Oak View, small and intimate




IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GOOD MEMORIES- Oak  View  High  School  instructor  Susan Allen  gets  a  laugh  out  of  senior  Shmuel  Seegal  during  the graduation ceremony in Oak Park last Friday evening.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GOOD MEMORIES- Oak View High School instructor Susan Allen gets a laugh out of senior Shmuel Seegal during the graduation ceremony in Oak Park last Friday evening.


During a season filled with graduations, Oak View High School’s commencement stands out for its small, intimate size and the emotion that comes with seeing at-risk students succeed after overcoming a variety of challenges.

On June 13, the Oak Park continuation high school graduated 21 seniors in the Oak Park High School Pavilion.

“It’s been a long, hard journey,” Valedictorian Erin Viselman said. “Today is the day all of our hard work finally paid off.”

Calling Oak View a “second home,” Viselman credited the school’s teachers and staff with keeping students on track.

“You have given us more than an education. You taught us to never give up, to shape our own code of honor and to live by those morals and values,” Viselman said.

Teacher Susan Allen, who gave the commencement address, talked about the conflicting emotions felt by parents and teachers as they watched the seniors graduate and begin their independent lives.

“I expect you to fly higher, work harder and see more clearly than you thought you could,” Allen said.

Jessica HorburyJones received the Millie Andress Memorial Scholarship, given in memory of Oak View’s former principal and teacher who passed away shortly after retiring in 2006.

Brooke Gerber was awarded a scholarship in memory of Sam Manocchia, a former Oak View student who passed away several years ago.

“This award is not only to honor our son Sam’s, memory, but to honor the teachers and staff at Oak View High School for their hard work and faith in him and other students like him,” said Joyce Manocchia, Sam’s mother.

For her “focus and dedication,” Hannah Hoffman earned a scholarship from the Conejo Valley Association of Realtors; and Shmuel Seegel earned the Christine Brown Excellence Award.

Brown, a former Oak View teacher, who will be inducted into the California Education Hall of Fame in October, made the presentation to Seegel, who is returning to his birthplace, Israel.

“He is driven to make the world a better place. I know he will be an ambassador for peace and everyone at Oak View will be proud to have known him,” Brown said.

Glen Berry and Erin Viselman won Oak Park Teachers’ Association scholarships. Celeste Gonzalez, Brett Rosa, Harrison Gunnarshaug and Crista Fry were named recipients of the Associated Student Body scholarships. Salutatorian Amanda Lertzman and valedictorian Viselman were recognized for academic achievement.

Principal Lou Tabone commended students for their community service, thanked the district administration for providing an alternative education option, and urged students to appreciate those who supported them.

“This day belongs in part to your parents and families,” Tabone said.

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