Santa Paula High School
celebrates the graduating Class of 2015

June 17, 2015
Santa Paula News

Some 300 seniors received their diplomas at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2015 at Santa Paula High School Thursday.

After welcoming remarks from Principal Elizabeth Garcia, the SPHS band played and the choir sang the National Anthem. The first speaker was ASB President Alondra Navarro.

Navarro said it was a great honor for her to speak to her classmates. She asked them to look to their left and then to their right and to look behind themselves. “Who are these people?” she said. “What do they mean to you? What have they sacrificed for you? When I look around at my surroundings, I see my friends who have kept me grounded and reminded me to have fun and enjoy life. I see my teachers, who have challenged me, listened to me, and most importantly given me advice during my stressful times-which I can assure you, there were plenty…. I also see my dad working his heart out every day without complaining to ensure that I have a better future.”

She also asked her class, “How did you get here? The choices you have made in high school have molded you and you have done it. Your dedication, your determination, and a hint of procrastination has brought you to this destination.”

The last question she asked is this, “Where are you going? What impact are you going to make? What do you want to leave behind? As we finish high school we are ending one chapter and beginning a new one. We are stepping into the “real world” where we will be faced with difficult choices to make.”

Senior Class President Kylie Skoe followed her to the podium. She said that the past four years had been like writing a chapter in a book.  “In this chapter, we all experienced different things whether it was making new friends or building stronger relationships with the ones you already have,” she noted. “Trying hard to pass your AP exams or entering a contest at school. Going to dances and having the best time or not. All of our stories are different; but this chapter is ending the same for all of us, and it’s this. Walking across this stage in cap and gown and getting that diploma we have worked so hard far. But now that this chapter is over, we will all move on to the next one and we will all go our separate ways.”

She added, “The next chapter of our lives will be more different than the last as we go off and begin this journey ahead of us. We’ll experience some of the greatest things this world has to offer and some of the worst, but throughout it all just stay true to yourself and never stop writing your book.”

Skoe said, “I’d like to thank each and every one of you for being a part of that chapter of my life and making it more memorable than I ever imagined it to be. For making these past four years some of the best years of my life, and for being a part of my high school memories that I will cherish forever.”

Following Skoe’s talk Eleanor Stephenson, Sabrina Moreno, Freddie Morales, Noah Magana and Marcos Cervantes performed a song.

Next up was the 2015 Valedictorian Sara Martinez. She told the gathering, “I am very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to stand before this crowd today and address you once more before we, as students, will, for the last time, spread our Cardinal wings before flying our separate ways.” She reflected on some of the things that happened over the past four years, from being freshmen and trying to finish homework to becoming seniors and finally memorizing the exact times of when each period started and ended.

   Martinez said, “I could tell you that the years ahead will be golden and easy, but I cannot predict the future. There will be times of struggle and defeat as well as times of triumph and celebration. That is just the way life is. Whether your goal is to be a mechanic, a fashion designer, an artist, a physical therapist, an actor or an actress, a teacher, an engineer, or even a doctor; always remember where we came from and never take your eyes off of the prize. I’m proud to say, we’ve all been in this together. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal. Congratulations, Class of 2015!”

Assistant Superintendent Robin Freeman, who is leaving the Santa Paula Unified School District after four years, gave the Commencement address. She told how she asked her two college-graduate children what life lesson she had given them that they thought was worth sharing. “My son and my daughter both sent the same one. When people show you who they are, believe them, the first time.” 

Freeman added, “As you travel through this new world of college and career, you will meet people who will commit to help you and not follow through, who will borrow something and not return it on time, like the book you need for an upcoming test, or borrow money and not pay it back. You will allow some people to disappoint you more than once because you think “he’s my friend,” or she’s my roommate. We generally accept apologies, try to forgive and forget, but there are those people in this world who will disappoint you over and over. Don’t let them.” She said that when people show you who they are; believe them, the first time. But if you have given them a second chance, believe them the second time.

Following the speeches diplomas were handed out and the graduates gathered outside the McMahon Gym to greet family and friends.





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