By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
At the conclusion of Palisades Charter High School’s graduation ceremony June 8 at Stadium by the Sea, Principal Pam Magee instructed the 751 seniors seated before her to flip their tassels from right to left as a symbolic gesture of the crossing over to the next phase in life.
She barely had time to say “Congratulations!” before the students flung their caps skyward in unison and then began to dance to the beat of Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration,” a moment they had eagerly awaited not merely during the two-hour commencement, but for four eventful years.
“You made it!” Magee shouted—and they had.
The afternoon commencement started with the school’s symphony orchestra, concert band and drum line performing “Pomp and Circumstance” as Class of 2023 members filed onto the football field while parents, relatives and friends watched from the bleachers.
After Student Body President Peter Garff led the Pledge of Allegiance, Nicholas Brous, Benjamin Darvish, Bailee Isackson, Nicholas Jeffers, Val Martinez and Boris Munn performed the national anthem with saxophone, keyboard, drums and electric guitar.
Showing the ethnic and cultural diversity that defined this class, 16 graduates took turns greeting the crowd in their respective languages: Tala Maher (Arabic); Yisak Mulugeta (Amharic); Nail Gurbanov (Azerbaijani); Anirudh Chatterjee (Bengali); Kimiya Natan (Farsi); Iman Morlot (French); Shaya Keyvanfar (German); Shirel Farasatpour (Hebrew); Radha Desai (Hindi); Julia Musumeci (Italian); Hemosoo Woo (Korean); Sophie Zhu (Mandarin); Nika Glushneva (Russian); Ciara Torres (Spanish); Brent Madridejo (Tagalog); and Fiona Herzog (Taiwanese).
Magee stepped to the podium next and commended the guests of honor—the Class of 2023—for persevering through a global pandemic.
“You have figured out the silver lining,” Magee said. “It’s all about friendships and relationships. You are uniquely prepared to make your distinct mark on a new environment.”
She then introduced the special guest speaker, LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, who reflected on his own high school graduation 19 years ago almost to the day.
“Not only do I not remember what was said, I don’t remember who said it,” Melvoin said. “So I have a high degree of confidence you won’t remember what I say 19 years from now and probably not 19 minutes from now … but each act of kindness has a ripple effect. There’s really no such thing as a small act of kindness.
“You are graduating into a world that needs what each of you has to offer. We need your smarts, your grit, your courage, your ingenuity, but we also need your compassion, vulnerability and joy. You will likely forget what I said today, but you won’t forget how the people around you made you feel today and how they make you feel tomorrow.”
Acapali members Willa Browne, Carlie Given, Olivia Healy, Annika Johansson, Noah Korngute, Sunny Lehrhoff, Diya Prakash, River Tharae, Ben Santos and Ella White sang “End of the Road,” after which Senior Class President Talia Davood encouraged her peers.
“The next few years I’m asking that you don’t play it safe, that you never forget the power of your authenticity,” Davood said. “Take time to discover what it is that’ll get you up in the morning. Surround yourself with people who uplift you without trying to become them. By celebrating your individuality, you will be doing our world and yourself the greatest service.”
In his address, Valedictorian Dohyun (Andy) Ju asked his classmates to reflect on a lesson he learned a few years ago.
“This lesson isn’t about grades or academics,” Ju said. “It’s about a physical journey.”
One summer, Ju recalled, he decided to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the grand cathedral in the Spanish city of Santiago. The journey spanned five days, 72 miles across the countryside.
“On multiple occasions I felt like giving up, but the prospect of reaching Santiago filled each step with purpose, and eventually I made it,” Ju continued. “However, it wasn’t as exciting as I envisioned it to be. For me, connecting with the locals and immersing myself in Galician culture was far more valuable than the certificate I received for completing the trail.
“I realized sometimes the true value of a journey does not only lie in its destination, it also lies in smaller moments and memories that shape who we are today. I hope you never forget the value of these moments, and the insight and inspiration they can bring as you continue to pursue your dreams.”
Next there was a musical interlude performed by Pali High’s Senior Musicians and Soloists titled “Pali High Graduation Medley 2023,” which featured “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Take It Easy” and “Changes.”
Madridejo, a cancer patient, returned to the stage to share an inspiring message.
“One day while undergoing chemotherapy one of my nurses told me something I’ll never forget: Take it one day at a time,” Madridejo said. “What does that mean? Graduates, have your mind present at the moment. Focus on today and where you are right now. Don’t linger over the past too much or constantly think about the future. Keep moving along with what the present brings because the only thing we can do is move forward. Utilize the time you have. Trust yourself with the present. The past is done and the future can wait.”
At last the time came for Dr. Chris Lee, director of Academic Programs and Guidance Services and himself a 1990 Pali High alum, to join Magee and fellow faculty members in handing out the diplomas.
After the ceremony, students and guests were invited to a reception in the quad.
A full video of the ceremony is available at youtube.com/watch?v=jm0uHgCpGzY.
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