Calabasas grads: agents of change
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

PURE JOY- Alexandra Berger, a member of Calabasas High School's Class of 2007, smiles as her friends and family shout during the commencement ceremony Friday. Misplaced diploma covers momentarily threatened to spoil the special day but staff members quickly located them and the ceremony proceeded without a hitch. HARPER SMITH Acorn Newspapers

For all graduates, there's a moment of suspense in the seconds before the names are called and diplomas are distributed. For Calabasas High seniors, that climactic moment stretched a little longer.

After the speakers had concluded, Principal David Jackson presented the Class of 2007, accepted by Las Virgenes Unified school board member Cindy Iser. About three minutes passed without word from the group of faculty and senior class advisers set to deliver the names.

Finally, Jackson appeared and broke the bad news: The diploma covers were missing.

"They are supposed to be under this table. If this is a senior prank," Jackson warned with a laugh. "Well, you finally got me." But it was no prank, just some misplaced diploma covers. After another couple minutes, the boxes were located in a room off the track. Volunteers, faculty and security members hustled across the field to the stage in a long line, boxes hoisted to their chests.

Cries of joy and applause rang out from the bleachers, and especially from the students. The show would go on.

Devin Banerjee, one of Calabasas' 13 valedictorians, addressed everyone in the crowd, including his "SAT tutors, jealous siblings and people who wandered in accidentally because they wanted to run the track tonight."

David acknowledged the world's problems, including corruption, war and global warming.

"We must be agents of change," David said, who went on to quote Mahatma Ghandi. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world. . . . There's no speech or witty anecdote that can sum up this moment. The world is waiting."

Priscilla Frank and Hallie Kutak, best friends, gave their valedictorian speech together, offering words of wisdom to their peers.

"Let everybody be your teacher," Priscilla said. "Never stop raising your hand to ask why, or better yet, why not."

"Never be afraid to walk against the crowd," Hallie added. "To live a life of meaning, you must maintain a balance of innocence and maturity."

In addition to the 13 valedictorians, Calabasas High boasted five salutatorians. There were also 47 California Scholastic Federation gold seal members.

After accepting the class, board member Iser gave some advice to the graduates.

"Your diplomas are an additional measure of independence," Iser said. "You've seen acts of terror . . . but you've also seen remarkable human resilience. It's your world now. Be good, be honest."

Senior speaker Brittany Berman also ended her address with encouragement.

"You have the power to change the world," Berman said.