arts, to accept their diplomas last Thursday, June 22.
As the seniors entered the Irvine Bowl to “Pomp and Circumstance,” they were greeted with cheers from teary-eyed parents and flown-in relatives.
Once seated, school Principal Chris Herzfeld introduced dignitaries, including current school board members Jan Vickers, Dee Perry, Ketta Brown, Peggy Wolff and Carol Normandin; former school board member Bill Landsiedel; top administrators Jason Viloria and Alysia Odipo; and guest faculty speaker Jonathan Todd. Student speakers grabbed the spotlight first.
Senior speaker Madison Sinclair addressed his classmates and compared the hardship of working on a farm to the challenges of high school. “Working together is a defining quality of our class,” said Madison. “In regards to the future, I know you’ll saddle up.” Madison will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall.
Valedictorian Autumn Geil stressed the importance of retaining a positive outlook on life, even in times of trouble. “Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain,” said Autumn, quoting the 37th president, Richard Nixon. “And that man knew a thing or two about valleys,” laughed Autumn. Autumn will be attending MIT in the fall.
Todd, a popular teacher, came next. He described personal stories of helping students, and stressed the importance of reaching out to others in need. “When you try to care, when you reach out for someone, they will reciprocate.”
Todd later described how impressed he was with the class of 2017. “With such a divisive and polarizing election, I was blown away with the maturity this class showed. You are what the world needs right now.”
Finally, Herzfeld addressed the class with brief remarks, which omitted mention of his own previously announced impending departure as principal. “ I don’t need to inspire you to greatness. You have it inside you already. I’m proud to have played a small part in your lives.”
In a twist ending, Herzfeld called up senior Pep Commissioner Dylan Wolf, who led the class in a chorus of “I believe that we will win.”
Then, in a 239-student procession, each senior walked across the stage to receive their prize. Baby photos were projected behind the stage as happy teenagers accepted their diploma and walked offstage, away from high school and towards the future.
The Graduates
Emily Ann Addis
Emma Alyssa Allan
Alexes Marie Amaradio
Brynn Marie Anderson
Dustin Kaai Angus
Annabella Marie Baldridge
Brooke Victoria Baldwin
Claire Isabella Barnett
Grace Christine Barton
Angelique Nicole Begay
Camden Rayn Benson
Samantha Ruth Berk
Latifa Tarek Berri
Claire Elizabeth Black
Ryan Thomas Blaser
William Frederick Bonn
Connor David Brashier
Arianna Lizette Brenes
Kendyl Sterling Brennan
Colton Wesley Bryant
Michaela Ann Bryant
Brooke Ellis Bunn
Jordan Elizabeth Burton
Ryan Alan Cansdale
Regan Maeve Caraher
Taylor Ann Carroll
Roman Cerdas
Jaden Rae Christiansen
Summer Lou Clawson
Maya June Clemons
Grace Elizabeth Coleman
Danielle Nicole Conklin
Lillian McBride Cook
Clarence Cooper
Connor Lewis Coscino
Katya Camilla Cox-Kruger
Crystal Marie Curras
Jake Flynn Dameshek
Christiana Irene Darby
Nicole Kathryn Davidson
Nicolai DeMilly-Otteson
Rohan Jeet Dhiman
Isabella Ines Diaz-Anderson
Jack Paul Dickerson
Fiona Eastwood Didato
Anthony Adam DiGenova
Gina Maria Donner
Anneliese Hope Douglass
Liam Daniel Duncan
Wesley Eagleton
Dante Giovanni Faicchio
Tiana Rose Farhang
Carmen Maya Fernandez
Allegra Dawn Fetyko
Aria Brynn Fischer
Sabrina Kirsten Flagstad
Justin Chandler Flemming Powell
Chloe Kay Flora
Lucile Rose Fontenot
Jesse Schuyler French
Alec Chandler Fritschmann
Dillon Paul Gaboury
