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(Top photo) 2013 Renaissance High School graduates. Ashlynn Lopez (bottom left) gave commencement remarks Tuesday evening. (Bottom right photo) Kelsea Gonzales (left) and Gabriel Diaz (right) gave a presentation. (Photos by Brian D. Wilson) |
Renaissance High School graduates 47 students in evening ceremony
June 07, 2013
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
Renaissance High School held its 43rd graduation ceremony Tuesday night, graduating 47 seniors. The event took place in the Santa Paula High School Auditorium.
Maria Alba said graduating was an accomplishment for her. “I feel really happy and hopefully I made my parents proud,” she said. “I feel proud of myself.”
Another graduate, Robert Aguilar, was given a special award for perfect attendance at Renaissance. “Even though I was sick I still tried to make it to school,” he said. He added it was important to him to finish and graduate. He plans on joining the Marines.
Principal Dr. Robin Gillette said that one of the key components of Renaissance High School is recovery, “However there is also an emphasis on academics that contain rigor,” she added. “For this year’s graduating class I felt that it is important to acknowledge that we are not just about credit recovery, but solid academics too.”
Gillette noted some students wore different colored stoles. Platinum signifies growth in the student GPA (grade point average). Students wearing these stoles have increased their GPA by two full grade levels or more. Students wearing a gold stole had attained academic honors by consistently earning a minimum of 25 credits per quarter for the last three quarters. Students with teal stoles passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) with a score of 400 and above. Two students were wearing purple stoles for perfect attendance.
Wearing the platinum stoles were Carolina Tapia and Daniel Gonzales. Those attired in gold stoles included Maria Alba, Melody Alvarez, Hector Arredondo, Viridiana Avalos, Niomee Cantero, Sergio Garcia, Kelsea Gonzalez, Alexus Hernandez, Benito Magana, Edgar Mendez, Leonardo Onorato, Roman Portillo, James Strickel, Carolina Tapia and Jessica Vasquez. Joseph Vasquez wore a teal stole, and another teal stole bearer not in attendance was Tania Vigil. In purple stoles for their perfect attendance were Robert Aguilar and Edgar Mendez.
Student Ashlynn Lopez gave commencement remarks. “I hope that all parents and family members are doing great and are very proud of your child today, because each and every one of my classmates worked very hard to be here,” she said. “Renaissance is a school that gave my classmates and I a second opportunity to receive a diploma. I felt that I could be myself and not be judged. We are all recognized not for being bad, but also for the good. We are not invisible but visible.”
Lopez thanked the entire staff for not giving up on them. “We gained great memories and I know that we will always look back and cherish every moment we spent at Renaissance High School.”
A number of scholarships were handed out from various organizations. Robert Aguilar, Jason Castaneda and Maria Alba each received $500 scholarships from Latino Town Hall, presented by Christina Urias. The Santa Paula Alumni Association awarded the C. William Sciutto Memorial scholarship of $500 to Hector Arredondo. Two students, Edgar Mendez and Daisy Vazquez, were each presented $500 checks from Jerry Burns, representing the Santa Paula Education Foundation.
In addition, Kira Garcia was awarded a total of $475 from the California Association of School Administrators. She had entered an essay contest and won second place at the local (Charter) level and also took second at the regional level.
Dr. Gillette said, “Just as each and every one of our graduates has traveled a path, so does Renaissance High School. We are sitting at the crossroads of who we are and who we will become. This will be the last graduating class of Renaissance High School under the flag of the Santa Paula Union High School District. Renaissance has enjoyed 43 years of support from the district, and the board of trustees and we thank all who have been involved in our journey. We will, as the phoenix proudly rises again as part of the new Santa Paula Unified School District, continue our quest with educational excellence.”
SPUHSD Superintendent Dr. Pamela Martens told the packed auditorium, “On behalf of the Board and Staff I applaud you seniors for all of your accomplishments and for all that you have done while at Renaissance High School. We wish you the utmost success as you move on to the next phase of your life and to the fulfillment of new dreams. Congratulations seniors!”
