Morgan Hill - Tassels were turned, tears were shed and caps were tossed as the Class of 2007 celebrated an end and a beginning last week.
More than 700 graduates received certificates of promotion and diplomas as Live Oak High School, Central Continuation High School, Britton Middle School and Martin Murphy Middle School held commencement and promotion ceremonies.
Families and friends of former eighth-graders at Britton and Martin Murphy gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate an important step in their lives as they were promoted from middle school, anticipating becoming high school freshmen in the fall. Later that evening, Central students and their well-wishers filled the amphitheater at the Community and Cultural Center, emotion and enthusiasm filling the grounds as the graduates claimed their hard-earned diplomas.
Green gowns whipped in the breeze as the 283 Live Oak graduates filed into the stands at Richert Field, Live Oak's football stadium, Friday evening for the commencement ceremony that would kick off the next stage of their lives. Many of their gowns were adorned by gold or silver cords, honoring academic achievement and service to the community, and many of the graduates wore leis, some flowery, some candy-filled, given by friends and family.
Live Oak Principal Nick Boden praised the hard work and dedication of the students, expressing his pride in their achievements.
He told them now it is their "time to dream and believe."
The crowd appreciated of the speeches from class leaders, including senior class president Sabrina LaCorte, who presented the senior gift - the refurbishing of the announcer's box and ticket booth at Richert Field.
Sabrina said volunteers will gather the materials and do the work, "giving our time and effort to give back to the place where we have grown and matured."
Valedictorian Andrew Wisnewski ended his speech on an upbeat note, with a cleverly-worded "graduation rap."
Wisnewski, who maintained a 4.46 GPA and plans to attend John Hopkins University in the fall, talked about what the Live Oak experience has given him and his fellow grads.
"(Live Oak) has not merely been a place of education but also a place to mature and become young adults," he said.
Now, he added, the Class of 2007 is ready to take advantage of all the world has to offer.
"Let us make the right choices in life and let history be the judge of our deeds," he said.
Graduates batted around beach balls, many of the balls whipped over the fence behind them by the wind, as trustees presented diplomas.
Live Oak Vice Principal Lloyd Webb had the honor of presenting his daughter, Rebecca, with her diploma, along with a big hug.
As the green-garbed Acorn alumna paraded past the crowd overflowing the football field, many were greeted by ecstatic family members and friends, blowing air horns, shouting good wishes, some bringing flowers or leis. As the last graduates filed back into their seats, Boden gave them a moment to settle in, then gave them his final instruction as their principal.
"As a symbol of this 'little moment' in your lives, please move your tassels from the right to the left," he said, with a touch of humor.
Green mortarboards filled the air, the wind giving them lift, to deafening cheers and applause. When the graduates poured out of the stands onto the field, the scene was controlled, chaotic joy as moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, boyfriends and girlfriends enveloped them with hugs, kisses, more flowers and leis.
"I am so proud of all he's done," said Live Oak `graduate Kevin Parson's mom. "I just know that he'll take every advantage of the education and experience he's gained."
Kevin, 18, plans to attend Cal-Poly and study mechanical engineering.
Acorn grad Augie Atilano, 18, expressed what many of the Live Oak Class of 2007 were perhaps feeling Friday evening.
"I'm going to get a job, I'm looking toward the future, but right now, I'm going to have fun."
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covered education and law enforcement for The Times.
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