LOWER LAKE ? Lower Lake High School”s Class of 2009 may very well be the most prominent class to come out of the school. Not only did the students accumulate a record amount in scholarship awards but they also set a record in the number of graduates who received a diploma.
The 86th annual commencement ceremony, held on Friday in Gordon Sadler Stadium, welcomed 136 graduates across the stage, who together, earned more than $110,000 in scholarship awards. Friday”s ceremony included a surprise scholarship announcement in which Alma Martinez, 2009 Lake County Stars award recipient, learned that she was selected for the Lake County”s College Initiative scholarship. The award basically amounts to a free ride at St. Mary”s College. Hunter Thom learned that he was selected for the Brian Beto and Friends award in the amount of $275 as well.
“Tonight we get to love you and let you go. And you get to graduate,” Counselor Amy Osborn said during her address to the students. “You”ve set so many records and you”ve given so much to Lower Lake High School and the community.”
Osborn continued to describe the class as one with motivation, perseverance, competitiveness and compassion. She commended the students on more than 9600 hours of community service and their varied talents from cooking to saving lives. “You know the reality of back-breaking work and you know that in the end, hard work really does pay off,” Osborn said. “Thank you for teaching us how to make heart-to-heart connections with others and showing us that anything is possible. You each have gifts to give to the world and we need each and every one of you.”
Valedictorian Emmalina Illia recalled fond memories of past in addressing her fellow students. She spoke of academic achievements, athletic triumphs and Homecoming victories. She advised her classmates to harness their power and conquer the world.
“We have never known the words ?you can”t” in our vocabulary. We never took ?no” for an answer,” she said. “Lower Lake High School was never big enough for all of us.”
Illia continued, “The future doesn”t lie ahead of you waiting to happen. It lies inside of you waiting to be discovered.”
Salutatorian Jamie Dawson spoke of the diversity and of the unity that her class shared throughout their journey. She offered lessons she learned along the way. “If you try hard enough you can find common ground with anyone,” she said. “As you can see we have a very diverse class. I”ve learned that differences are nothing to be afraid of.”
Agathe Martel, foreign exchange student from France, thanked her American classmates for the opportunity to experience their culture. She spoke humorously about cultural differences and common ground. “I don”t know why you call it French toast. We call it bread. And French kiss, we don”t call it that either,” she said, prompting laughter from the crowd.
Associated Student Body Activities Commissioner Kevin Boyd also tapped into his sense of humor in his welcoming address. He poked fun at Mr. Leiferman, who he said taught them how to plead the fifth and balance their check books. Mr. Tyner didn”t escape attention even in his absence. Boyd also ribbed fellow students talking something about spelling skills and the ability to read the directions on a can of paint.
The Class of 2009 added a speaker to this year”s program. Brittany Sanders spoke as the Senior Class Friend. She told the students to shine with everything they”ve got and reminded them that time is limited, so don”t waste it.
Vocal selection was delivered by Drama Instructor Traci Lahr, whose son is a member of the graduating class. There was much loved exchanged between Lahr and the students including what sounded like a marriage proposal. The selection she sang for the students advised them not to forget and remember when they look back, that they did it together.
