State superintendent of schools offers wise words to CHS grads

by Michael Picarellapic@theacorn.com

SENIOR SEND-OFF—State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell addresses the senior class during commencement cermonies last Friday at Calabasas High School. Calabasas High School graduates marched into a full house at the campus football stadium last Friday to receive their diplomas. Despite extra bleachers that were brought in, guests struggled to find enough seating.

Guest speaker Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of schools, quoted some of what he called the best commencement speeches in history.

According to the actor and filmmaker Woody Allen, “We have given you a perfect world. Please don’t screw it up,” O’Connell said.

Next he quoted Albert Einstein. “I do not have any particular thoughts to express today, so I wish you all success in the future.”

And O’Connell said Winston Churchill told a group of graduates, “Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.”

O’Connell shared some wisdom with Calabasas graduates. “A high school diploma is really a key to success,” he said. “It’s not a guarantee to success, but it will open many, many doors for you that will enable you to achieve even greater heights than you had ever anticipated.”

Senior speakers Annie Lascoe, Melissa Schuit, senior class president Michelle Burton, and valedictorian Natalie Vernia spoke about the challenge and the accomplishment of succeeding in high school, and the excitement of the future.

“`Imagine what you’d attempt to do if you were not afraid of failing,’” said CHS Principal J. Guidetti in his address to the students. “These words from an unknown author should resonate with the class of 2005. You must always imagine the limitless possibilities. And although your journey will not be without heartache, you must never succumb to the ties of fear that bind us.

“Tonight and beyond, you must not fall victim to your own inhibitions,” Guidetti added. “Think back through the ages to that which separates the greatest moments in history from those most tragic. It’s the action of the people in sharp contrast to the inaction of others.”

Guidetti quoted the Italian painter Michelangelo: “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and that we miss it, but rather that it is too low and we hit it.”

Class valedictorians are Veronica Anderson, Jessica Azani, Liyue Deng, Justin Goldberg, Haley Hunter-Zinck, Shayda Javadizadeh, Brittany Lin, Jason Lueddeke, Jacqueline Lou and Natalie Vernia.

Salutatorians are Eric Agar, Michelle Burton, Rebecca Delshad, Thomas King, Jonathan Lake, Annie Lascoe, Ava Mobini, Brittany Stephens, Matthew Ross, Karen Tsui, Adam Wagmeister and Lucas Whitehead.