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Community Corner

Los Al High School Class of 2013 Bids Farewell

More than 800 students received their diplomas at the Home Depot Tennis Center Thursday.

It's a bittersweet goodbye.

More than 800 students from Los Alamitos High School received their diplomas at a graduation ceremony in Carson Thursday.

To see even more photos of the event, click here. 

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Looking out at a sea of red and blue caps and gowns, senior Daniel Szechy, addressed the gathered Griffins and said Los Al High had made them better people.

“We are who we are because we want to school here,” Szechy said. “The mixed clash of all the different personalities here at Los Al shaped us immeasurably. And I couldn’t be prouder.”

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"When I look at you, I can see that inner eagle and lion," Szechy added. “I speak for everyone when I say we know how to have a hell of a good time."

As Szechy spoke an airplane flew over the stadium, pulling a banner with the words “Congratulations Solange! We love you! (Heart) Class of 2013.”  The name mostly likely refers to Solange Nicole Astudillo, one of the graduates.

An aircraft wasn’t the only way thousands of attendees at the Home Depot Tennis Center celebrated the grads' accomplishments.

While officials read the students' names and handed out diplomas, some family members and friends threw confetti made of programs, used air horns and waved signs with phrases like “Way 2 Go Rachel” and “Congratulations Demy.”

The family of graduate Jeremy Ponce, a Rossmoor teen, brought giant black letters covered in glitter that spelled out “Jeremy” to honor him.

Los Alamitos Unified School District Sherry Kropp urged the former students to chase their passions.

“Takes risks,” Kropp said to the class of 2013. “You have only have this one life here on earth, so make it count.  And if you want to change the world you really can."

She also thanked the gathered parents for “entrusting us with your children.”

“You really sent us the most amazing young people, students who enlighten and enrich our lives every day and we are grateful," Kropp said. 

Before walking to their seats to the song Pomp and Circumstance, students waited in the hallways of the stadium. There were cries of “Wooh” and “We did it!" along with the traditional “Guys, keep it down,” from at least one school official.

The grads celebrated during the ceremony too, throwing beach balls throughout the speeches. Some grads waved to parents, others gave thumbs ups and still others posed for cellphone, smartphone or camera pictures.

Mother Ruth Pukini, a Los Alamitos resident, attended to cheer on her son, Joshua Brittain, who plans to attend Texas A&M and then join the Navy.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Pukini said. “I just want him to always keep his eyes on the Lord and to just use the gifts that God has given him.”

After receiving her diploma, graduate Darla Root, who plans to study business at Cal State Long Beach, said she feels accomplished and happy.

Her advice to any freshman about to enter high school?

“Just embrace it and have fun because it goes by really fast,” Root said.

If you have something to tell a Los Al grad please put it in the comments. Or type it into the white text box on the right and leave a free announcement for everyone.

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