VISTA: High schools say goodbye to seniors

District grads in line for more than $3 million in scholarships

By RENEE HAINES and DANIEL ELY - For the North County Times | Friday, June 6, 2008 12:11 AM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Hundreds of families armed with balloons, flowers and homemade congratulations signs crowded stadiums at Vista's two largest high schools to cheer 1,271 graduating seniors Thursday.

"We are equipped to accomplish great things," Haleigh Grisandra, 18, senior class president at Rancho Buena Vista High School, said at outdoor ceremonies for the school's 711 graduating seniors.

At Vista High School, 560 students received their diplomas.

Vista Unified School District Superintendent Joyce Bales earlier Thursday said more than $3 million in college scholarships had been awarded to class of 2008 graduates from the two schools.

"This group will go on to do wonderful things," Bales said. "They have great aspirations."

At Rancho Buena Vista, many of the seniors stopped to wave at the bursts of cheers from packed bleachers as they made their way to folding chairs that took up most of the stadium's football field.

"Instead of being absorbed by our environments, let's change them," class valedictorian Casey Corwin, 18, told her fellow seniors.

Godwin Okafor had carefully navigated his way through crowds of onlookers carrying an oversized bouquet of flowers for his daughter, Ndidiamaka, 18, who plans to pursue college and a career in medicine.

"I'm very excited for her. I'm very impressed to see so many people here," he said.

"I have mixed emotions," said parent Connie Davis, whose daughter Emily, 17, a California Scholarship Federation honors student, will attend MiraCosta College.

"There's a sense of relief; yet it's also a very proud moment," Connie Davis said. "Also, she's my baby and growing up and leaving the house."

On the other side of town Thursday evening, friends and families of the graduates packed Vista High's Dick Haines Stadium to recognize the hard work of the class of 2008.

"It's almost comical to envision ourselves four years ago, anxious little freshmen that we were," said student body President Joseph Pollock. He recalled how the students felt on their first day of their new school at the early morning orientation.

"Now the only difference is that most of us can't get up that early anymore," Pollock said.

The crowd glittered with camera flashes as families tried their best to catch their graduate on film, though the best seats went to those who came early; cars took up every parking space for blocks.

"We're very proud of Camille," said Victoria Selway, who came with her husband from San Clemente to watch their granddaughter graduate, and found herself having to rush to keep from missing the opening ceremonies.

"She's a lovely and talented girl ... and luckily her name is far enough back in the order that we won't miss it."

After a performance of the national anthem by the Vista High chorus and a rendition of the R. Kelly song "The World's Greatest" by the school's musical theater seniors, the soon-to-be graduates took to the stage one at a time to receive their diplomas, proof of four years' work.

With binoculars and camera at the ready, Marianne and Paul Gorman waited beside the bleachers to hear their son Michael's name.

"It's very exciting, and very emotional," said Paul Gorman, "Michael was one of those kids who really had to work, but he met the challenge."

Paul Gorman said that thanks to hard work, and guidance from teachers, his son not only graduated, but learned a lot about himself and his own abilities.

"His counselor said he's the first kid in 20 years who's completed 90 units in one year," said the proud father, a smile beaming across his face.

And as for the next step, Paul said, Michael wants to be a teacher, to help kids.