Nervous, excited, sad, anxious, surreal — all emotions graduates experience as they transition from cushy high school life into the cold realities of a heartless world.
About 830 young adults made that leap in their purple caps and gowns on June 7 during Diamond Bar High School's commencement ceremony in the school stadium.
"It went by too fast," said Julianne Coronado, valedictorian. "It's surreal, and it's hard to believe I'm already graduating."
The 17-year-old was chosen to speak at the ceremony out of 12 valedictorians and, during her speech, told her fellow Brahmas that it's not about what they did in high school, but the people they met and grew up with that made it such a great experience.
Cornonado is moving on to USC as a biology major, and hopes to one day work in the medical field.
Principal Denis Paul is completely confident in this class's capabilities and future.
"Every class has a distinct personality," he said. "This class I gave the acronym 'C' to the third power because they're compassionate, courageous and competitive."
Class president Grace Hsieh embodies these attributes.
Her goal was to make a difference in her classmates' lives. Even if it was one person she touched, she was happy.
"Recently we had someone take his life and another die after he was hit by a car," she said. "I just want my classmates to treasure the time they have on this Earth."
The 18-year-old has grown a lot from her high school experience as class president. But all the long hours she spent setting up for events and planning grad.
Nervous, excited, sad, anxious, surreal — all emotions graduates experience as they transition from cushy high school life into the cold realities of a heartless world.
About 830 young adults made that leap in their purple caps and gowns on June 7 during Diamond Bar High School's commencement ceremony in the school stadium.
"It went by too fast," said Julianne Coronado, valedictorian. "It's surreal, and it's hard to believe I'm already graduating."
The 17-year-old was chosen to speak at the ceremony out of 12 valedictorians and, during her speech, told her fellow Brahmas that it's not about what they did in high school, but the people they met and grew up with that made it such a great experience.
Cornonado is moving on to USC as a biology major, and hopes to one day work in the medical field.
Principal Denis Paul is completely confident in this class's capabilities and future.
"Every class has a distinct personality," he said. "This class I gave the acronym 'C' to the third power because they're compassionate, courageous and competitive."
Class president Grace Hsieh embodies these attributes.
Her goal was to make a difference in her classmates' lives. Even if it was one person she touched, she was happy.
"Recently we had someone take his life and another die after he was hit by a car," she said. "I just want my classmates to treasure the time they have on this Earth."
The 18-year-old has grown a lot from her high school experience as class president. But all the long hours she spent setting up for events and planning graduation has been worth it.
"I'm euphoric, but I'm really going to miss the time I spent with my class," she said. "It's strange becoming an adult."
maritza.velazquez@sgvn.com