The LLHS graduating Class of 2009 includes: Antonio Aceves, John Adams, Laura Alvarez, Andrew Anguiano, Delia Armenta, Isaac Armijo, Jessica Arnold, Roman Ramiro, Paul Bailey, Coate Baker, Carter Banks, Shelby Barron, Jesse Bazzano, Melissa Beeler, Michael Bell, Zane Benavidez, Thomas Biasotti, Tiffany Blank, Alan Bobbitt, Britni Bobus, Kevin Boyd, Alec Busig, Jennifer Calhoun, Michael Castillo, Christopher Chapman, Jessica Contreras, Brandon Costner, Derek Counts II, Derrick Cox, Amanda Crandell, Joseph Dahlquist, Katherine Dahneke, Rachel Davis, Jamie Dawson, Scott Dean, Alma Delgadillo, Nicole delMas, T”Keyah Denson, Stephanie Dias, Joseph Dingess Jr., David Duke-Clark, Angelina Efestione, Julie Evans, Hali Farcash, Denise Farrias, Aaron Fedewa, Tereese Floyd, Tabytha Fore?, Anthony Gaston, Amber Geil, Michael Gonzales, Johnathan Goodrich Jr., Breana Gould, Matthew Graham, Devin Geer, Angie Guevara, Jonathan Guevara, Richard Gutierrez, Richard Haddan (perfect attendance award recipient);
Courtney Halton, Ashley Harrison, Ana Hernandez, Oscar Hernandez, Ashelee Hernstedt, Krystal Holgate, Kenneth Holladay, Emmalina Illia, Daniel Jackson, Karmen Jacobs, Derek Jenkins, Robert Johns, Tyler Johnson, Ryan Johnston, Domonique Jones, Jamie Jordan, Melissa Leake, Keith Leonardo, Ashlee Lewis, Rubie Littleton, Jennelle Lombari, Meghan Maninger, Agathe Martel, Alma Martinez, Jonathon Martinez, Kyle McCans, Beau McCune, Danielle McKay, Stephanie Mederos, Maria Mendoza, Michael Miller, Sean Milligan, Marilou Montanez Hurtado, David Monthei, Tyler Myrick, Lanie Nolasco, Eduardo Olmedo, Brenda Orozco, Anallely Pantoja, Marcela Pantoja, Jeremy Parks, Amanda Parsons, Alexa Perdock, Christopher Perry, Heather Pike, Travis Powell, Yadira Ramirez, Saysha Ray, Charles Ringle, Brandon Rockwell, Cynthia Russell, Jennifer Ryan, Nafin Saengarun, Christopher Sample, Andre Satterwhite, Eddy Sears Jr., Maria Sepulveda, Mollie Shumaker, Amber Skelton, Michelle Skidmore, Johnathan Smith, Nina Smith, Stacey Snow, Anna Southerland, Penny Speight, Raymond Springer, James Stark, Nicole Strief, Eraclio Rubio, Michael Sweeden, Anthony Tavares, Bailie Teague, Miguel Meza, Hunter Thom, Isaac Turpin, Raemond Twinn, Samantha Underwood, Jesus Valadez, Christopher Wacaser, Ryan Walker, Jarrett Want, Kyle Warren, Darlena White, Ashley Willard and Dylan Wood.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
LOWER LAKE ? Lower Lake High School”s Class of 2009 may very well be the most prominent class to come out of the school. Not only did the students accumulate a record amount in scholarship awards but they also set a record in the number of graduates who received a diploma.
The 86th annual commencement ceremony, held on Friday in Gordon Sadler Stadium, welcomed 136 graduates across the stage, who together, earned more than $110,000 in scholarship awards. Friday”s ceremony included a surprise scholarship announcement in which Alma Martinez, 2009 Lake County Stars award recipient, learned that she was selected for the Lake County”s College Initiative scholarship. The award basically amounts to a free ride at St. Mary”s College. Hunter Thom learned that he was selected for the Brian Beto and Friends award in the amount of $275 as well.
“Tonight we get to love you and let you go. And you get to graduate,” Counselor Amy Osborn said during her address to the students. “You”ve set so many records and you”ve given so much to Lower Lake High School and the community.”
Osborn continued to describe the class as one with motivation, perseverance, competitiveness and compassion. She commended the students on more than 9600 hours of community service and their varied talents from cooking to saving lives. “You know the reality of back-breaking work and you know that in the end, hard work really does pay off,” Osborn said. “Thank you for teaching us how to make heart-to-heart connections with others and showing us that anything is possible. You each have gifts to give to the world and we need each and every one of you.”
Valedictorian Emmalina Illia recalled fond memories of past in addressing her fellow students. She spoke of academic achievements, athletic triumphs and Homecoming victories. She advised her classmates to harness their power and conquer the world.
“We have never known the words ?you can”t” in our vocabulary. We never took ?no” for an answer,” she said. “Lower Lake High School was never big enough for all of us.”
Illia continued, “The future doesn”t lie ahead of you waiting to happen. It lies inside of you waiting to be discovered.”
Salutatorian Jamie Dawson spoke of the diversity and of the unity that her class shared throughout their journey. She offered lessons she learned along the way. “If you try hard enough you can find common ground with anyone,” she said. “As you can see we have a very diverse class. I”ve learned that differences are nothing to be afraid of.”
