Students from Gabrielino and Del Mar high schools recounted the struggles
and triumphs they experienced on the path to graduation, earning tears, laughs and cheers
during commencement ceremonies that celebrated nearly 500 graduates on June 6 and 7.
and triumphs they experienced on the path to graduation, earning tears, laughs and cheers
during commencement ceremonies that celebrated nearly 500 graduates on June 6 and 7.
“The Class of 2018 has awed us with their academic excellence, dedication to service and
determination to tackle any challenge life throws their way,” SGUSD Superintendent Dr. John
Pappalardo said. “We wish our graduates the best of luck as they continue their education, begin
vocational training or enter the professional world.”
determination to tackle any challenge life throws their way,” SGUSD Superintendent Dr. John
Pappalardo said. “We wish our graduates the best of luck as they continue their education, begin
vocational training or enter the professional world.”
Gabrielino High School
Gabrielino High School highlighted the academic achievements of 452 seniors during its
commencement ceremony on June 6 at Santa Anita Park.
Gabrielino High School highlighted the academic achievements of 452 seniors during its
commencement ceremony on June 6 at Santa Anita Park.
Valedictorian Bianca Lee – a National AP Scholar and golfer who excelled in speech and debate,
Future Business Leaders of America and Model UN at Gabrielino – will study business
administration at UC Berkeley. Lee was named to Gabrielino’s Athletic All-Academic Team,
received the Girl Scouts Gold Award and President’s Academic Award for her achievements.
Future Business Leaders of America and Model UN at Gabrielino – will study business
administration at UC Berkeley. Lee was named to Gabrielino’s Athletic All-Academic Team,
received the Girl Scouts Gold Award and President’s Academic Award for her achievements.
Leon Tran, a National AP Scholar and National Speech and Debate Association Academic All
American, was named salutatorian. Tran, who created the summer robotics program at the San
Gabriel Public Library and a robotics program at Dewey Elementary, will further explore his
interest in computer science at Stanford University in the fall.
American, was named salutatorian. Tran, who created the summer robotics program at the San
Gabriel Public Library and a robotics program at Dewey Elementary, will further explore his
interest in computer science at Stanford University in the fall.
Student speakers Kaylin Tran and Annabelle Cook reflected on how they changed for the better
during high school, before encouraging classmates to strive to change the world “Right Here,
Right Now” – a callback to Gabrielino High’s 2018 motto.
during high school, before encouraging classmates to strive to change the world “Right Here,
Right Now” – a callback to Gabrielino High’s 2018 motto.
“Use the invaluable lessons that we’ve learned during our time here, and make the most of every
moment,” Kaylin Tran said. “Write your own narrative, whatever that may be … it’s not about
being the best, it’s about being your best.”
moment,” Kaylin Tran said. “Write your own narrative, whatever that may be … it’s not about
being the best, it’s about being your best.”
Gabrielino’s graduates will attend University of California campuses, California State University
campuses and private institutions including Stanford, Pomona College, Syracuse, USC, Carnegie
Mellon, Northwestern, Art Center College of Design and Otis College of Art and Design.
campuses and private institutions including Stanford, Pomona College, Syracuse, USC, Carnegie
Mellon, Northwestern, Art Center College of Design and Otis College of Art and Design.
Del Mar High School
Thirty Del Mar High School students who overcame personal and academic challenges were
honored during a commencement ceremony on June 7 at Gabrielino High School’s Gary E.
Goodson Theatre.
Thirty Del Mar High School students who overcame personal and academic challenges were
honored during a commencement ceremony on June 7 at Gabrielino High School’s Gary E.
Goodson Theatre.
Three graduates stepped up to the podium during the continuation school’s emotionally charged
ceremony and thanked their families, friends and teachers for their support.
Araceli Castro wiped away tears as she thanked her parents for immigrating to the United States
when she was a child to give her a better life and lauded Del Mar students and staff for not
letting her give up on her education.
ceremony and thanked their families, friends and teachers for their support.
Araceli Castro wiped away tears as she thanked her parents for immigrating to the United States
when she was a child to give her a better life and lauded Del Mar students and staff for not
letting her give up on her education.
“It has been a bumpy road for all of us … two years ago, I didn’t see myself here on this stage or
anywhere ready to graduate,” Castro said. “Thank you to all my teachers, counselors, all the Del
Mar staff, thank you. You will always be in my heart. You guys are the reasons I was able to make
it this far.”
anywhere ready to graduate,” Castro said. “Thank you to all my teachers, counselors, all the Del
Mar staff, thank you. You will always be in my heart. You guys are the reasons I was able to make
it this far.”
Del Mar also handed out seven senior awards to celebrate student improvement and
perseverance. Anthony Hernandez, Yvette Herrera and Sage Calderon received the Second
Chance Award, given to students who embodied the spirit of Del Mar’s motto, “Where second
chances happen.”
perseverance. Anthony Hernandez, Yvette Herrera and Sage Calderon received the Second
Chance Award, given to students who embodied the spirit of Del Mar’s motto, “Where second
chances happen.”
Nine graduates were also awarded scholarships from community organizations, including the
Kiwanis Club of San Gabriel, West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors, Sunny Slope Water
District, Schools First Financial and the San Gabriel Special Needs Committee.
Kiwanis Club of San Gabriel, West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors, Sunny Slope Water
District, Schools First Financial and the San Gabriel Special Needs Committee.
All of Del Mar’s 30 graduates – including two juniors who graduated early – have enrolled in
college, begun career technical training or enlisted in the military.
college, begun career technical training or enlisted in the military.