CARLSBAD -- Names, but not just names.
… Kyle T. Baroni, Isaias Isaac Barragan, Alma Barreto …
Seven hundred forty-six souls. Seven hundred forty-six young graduates seated on a green field, squinting in the sun, looking back over 13 years of skinned knees, of teachers' hugs and frowns, of exams and papers, of friends and family, looking out into the future full of promise, giddy, hopeful and a bit nervous.
Carlsbad's three high schools -- Carlsbad High, Carlsbad Village Academy and Carlsbad Seaside Academy -- sent their seniors into the world in two graduation ceremonies Thursday. Under cerulean skies, the two academies graduated 86 seniors in a 9 a.m. ceremony at Carlsbad Village Academy. Carlsbad High School officials called the names of 660 seniors in an afternoon ceremony at Lancer Field.
Carlsbad High School assistant principals Margaret Stanchi and Tom Bloomquist took turns announcing the names, as seniors in gowns of purple and gold filed up one at a time.
… Kenneth Wayne Chapman, Jacob Roy Chase, Jinxi Chen …
School board members Lisa Rodman, Nicole Pappas, Mark Tanner, Kelli Moors and Elisa Williamson shook hands with graduates as they crossed the stage and down the center runway. Principal Scott Wright, who is retiring this year, shook hands and wished each student well.
Benjamin Patrick Broadmeadow delivered a speech called "Last Words," in which he challenged his classmates to shrug off the moniker with which the world has shouldered his generation. Coined the "I" generation for its prevalence of iPods, iTunes and the "iNet," Broadmeadow rallied his friends to use technology to benefit the world.
Melany Hadorn, along with Sloane Herrick, Jillian Porter, Madeline Romero, Adriana Spencer and Summer Spiro, sang "For Good," an a cappella tune that spoke of relationships and the changes they bring.
As the names were called, the soon-to-be graduates batted a beachball among a sea of mortarboards, sunglasses, cell phones and flowery leis of purple, lavender and beige. As they walked up, more than a few young men flopped by in sandals and shorts, their bare legs sticking out under their graduation robes.
Above, a plane circled the stadium pulling a banner bearing a message: Congratulations Mimie 06 Class.
In a powerful speech called "Oh, the Places You'll Go," Lillian Tran reminded the class of 2006 that in their years of school they gained knowledge from books and wisdom from people.
"We have what it takes to make it outside the campus," she said, her voice full of emotion and power. "We've learned a thing or two just by coming here everyday. We've learned a few things by living.
"Dare to believe in something greater than what you are," she demanded. "Live like heroes!"
… Brent Jeremy Zeldon, Alicia R. Zepeda, Ashley Anne Zoren.
And with Zoren's name -- the last of 660 graduates -- the class of 2006 flipped their tassels and with a cheer launched their mortarboards skyward.
Family and friends then joined the graduates on the field for impromptu photo sessions punctuated by excited hugs, handshakes and for a few parents, sighs of relief.
Corrine Crockett, wearing a gold robe signifying her honor-roll status, collected "The Six" -- the six girls that have stuck together through the years since kindergarten at Kelly School: Anne Baker, Lindsay Campbell, Corrine, Jillian Porter, Laura Kloetzer and Melissa Morrell.
Although the young women are headed for different colleges, they will continue to be friends "for the next 30 years," Corrine said.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of family members and friends gathered in the courtyard of the Carlsbad Village Academy for the graduation of 60 members of Carlsbad Village Academy and 26 members of Carlsbad Seaside Academy.
"This is another hallmark year for alternative programs," said Principal Keith Holley, addressing the audience under an arch of blue and silver balloons.
Carlsbad native Tim Wrisley, founder and editor of Carlsbad Magazine, told the graduates that being in New York during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made him reprioritize his life and appreciate his hometown, and that he hoped they would, as well.
"You can do anything you want in life, and you can do it from here," said Wrisley.
Four graduating students delivered addresses punctuated by the popping of balloons in the morning sun.
"We have beaten the odds, the threats and the predictions of failure," said Carlsbad Village Academy Valedictorian Rachel Smith, who ended her speech with a promise to make her teachers proud.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy Valedictorian Margaret Dana told fellow graduates that they should "embrace the fact that we don't know everything." Salutatorian Gabrielle Gadbois encouraged graduates to "savor the tiny miracles of every day."
Carlsbad Seaside Academy Student of Merit David Bergstedt drew laughter and applause with a brief but humorous speech, in which he said he would like "a super-sized order of success with a side of happiness, and for dessert, wealth."
Following the speeches and scholarship presentations, the graduates, who wore traditional black gowns, walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. As their names were called, many students waved and pointed to loved ones in the audience. One graduate's enthusiastic response encompassed the against-all-odds theme of the ceremony: after receiving her diploma, she raised her arms triumphantly.
"Yeah!" yelled the graduate. "I told you so!"
Alexandra DeLuca contributed to this story. Contact staff writer Philip K. Ireland at (760) 901-4043 or pireland@nctimes.com.