Agathe Martel, foreign exchange student from France, thanked her American classmates for the opportunity to experience their culture. She spoke humorously about cultural differences and common ground. “I don”t know why you call it French toast. We call it bread. And French kiss, we don”t call it that either,” she said, prompting laughter from the crowd.
Associated Student Body Activities Commissioner Kevin Boyd also tapped into his sense of humor in his welcoming address. He poked fun at Mr. Leiferman, who he said taught them how to plead the fifth and balance their check books. Mr. Tyner didn”t escape attention even in his absence. Boyd also ribbed fellow students talking something about spelling skills and the ability to read the directions on a can of paint.
The Class of 2009 added a speaker to this year”s program. Brittany Sanders spoke as the Senior Class Friend. She told the students to shine with everything they”ve got and reminded them that time is limited, so don”t waste it.
Vocal selection was delivered by Drama Instructor Traci Lahr, whose son is a member of the graduating class. There was much loved exchanged between Lahr and the students including what sounded like a marriage proposal. The selection she sang for the students advised them not to forget and remember when they look back, that they did it together.
The LLHS graduating Class of 2009 includes: Antonio Aceves, John Adams, Laura Alvarez, Andrew Anguiano, Delia Armenta, Isaac Armijo, Jessica Arnold, Roman Ramiro, Paul Bailey, Coate Baker, Carter Banks, Shelby Barron, Jesse Bazzano, Melissa Beeler, Michael Bell, Zane Benavidez, Thomas Biasotti, Tiffany Blank, Alan Bobbitt, Britni Bobus, Kevin Boyd, Alec Busig, Jennifer Calhoun, Michael Castillo, Christopher Chapman, Jessica Contreras, Brandon Costner, Derek Counts II, Derrick Cox, Amanda Crandell, Joseph Dahlquist, Katherine Dahneke, Rachel Davis, Jamie Dawson, Scott Dean, Alma Delgadillo, Nicole delMas, T”Keyah Denson, Stephanie Dias, Joseph Dingess Jr., David Duke-Clark, Angelina Efestione, Julie Evans, Hali Farcash, Denise Farrias, Aaron Fedewa, Tereese Floyd, Tabytha Fore?, Anthony Gaston, Amber Geil, Michael Gonzales, Johnathan Goodrich Jr., Breana Gould, Matthew Graham, Devin Geer, Angie Guevara, Jonathan Guevara, Richard Gutierrez, Richard Haddan (perfect attendance award recipient);
Courtney Halton, Ashley Harrison, Ana Hernandez, Oscar Hernandez, Ashelee Hernstedt, Krystal Holgate, Kenneth Holladay, Emmalina Illia, Daniel Jackson, Karmen Jacobs, Derek Jenkins, Robert Johns, Tyler Johnson, Ryan Johnston, Domonique Jones, Jamie Jordan, Melissa Leake, Keith Leonardo, Ashlee Lewis, Rubie Littleton, Jennelle Lombari, Meghan Maninger, Agathe Martel, Alma Martinez, Jonathon Martinez, Kyle McCans, Beau McCune, Danielle McKay, Stephanie Mederos, Maria Mendoza, Michael Miller, Sean Milligan, Marilou Montanez Hurtado, David Monthei, Tyler Myrick, Lanie Nolasco, Eduardo Olmedo, Brenda Orozco, Anallely Pantoja, Marcela Pantoja, Jeremy Parks, Amanda Parsons, Alexa Perdock, Christopher Perry, Heather Pike, Travis Powell, Yadira Ramirez, Saysha Ray, Charles Ringle, Brandon Rockwell, Cynthia Russell, Jennifer Ryan, Nafin Saengarun, Christopher Sample, Andre Satterwhite, Eddy Sears Jr., Maria Sepulveda, Mollie Shumaker, Amber Skelton, Michelle Skidmore, Johnathan Smith, Nina Smith, Stacey Snow, Anna Southerland, Penny Speight, Raymond Springer, James Stark, Nicole Strief, Eraclio Rubio, Michael Sweeden, Anthony Tavares, Bailie Teague, Miguel Meza, Hunter Thom, Isaac Turpin, Raemond Twinn, Samantha Underwood, Jesus Valadez, Christopher Wacaser, Ryan Walker, Jarrett Want, Kyle Warren, Darlena White, Ashley Willard and Dylan Wood.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
