Burlington, CNCA’s initial charter school campus, graduated its first group of students who attended the school from kindergarten through 8th grade. On Thursday June 18th, graduates and their proud families gathered together to commemorate this special occasion. The ceremony included performances from the top 8th grade dancers trained in the after school dance program, speeches from Principal Atyani Howard, Assistant Principal Nicole Berg and teachers Suzanne Reznikoff and Tessa Cedar, as well as presentations by valedictorians Brenda Sepulveda and Andrea Coreas. In addition to being co-valedictorian, Ms. Coreas was also a 2009 runner-up in the “Save Me a Spot in College” contest, chosen out of more than 250 applicants across California to receive a $500 scholarship.
The Harvard campus also graduated its first 8th grade class who were Harvard students since kindergarten. Nearly 300 people were on hand Friday June 19th to witness 56 students graduate. One of the central themes of the graduation was the growth that has taken place in the school and in the students since its inception. Principal Kate Sobel welcomed the audience, with student speakers Lenard Meija and Katy Agramon and parents Kerlin Castillo-Arellano and Milca Jimenez providing moving accounts of what Harvard has meant to them and their families. In keeping with the spirit of the school’s “College Ready, College Bound” motto, the graduation program included a list of where each student intends to enter college in the fall of 2013.
Camino Nuevo High School held its celebration on Wednesday June 17th to honor its second graduating class. The Class of 2009, consisting of 83 graduates, is 100% college-bound, with 76% of the students accepted to a four-year university. CNHS principal and keynote speaker Scott Weatherford spoke of how the class had exceeded expectations for typical Los Angeles high school students. He also exhorted them to remember that “you are an agent of change. Never forget your dedication to social justice through serving others and working for change in your community. Graduates of the class of 2009: you have made a difference, you are making a difference, and you will make a difference." As further proof of their exceptional achievement, CNCA congratulates the Class of 2009 on collectively earning more than $120,000 in college scholarships.
CNCA proudly congratulates all of its 2009 graduates.