LAGUNA HILLS – Excited but a little nervous at the same time, Yeraldin Villa walked with her peers ready to have her name called and be part of the Laguna Hills High graduating class of 2008.
"I'm going to miss my friends…the whole environment here," Villa said as she walked toward the football stadium where the commencement took place.
Villa was one of the 392 seniors that graduated Wednesday evening. The class of 2008 was the first to graduate in the school's new football stadium.
For Catriona Lund, the friendships will be hard to let go.
"These are the kids that I grew up with," Lund said seconds before entering the packed stadium.
Once the students were seated, Principal Ed Adams looked at the crowd, thanked the parents for their support and gave some words of encouragement to the graduating seniors.
"Because you raised the bar you will be successful and will reach the top of the mountain," Adams said.
Valedictorian Carole Cox and Salutatorian Natalie Burkhard were recognized for their achievements. California Scholarship Federation sealbearers and medallion scholars were also acknowledged as were International Baccalaureate scholars and students who participated in the two-way language immersion program and AVID. The National Honor Society and the International Thespian Society were also recognized.
Suzie Swartz, president of the SVUSD Board of Education, gave the commencement address. She boasted about the students' high academic achievement, athletic success, and dedication to community service.
"Breathe in this moment and carry it with you," Swartz said.
Throughout the ceremony, parents and friends snapped pictures, took video and cheered for the students.
Mary Fierros came from San Bernardino to see her niece Jessica Rojas graduate.
"We're so proud of her and all of her accomplishments," Fierros said. "We're all celebrating for her."
"How wonderful to see our youth stay in school and go on," Fierros added.
