'School of second chances' celebrates
Indian Hills High graduates 28 students
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The Class of 2007 at Indian Hills High School was tiny in numbers, but the 28 students who earned their high school diplomas stood tall and proud at the June 14 commencement ceremony held at the "school of second chances" in Calabasas. Many had to overcome family hardships, learning problems and other hurdles to earn their diploma.

At Indian Hills, an alternative high school for atrisk teens, personalized attention from teachers and administrators helps the students make the transition into college and jobs.

Principal Jeanette Ober congratulated members of the class for their accomplishments. Las Virgenes Unified School District's Superintendent Sandra Smyser acknowledged the many obstacles students had to overcome to meet the graduation requirements.

Smyser reminded the students of their unique abilities and said their path in life doesn't have to be "conventional." She said they each have the power and confidence to make changes in their lives to meet their goals.

Graduates Ian Comi and Brianne Roa gave commencement speeches. Comi, a student at the school for only four months, said Indian Hills had a positive impact on his life. The former Calabasas High student said he was just getting by, but a failing grade changed his life. Personal attention from his teachers at Indian Hills helped Comi meet all the graduation requirements three weeks early.

"Indian Hills made it possible for me to have a future," Comi said.

Roa said the graduation ceremony was "surreal." For so long graduation day seemed like it would never come, she said, but now that she was standing at the podium it had come too soon.

"School was always harder for me since elementary school," Roa said. "I wasn't a normal learner." But her particular learning style was identified and built upon at Indian Hills. She did so well in her coursework, she completed all the requirements a full year early.

"Teachers and staff actually care about me as an individual," Roa said. "Kids here are all street smart and creative. It seemed like we were burnouts, but we just needed a second chance."

Student Ashley Hill sang the Whitney Houston song, "The Greatest Love."

Scholarships and awards were presented to several of the students. Graduates Jessica DiGenova and Michael Barry received $500 scholarships from the Westlake Village Rotary Club. Russ Stone presented the awards.

Ruth Diehl of the Westlake Rotary presented $500 scholarships to Comi and Natasha Berg. Roa and Edwin Franco received $500 Calabasas Chamber of Commerce scholarships.

The Calabasas Custom Catering scholarship of $250 went to Ashley Boyd and Nicole Hall. Barbara Murray and Mark Goldstein presented the awards.

Boyd was also recognized for her work on the school's yearbook. Teacher Lynn Coleman said Boyd singlehandedly created the book and overcame technological obstacles including a major computer crash. Boyd received a plaque honoring her work.

Coleman presented the Las Virgenes Educators Association future teacher scholarship to Brandon Magana, who intends to become a history teacher teacher. Magana also won the creative writing scholarship award. English teacher Jack Maranto read Magana's poem, "Right of Passage," to the audience.

Sean Runyon received the creative arts scholarship. His work will be displayed at the Calabasas Library, Coleman said.

Ober presented the class, and school board member Cindy Iser officially "accepted" the new graduates. She told students graduation was not "the end- it's just the beginning, and it's a great beginning, and you're ready."