Class of 2011 is Number One Twice

As parents and relatives chocked back proud tears but not cheers, more than 800 seniors graduated from Los Alamitos High School Tuesday.

Thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate the Class of 2011 Tuesday afternoon at a graduation ceremony at Cerritos College.  

"My lovely, wonderful, smart niece is graduating,” said Holly Risha who attended in honor of her niece, Elizabeth Raya.  "She's already registered in college. I love Los Alamitos, these kids have a bright future."

142 graduates are members of the National Honor Society and 116 are California Golden State Seal Merit Diploma recipients.

“Be absolutely sure to never take the easy way out,” Principal Dr. Grant Litfin said during his opening remarks. “Your future is bright, limitless and begins today.”

He then went on to recognize Los Alamitos students who had performed 100, 500, and 1,000 hours of community service. The audience in attendance cheered the principal after his speech, but they quickly turned to playful boo’s when Litfin confiscated the beach ball the class of 2011 passed around.

The teachers and administrators commended the students for the hard work and dedication it took to earn their diplomas. They encouraged them to build on that spirit of perseverance in the challenges that lay ahead in life. The loudest reception of the day might have gone to Superintendent, Dr. Greg Franklin when he quoted Winston Churchill, “When you’re going through hell, don’t stop!”

One by one, the student speakers shared some of the lessons they will carry with them from Los Alamitos High School.

“The most important thing I learned at Los Alamitos was humility. I am humbled by all your achievements,” Class Speaker Katherine Velicki said to her classmates.  

In keeping with the Los Alamitos tradition of a senior gift, the graduating seniors gave the school two new Griffin mascots. Members of the choir performed prior to the speech given by the selected Valedictorian.

The Los Alamitos class of 2011 had ten Valedictorians, Sharon Barazani, Laura Fast, Daniel Hejazi, Chelsey Honma, Ji Eun (Raea) Limb, Mai Nguyen, Sora Park, Caylee Paulson, Alexander Tran and Taylor Wood.  

Throughout the ceremony, many of the graduates' friends and families where overwhelmed with emotion.

Carmen Mota celebrated her niece, Breana Leion, a Griffins basketball player. “Proud, very proud of her,” Mota said. “She’s a year ahead, already going to cosmetology school.”

“I’m here for my great-grandson, Dijon Jones.  He’s great, he’s quarterback of the football team, he’s from a great family,” said his great-grandmother.  “Everything about that boy is great.”

Alexander Tran gave the commencement’s valedictorian speech.  “I hope you take the time to have face to face relationships, not Facebook relationships,” he advised his classmates.

“You never know where you’re going, unless you know where you’ve been.  I hope you never forget it is here where you found yourself,” he said. “Seizing the day, isn’t the same as seizing the dream, I love you class of 2011!”