Isaiah Clawson Galland
Joe Marcus Gallegos
Timothee Louis Galmiche
Isabel Garcia Helin
Sophia Nicole Garrett
Katie Alison Gavin
Ethan Connor Gee
Autumn Rose Louise Geil
Kamryn Corinne George
Lucien Nikos Georges
Justin Tyler Ghetian
Elliet Christine Glade
Ashton Bond Goddard
Dayaa Aapaar Gogna
Vivian Rose Gould
Ruby Frances Green
Barry Walter Greenough
Thomas Joseph Gregory
Hansje MaKenna Grierson
Brooke Noelle Guenther
Evan George Haglund
Colette Marie Hammett
Sidney Caroline Harris
Katherine Anne Hayden
Matthew Jordan Hayes
Callista Ann Helms
Daniel Lee Herger
Citlalli Hernandez
Zane Matthew Herr
Hayley Makena Hidalgo
Alexandria Catherine Hinmon
Carly Ann Hodes
Matthew Jacob Hodes
Courtney Brianna Holcomb
Aidan Richard Hope
Margaret Rhae Humphries
Nathan Reed Hunt
Raymond Martinez Hunter
Cyrus Imbernino
Tyler Robert Jackson
Greer Robin Jacobs
Christine Alexandra Johnson
Eva Marie Rose Johnson
Kayla Ann Johnson
Cameron Mitchell Jones
Kara Dale Jones
Ana Osa Kelly
Rachel Marie Kenney
Joseph Abraham Kerfoot
Paige Marie Kesler
Noah Kilburg
Damir Kim
Kathleen Cheryl Kimball
Sidney Kimball
Miles William Knapp
Bruce Wesley Knill
Joshua Hendrik Kramer
William Griffin Kramer
Tristan Anthony Krogius
Lauren A’Marie LaMontagne
Leonardo Nathanel Lahijani
Walmer Yonarkee Landaverde
Kirsten Elaine Landsiedel
Joseph Cyril Laptin
Milana Eve LaRosa
Marissa Rose Lee
Kayla Briann LePage
Jordan Jacob Leppo
Daniel Michael Levinstein
Vanessa Juliette Lortal
Robert Raymond Luecke
Dallin Davis Luedtke
Dante Orion Madrigal
Nadeem J. Maida
Olivia Teresa Malbran
Jake Austin Mangus
Brandon Kurt Marquez
Christian Elias Marron
Ryan Thomas Marx
Maxwell Wesley Mason
Victoria Lauren Mastrocola
Kaden Grace Matheson
Lauren Taylor McDonnell
Kandis McGee
Lily Carolyne McKinney
Luc John Meier
Ryan Blake Meisberger
Elijah James Meisse
Alan Baalan Mejia Durán
Torrey Patrick Sjoerd Menne
Hunter Chase Mills
Finn Thomas Moriarty
Rosaria Marie Morreale
Mackenna Lynn Morrice
Isabella Victoria Musiol
Gary David Nabor Rogel
Brittany Mei Ling Nguyen
Alana Terese Niccum
Laura Eileen Nolan
Noah Shannan North
Josephine Mary Anne Nunnally
Robert Peterson Obradovich
Kathryn Ellen Oines
Jake Henry Onodera
Isabella Pia Orr
Ava Grace Pacheco
Paige Kristina Pattillo
Lania Senae Paul
Cole Sumner Paxson
Alexandra Periu
Karly Marie Peterson
Madison Elizabeth Pigott
Gordon Alexander Pike
Anika Michele Pitz
Olivia Polins-Jones
Justin Alexander Polis
Grant Rodney Potratz
Isabella Paige Pringle
Andrew Franklin Ranabargar
William Jacob Renner
Jonah Christian Reynolds
John Dexter Russo
Ali Samanifard
Reno Louise Sammons
Rilee Layne Santa Maria
Noah Ivor Schucking
Emma Rae Scott
Quinlan James Johnson Seely
Madeline Julia Seitz
Omid Shalchi
Juliet Grace Shelly
Wyatt Jay Shipp
Bailey Anne Shoemaker
Liam Garrett Shouna
Shannon Lynne Siegrist
Madison Marie Sinclair
Michael Gabriel Sivetts IV
Dylan McLean Smith
Jack Saladino Smith
Hunter Rex Sokolovic
Sarina Isabelle Solis
Dylan Michael Soloff
Claire Emma Sonne
Thomas Neal Spence
Lydia Anne Steinhoff
Lance Charles Stewart
Chloe Caroline Stuart
Gianelle Sulahian
Ayrton Cort Svenson
Yasmeen Nasser Tarazi
Bayley Jensen Thomas
Russell Tate Thomas
Karina Isabella Torbensen
Lucas David Toro
Audrey Kim Trabert
Jack Thomas Tyrrell
Uta Celeste Urushido
Hunter Hahn Vandertoll
Olivia Isabela Vera
Judge John Washer
Robert Zachary Washer
Charlotte Alice Helene Watkins
Grace Earlene Wellsfry
Ryan Scott Whitlock
Katie Lynn Williams
Jack Hayden Wills
Alexandra Elaine Wilson
Luke Conrad Winter
Dylan Rumi Wolf
Kenzie Wolff
Maxwell Scott Woodburn
Callista Marie Wulff
Kristin Marie Wynn
Liam Paul Yates
Jordan Adel Youssef
Ryan Lea Zipstein
