Paso Robles High School graduates class of 2016
Paso Robles High School graduation class of 2016
Principal encourages graduates to ‘stay true to yourself’
Paso Robles High School held a graduation ceremony for the class of 2016 on Friday at the War Memorial Stadium at Flamson Middle School. There were 413 seniors receiving diplomas. Principal Jennifer Gaviola delivered the welcome address, encouraging the new graduates to “stay true to yourself.” Gaviola quoted poet Robert Frost and urged the class to “take the road less traveled” on their new journey.
Special acknowledgments were given by high school faculty member Jon-Paul Ewing to graduates in the student foreign exchange program. The countries represented in the class of 2016 are Belgium, Mongolia, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Thailand. A total of 10 students from these countries graduated with the class of 2016.
Deputy Principal Erin Haley acknowledged 37 seniors who received the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy award is a California Department of Education program that recognizes high school seniors who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The students were awarded a medallion and the official seal is affixed to each diploma.
Assistant Principal Thomas Harrington acknowledged the graduates who are entering military service and have enlisted in the United States Navy, United States Army, the National Guard and the United States Marines. Harrington said that the community will always be there for these graduates and honor their service.
The afternoon’s program included addresses from Senior Class President Brandt Goodman, Associated Student Body President Lizette Juarez, Valedictorian Taylor Bedrosian and Salutatorian William Penn.
Goodman said, “There is security in the unknown,” and related how being a filmmaker has given Goodman the opportunity to view the world from different perspectives. “The world is not all good, but it is not hopeless. If you want to make the world good it starts with you,” said Goodman. Juarez, delivering her address in both English and Spanish, said “Guess who gets to decide what’s next? We do.” Juarez asked the graduates to remember three things, “Learn, believe and remember. Remember where you come from. Your history can never be taken from you.”
Senior Class President Brandt Goodman and Associated Student Body President Lizette Juarez.
Bedrosian said that he anticipates “seeing great works by members of this class.” Penn said the class of 2016 is a “class of superheroes.”
Valedictorian Taylor Bedrosian
Salutatorian William Penn
In his address to the graduates Superintendent Chris Williams said, “Today you will begin your journey into the future.” Williams encouraged the graduates to, “Make this life an adventure. If you are not learning you are not living.”
President of the Board of Trustees Field Gibson presented the graduation class of 2016. Diplomas were presented by members of the Board of Trustees.
The Masters of Ceremonies were Marcy Goodnow and Anthony Overton, The processional was played by the high school band directed by Santino Galvan. Paso Robles Composite Squadron 446 conducted the presentation of colors. Las Voces Celestiales led the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and graduates Ryan O’Mahoney and Jeffrey Neuman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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