by Olive Pea & Lydia I. Martinov
This year’s Graduation and Promotion ceremony was fantastic. We had many promotions, and 5 seniors! It took place at the San Ramon Community Center in the elegant fountain room. A green patch of Central Park, and the Community Center fountains, were visible through the windows. The crescent shape of the room provided great acoustics. There were numerous rows of seats with an aisle for the walk that ran straight through the center of the floor. The stage was large with a screen for the projector, and the back wall of the stage was illuminated by bright, colorful lights. In the back of the room was a snack table with various cookies, delectable muffins, and palatable drinks.
Some people arrived early to set up at 1:45. An hour later, our awesome graduates arrived to rehearse their walk. At 3:30 the doors opened, and families and friends entered the room and took their seats. Lovely classical music played in the background. Once everybody was seated, the music changed, and the graduates walked down the aisle, and sat down in their assigned seats. The sound of conversations echoed through the room.
Once everybody was seated, the promotees and graduates walked gracefully down the aisle to lovely graduation-worthy music. Then, each of the kindergarteners received their certificates. The 2nd and 3rd 5th graders were next. Before the middle school graduates received their certificates, 2 wonderful musical performances took place. First was Meru S., who played Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise, Op. 26, Mvt .I. on the flute. After her was Olivia P., who played Consolation No. 3 in D Flat., S. 172 by Franz Liszt on the piano. Both performances set a tranquil tone to the atmosphere of the room. Once the 8th graders’ performances were finished, the middle schoolers received their certificates and were promoted to high school. Seniors Amelie and Isabella sang “For Good” from their favorite musical: Wicked. The audience adored their delightful performance. Finally, the high schoolers’ graduation began. Each graduate’s slide show took the audience through their school journey with a montage of childhood photos. Their parents each said a heartfelt speech to their grown-up children, and many sentimental tears were shed. At 4:50, the turn of the tassel began. The graduates turned the tassels on their hats from the right to the left with smiles on their faces. They threw the hats in the air, and officially ended the first chapter of their stories.
Here are the amazing graduates and promotions:
Kindergarten:
Spencer C.
Kaylee R.
2nd:
Summer A.
Mila M.
3rd:
Skye C.
5th:
Amber A.
August G.
Jacob P.
Evan S.
8th:
Olivia P.
Meru S.
Yeshua P.
Camden S.
And finally, our wonderful seniors:
Amelia D.
Isabella D.
Pierce E.
Miles P.
Elizabeth S.
The Lighthouse gives a special thank you to our TVE leaders and volunteers for making this event happen, as well as the promotees and seniors in attendance! A special congratulations for the special seniors, we hope that the closing of this chapter in your lives is followed by many exciting and wonderful adventures.
The Lighthouse 