Greetings to the Class of 2009
This is the point, where as the class advisor I am supposed to offer you sage words of wisdom that you will tuck away in your hearts to carry with you forever.
In the fall of 2005 as freshman ....
"Like You" by Bow Wow was the #1 song in the country
You had yet to become familiar with terms like BBFA, NMA, Teen Court, Oakgrove, the AP Office, AVID, MUN, ACADECA and what the heck was a Letterman?
Major news events included Hurricane Katrina, the trial of Hussein and many were sad that freshman year when Florida defeated UCLA in the NCAA basketball finals.
Zac and Elizabeth were your first representatives of school royalty when they were selected to the homecoming court at the Mardi Gras dance.
The fall play was Anne Frank
There was a Harry Potter Club
Mayor Villarigosa came to help clean up our campus
Justin and Carlos were beginning their four year runs at dominating golf and choir, respectively.
There was a mosh pit at Battle of the Bands
You were able to slip out the pool gate for a Taco Bell run at lunch or nutrition.
Alex wanted to be the Uncle Rico character in "Napolean Dynamite" because and I quote "I'm dead sexy like him."
And Mrs. Davis sang "row row your boat" while she actually attempted to row a boat across the gym floor.
In your four years here ...
It is safe to assume you have eaten at Panda, In and Out, Chipolte, Titos, Costco, Taco Bell, Coldstone's, Subway and walked across campus carrying a beverage from Jamba, Starbucks or Coffee Bean
And speaking of food as sophomores David thought hot Cheetos, cold pizza, goldfish and yogurt made a good snack, while Mitchell offered us a banana and ketchup sandwich.
The Football Team played on ESPN
The basketball and volleyball teams made it to the City Finals
The golf team won the city title
Water Polo went from being a club to a varsity sport
And Andi swam at the Olympic Trials
You marched for immigration rights and against budget cuts
At some point you probably learned the Cha Cha Slide, the Soulja Boy and the Jerk even if you never performed them outside the safety of your bedroom.
You enjoyed over 50 different clubs, travels to China, New York, DC, and Europe, while also hosting visitors from places such as Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Lunch was always an interesting time with county food and various activities from pep rallies to Pi day to band performances. And who could forget as juniors Alec and Mike got married on Valentine's Day?
Your final Homecoming was Alice in Wonderland, the prom was in an aquarium, Eric and Ashley were your last touch with high school royalty. You watched an African American man be elected President and of course the Lakers won a championship.
So that brings us to today. This afternoon on Watson Field.
In about an hour you will be high school graduates. A high school graduate ... what does that mean. One major thing that will change is never having to ask permission or carry a pass to use the bathroom again. It is a big responsibility, so use it wisely.
In all seriousness I am sure you walked in today and realized there are some people here you have never “officially met”. However you are all bonded by being a member of this class, the Class of 2009.
Tomorrow you begin new adventures. For some of you that will involve sleeping since you will have just pulled an all nighter at Disney. You are going to spread out. There will be those of you headed to the traditional places for further education such as SMC, CSUN, UCLA and Cal. Other will branch out a bit more to places like Swarthmore, UCONN or even Madelyn who will follow her mother’s footsteps to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Monday will bring flights to other states and countries, the first day of a new job or a relaxing summer vacation.
So here are five things I want you to know ….
Learn to like yourself. I am sure there ar e days when you would like to see Angelina Jolie or Kobe Bryant looking back at you in the mirror, but it is not going to happen.
Don't be afraid. All you have to know is who you are. There is no such thing as failure. What other people label or might try to call failure, I have learned is just the universe’s way of pointing you in a new direction.
Enjoy your family and friends before they are gone.
Hard work, honesty, empathy, compassion and a smile will get you pretty far in life.
And finally Do What You Love. People are always going to ask you what you want to be when you grow up, what your plans are or what you want to study. It is just the old folks trying to start a conversation. Find your passion, whether it be underwater basket weaving or biomedical science. Find it! Pursue it! And Enjoy your lives!
Congratulations Class of 2009!
