'Second chance' high school helps students earn diploma

STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO/Acorn Newspapers INDIVIDUALITY-Christian Corio wears a large hoop earring as he prepares to graduate from Indian Hills High School. The seniors were told that their differences are what make them special. The 50 Indian Hills High School graduates had plenty of reasons to celebrate at last week's commencement ceremony.

Although Indian Hills is a continuation school and serves "at risk" teens, it is also known as the school of second chances by many students. But the Class of 2006 appeared as bright and hopeful about their futures as students from "typical" traditional schools.

In fact, typical is probably not even a label that these grads would appreciate. They are funky, they are brash, and yes, they are smart. What distinguishes them is that they have either faced unique challenges or are simply nontraditional learners.

Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent Sandra Smyser kicked off the ceremony, commenting on her hopes that the graduation would be memorable.

"Nobody succeeds on their own," Smyser said--everyone must overcome challenges and hurdles.

Commencement speakers captured the emotion and pride of the Indian Hills graduates. Marie Hamm struck a common chord with her classmates when she rebutted what she believes is an unjust stigma marking Indian Hills.

She said that although she was affected by "constant criticism" from students who attend other schools, the teachers and staff at Indian Hills greeted her with "open arms," and their compassion helped her grow.

The school was such a perfect match to Hamm's style of learning that she graduated early, shaving off a full year of high school. To honor her triumph, Hamm was presented with a Calabasas Chamber of Commerce scholarship.

Speaker Terin Rose also spoke of how Indian Hills was known as the "bad kids' school," but in reality it was a school offering second chances.

Rose told guests she had fallen so far behind that she once thought she'd be in high school until she was 27. But by the end of 10th grade at Indian Hills she had made many new friends and had raised her grades.

Rose credited her teachers, the staff and counselor Randi Klein with helping her to succeed.

"Randi Klein took such an interest in my progress," Rose said.

"This is not only a school, but my second family," she said.

Several scholarships were awarded at the ceremony and the majority of the graduates spoke of plans for college. Jessica Webber, Alyssa Walker and Kristina Prugh earned scholarships from the Westlake Village Rotary Club.

The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce awarded two scholarships-one to Hamm, the other to Daniel Conviser. The $1,500 Las Virgenes Education Association's Future Teacher Scholarship was presented to Samantha Irick.

Indian Hills High School $250 scholarships were awarded to Steven Mackensen and Kylee Russello.

Dr. Stephen Trudeau Scholarships were presented to Tonatiua Ciofalo and Tiffany Elkin for artistic talent and creativity.

Several school district officials attended the event, including Smyser, Deputy Superintendent Donald Zimring, Director of Secondary Education Jim Nielsen and school board members Gordon Whitehead and Dave Moorman.

"This is not an ending, this is 'what are you going to do now?'" Indian Hills High School Principal Stan Lyons said to students after they had received their diplomas. Many