Oak Park graduation is melancholy




ADAM DAVIS/The Acorn  SAYING GOODBYE TO SENIORS-Oak Park students walk proudly through a chain of ivy held by juniors during the commencement ceremony on Wed. night, June 9 at Oak Park High School.

ADAM DAVIS/The Acorn SAYING GOODBYE TO SENIORS-Oak Park students walk proudly through a chain of ivy held by juniors during the commencement ceremony on Wed. night, June 9 at Oak Park High School.


By Lori Porter
porter@theacorn.com

As the sun set behind the hills of Oak Park, the commencement ceremony began for Oak Park High School’s Class of 2004.


This year’s graduation was somewhat melancholy in that it was the last year for Principal Cliff Moore. He served as the high school’s principal for the last six years and has worked for OPUSD since 1982. Moore was offered and accepted a position as Oak Park Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, so he’ll still be serving Oak Park.


In the tradition of graduation, seniors Danielle Jacoby and Taylor Woods sang the National Anthem with chilling harmonies and skill.


Valedictorians Cary Louis Finkelstein and Barbara Danielle Rubino spoke about what they’ll miss and what they’re looking forward to in the future.


"The skills I’ve acquired here in high school will mean nothing compared to my ability to understand and interact with people in the future," said Rubino. She credited her friends for giving her motivation and confidence and said that it’s personality that stands the test of time. Rubino will attend the University of Southern California this fall as a pre-med student.


Finkelstein was introduced as "the little professor" before he addressed the audience. His only regret, said Finkelstein, was that he and his friends focused too much on little events, such as prom night, football games and homecoming dances.


"We take for granted the entire high school experience. All in all, the past four years can be summed up by the group sitting in front of me." He quoted the rock group Nirvana who once said, "All in all is all we are." Finkelstein plans to attend UC Berkeley in the fall to study English and political science.


Moore presented special recognition to John McManus, a science teacher at OPHS who’s taking a year off to travel to Australia with his family. John Mohler, a foreign exchange student from Sweden, received an honorary diploma from OPHS.


Senior Ambrose Stevens received special recognition for graduating early to pursue a career as an emergency medical technician.


Outstanding female and male graduates Allison Banks and Gregory Nevers received recognition for graduating with 4.0 GPAs or above while pursuing athletics and extracurricular activities. Both students will attend Brigham Young University in the fall.


OPUSD Superintendent Gary Richards spoke to the graduates about transitions and what to expect as they enter the adult world. The Class of 2004, Richards said, can always look back and know they were a part of something great—the "Cliff Moore era." Moore, Richards said, was one of the finest principals he’s ever worked with.


In an annual tradition at OPHS, before graduates received their diplomas, friends and family members viewed a video presentation of each student as a baby or toddler.


It was a touching and entertaining part of the commencement ceremonies at Oak Park High School.

See Senior List on page 28


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