Central High School grad Abbey Bowdish gets a big hug from principal Irene Macias-Morriss after receiving her diploma on Thursday's ceremony.
Photo by: Kelly Hsiao
Morgan Hill - They fell through the cracks but stuck together to reach a milestone that often appeared in doubt - their high school diplomas.
"It's indescribable … my hands were shaking," said 19-year-old Tom Tabares, one of 39 Central Continuation High School seniors who overcame adversity to participate in a graduation ceremony Thursday evening at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Amphitheater.
"I can't say I'm speechless … because I gave a speech," added 17-year-old Arthur Guerrero, honored as Central's senior of the year, two years after falling dangerously behind in his studies. "It feels great."
About 200 people attended the happy event. Family and friends whooped and cheered as students who fell short at traditional campuses crossed the stage in blue caps and gowns, beaming with confidence.
"You know, these young people are unique in many ways," said principal Irene Macias-Morriss in her commencement address. "They believed in themselves, they faced their goals and fought as if their life depended on it. I have watched the transformation of these students as they completed their credits, adjusted their attitudes and began to shine with self-respect."
The transformation wasn't easy. Central offers a second chance for students in the Morgan Hill Unified School District who, for different reasons, flounder at other schools. Some come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Others have social phobias that block their success. They arrive at Central needing keys to unlock unseen potential.
"When I realized I had to choose between going to Central to graduate on time or stay at Sobrato and graduate a year late, the choice was obvious," Guerrero said in his graduation speech. "I didn't like to work ... and I hated being told what to do. Eventually I came to realize I had to do what I was told whether I liked it or not if I wanted to graduate."
With teachers pushing him in a smaller learning environment, Guerrero found his get-up-and-go. He began waking up early, finishing projects and burning the midnight oil to pass all his exams - all while working a job at Safeway. As a result, he became one of 10 Central graduates to receive a scholarship award at the ceremony.
English teacher Ken Piccolo was on an emotional high. The 2007 graduating class is the first group he's worked with from start to finish since arriving at Central a few years ago.
"I saw them come in and now I'm seeing them leave," Piccolo said, energetically glad-handing students and parents. "They pulled together and made it through."
"It's amazing … the struggles they had to go through," said Dawn Murray, whose son Shaun Murray received shouts of approval from friends and loved ones as he accepted his diploma. "The ceremony was great. It's always good when you get your family together for graduations, and we had a lot of family with us."
For the Central Class of 2007, the memory is sure to linger as they continue down their separate paths.
"It took nearly not making it for me to see the light," Tabares said, adding he's considering a career in law enforcement. "Now
