NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
May 31, 2013 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Graduation Day
Class of 2013 Commencement Ceremonies Held
WALNUT, CA—Over 1,500 graduating seniors took the stage during commencement ceremonies at Diamond Bar and Walnut High Schools on May 30.
Families and friends filled the football stadiums to watch the milestone moment as Class of 2013 seniors took the stage and received their diplomas. At the end of the ceremonies they graduates threw their caps in accomplishment and celebration.
During the 44th Commencement at Walnut High School 768 Mustang graduates marched into the Ken Gunn Stadium for 7p.m. ceremony.
Student Speakers Edward John Cabasal and Hilda Kajbaf delivered a graduation message to their classmates titled “Success is a Journey.”
Congratulations to Walnut High School Valadictorians: Kaelan Chan, Avika Dua, Jessica Kwok, Amy Lee, Morgan Lee, Jasmine Lin, Nahlee Lin, Margaret Pan, Elliot Park, Matthew Tsai, Priscilla Tsui, He Wang, Brittany Watu, Marion Xu, Julius Yee, Mason Yu, Kingston Zhou, Kingswell Zhou, and Lucas Zung. IB Diploma Candidates: Jeffrey Chen, Yi-Hua Chen, Mira Chiu, Andrew Chuen, Kaitlin Clark, Joseph Din, Michael Duarte, Diane Fann, Kevin Fong, Raytene Han, George He, Leon Ho, Grant Hoh, Aaron Huang, Timothy Huang, Sharon Hwang, Erika Ingram, Daniel Kim, Joshua Kim, Michelle Kim, Nathan Kim, Samuel Kim, Sandra Ko, Joyce Lam, Felix Lee, Kenny Lee, Michael Lee, Luxi Liang, Roger Liang, Rebecca Liaw, Nahlee Lin, Po-Hsuan Lin, Sean Liu, Yan Liu, Denise Lopez, John Martin Louis Luna, Erica Ma, Celine Mansjur, Kristen Nacionales-Tafoya, Abeer Nasir, Lan-Anh Ngo, Stanley Nhan, Amanda Ong, Leonie Phoa, Natalie Polacek, Rohit Rajkumar, Ty Jalayah Robertson, Adrian Rodriguez, Deborah Sam, Jonathan Shieh, Emmy Shih, Shanelle Sua, Kevin Sui, Alan Sun, Alex Takahashi, Albert Tang, Cheyenne Tate, Brianna Thorpe, Paulina Tinana, Matthew Tsai, Jessica Villanueva, Christina Vu, Eric Wang, James Wei, Jay Won, Sharon Wu, Marion Xu, Terry Xu, Timmothy Yacoub, Molly Yee, Tiffany Yen, Mason Yu, and William Zhuang.
Commencement ceremonies for the thirtieth graduating class at Diamond Bar High School were held at 6:30 pm.
Class of 2013 flag bearers Evan York and Mi So Kwak proudly led over 800 graduating Brahmas into Holmes Memorial Stadium.
York was recently awarded the 1st Annual Principal’s Recognition Scholarship and DBHS Super Star Student Award. Kwak, an inspirational blind flutist, marched with the elite Bands of America Honor Band in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade.
The Thundering Herd Band, under the direction of Steve Acciani, performed “Pomp & Circumstance” during the processional.
“When I think of the Class of 2013, two words come to mind - resolve and determination. These words have been the defining tenet of which you have set your self apart as a graduating class. Seniors you have shown the ability to choose what you believe in, the resolve to stand up for your beliefs and the determination to achieve your goals – you have been amazing,” Principal Catherine Real said.
Valedictorians Joshua Chen, Casey Lam, Christopher Lee and Udodiri Okwandu delivered the commencement address.
The theme was “The way is long – let us go together. The way is difficult – let us help each other. The way is joyful – let us share it. The way is ours alone – let us go in love. The way is open before us – let us begin.”
The speakers thanked grade level coordinators, teachers, family and friends for helping their dreams and aspirations come true.
“For the seniors of the Class of 2013, we must face this change with the same dedication, resilience and confidence that we have demonstrated these past four years of high school,” Okwandu said.
“The memories and experiences that we hold dearly in our hearts will act as bridges between the separate journeys that we set out upon,” Lee said.
“Because whether we are athletes, musicians, dancers, nerds, gamers, hipsters, or benchwarmers - we are the knuckleheads that make up the Class of 2013. The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match and each one of you is a fuse. So rejoice, celebrate, Hakuna Matata – we did it!” exclaimed the foursome.
Congratulations to DBHS Valedictorians: Deedee Chao, Joshua Chen, Genevieve Cheung, Jimmy Cheung, Stephanie Chow, Favian Ho, Brittani Kellogg, Casey Lam, Alice Lee, Christopher Lee, Joyce Lee, Sowbhagya Nalla, Udodiri Okwandu, Jonathan Phan, Zephan Walters, Adrienna Yan and Jason Yang. IB Diploma Certificates: Hajra Bawany, Jonathan Chandrasekhar, Deedee Chao, Stephanie Chow, Joshua Fachtmann, Eric Huang, Alexander Jeon, Irene Jeon, Daniel Chanyoung Kim, Kevin Kuhlman, Haelynn Kwon, Laurie Lee, Che-Hsuan Liao, Jackson Lu, Gwyneth Mallari, Katharina Miyoshi, Dylan Nguyen, Lauren Pak, Audrey Phone, and Adrienna Yan.
Shown:
Diamond Bar High School flag bearers Evan York and Mi So Kwak proudly led the Class of 2013 into the stadium.
Over 800 Diamond Bar High seniors entered the stadium for commencement ceremonies held on May 30.
Steve Acciani directs the Thundering Herd band during the processional.
Validictorians Joshue Chen, Casey Lam, Christopher Lee and Udodiri Okwandu delivered the Commencement Address.
Members of the Class of 2013 cheered as Catherine Real delivered the Principal’s Address.
Graduates applauded during the Commencement Address.
After receiving his diploma, DBHS graduate Joey Fontana waves to family and friends celebrating a milestone accomplishment.
Wearing their valedictorian medals, Udodori Okandu, Joyce Lee, Alice Lee, Brittani Kellogg show off their diplomas.
Brahma valedictorians Josh Chen, Genevieve Cheung and Favian proudly show their diplomas during the commencement ceremony held on May 30.
Walnut High School Commencement photos by SGV Tribune Leo Jarzomb/Staff Photographer.