by Stephanie Bertholdobertholdo@theacorn.com
The graduation ceremony at Indian Hills High School last week
was a celebration of more than just
academic achievement for the 40
students.
For the Class of 2005, these “at
risk” teens overcame roadblocks
and earned diplomas that represented not only an educational feat,
but a personal triumph.
As ceremonies began, the students entered the grassy backyard
of the school in their red caps and
gowns. Principal Stan Lyons congratulated the students for staying
the course of high school. “A continuation high school like this is the
beginning for very successful folks
like these,” he said.
Dr. Stephen Trudeau, a school
district psychologist, told the seniors, “I stand before you as a graduate from alternative education myself.” He said that like the graduating students, he was not a traditional
learner. The staff at San Fernando
Valley High School had “planted
seeds in my life and heart” which
led him to enter college at age 26.
“Sooner or later you are going
to do something wonderful,”
Trudeau said. “You proved it by
fighting for your education. You are
not human beings, you are human
becomings.”
Three students presented commencement addresses. Amy Cohen
said that Indian Hills has been “an
amazing” school. “I finally hear
myself,” Cohen said.
Yaron “Saf” Weisberg discussed
his journey through high school. He
came to Indian Hills during his senior year, he said, and felt like an
outcast. “Within one week, my head
was (held) high,” he said.
“I want to be a teacher at Indian
Hills High School, just like you
guys,” said Weisberg, who added
that he will use the same methods
when he achieves his goal of becoming a history teacher.
Several scholarships were
awarded from The Westlake Village
Rotary Club, National Charity
League (Conejo Valley Chapter),
the Westlake Women’s Club, the
Calabasas Chamber of Commerce,
and Indian Hills High School.
Two new scholarships were presented this year. The $1,500 Las
Virgenes Educators Association
Future Teacher Scholarship was
awarded by art teacher Lynn
Coleman. The Dr. Stephen
Trudeau Scholarship was presented to two students for creativity in art and writing.
In all, awards of over $3,000
were presented to students.
Scholarship recipients included Paul Adams, Amy Cohen,
Ryan Killough, Katherine Liang,
Adam Marquez, Sean Norvet,
Chris Sampera, Kevin Schneider,
Jessica Shapiro, William Syms,
Tara Touzie, and Saf Weinberg.
Several school district officials attended the event, including Donald Zimring, Las Virgenes
Unified School District interim
superintendent, Jim Nielsen, district director of secondary education, and Terilyn Finders, school
board member.
“There are moments in life
that divide time, marking forever
before and after—moments years
in the making,” said Finders, who
accepted the class.
She said graduation was one
of those “milestone moments
earned over 13 years.”
After the ceremony, the graduates moved the tassels on their
caps from right to left and threw
their caps deep into the evening
sky.
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