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The class of 2003 has endured many trials in its four years at Saratoga High School. It coped with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
It saw war for the first time since many students became cognizant.
It suffered tragedy, as the school lost three students to car accidents in 2001.
It mourned the death of cross country and track coach Marshall Clark in the fall.
And it experienced "seemingly endless construction," said graduation speaker Patrick McKenna. "Distant hammering became part of our tests as much as writing our name."
Despite those obstacles, the class managed to stay united, taking first place in the homecoming activities this year and making memories to last a lifetime. "Hopefully, we will remember our times in this little California oasis as some of the best times in our lives," McKenna said.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Told not to eat in class, senior Aaron Burke (right) ate his sandwich during the graduation ceremony, as friend Mike Cannizzaro looked on.
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The seniors said goodbye to those times on June 12, celebrating the completion of their high school years with a graduation ceremony on the Benny Pierce Field.
With the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in the background, graduates marched across the field in robes of either blue or white. While most waved to family and friends in the audience, it was evident that technology has come home to Saratoga High—many students called their parents on cell phones to point them in the right direction.
References to pop culture were everywhere in the graduation addresses, with Erica Tsai and Judy Wang mentioning the television show Fear Factor and pop star Justin Timberlake, and Jojo Choi and Sherveen Salek speaking in Internet lingo for part of their speech.
Decked out in impressive purple robes, Principal Kevin Skelly introduced valedictorian Stella Young and salutatorians Allan Chu and Phillip Sung. Skelly also presented the senior class officers—President Po-Yuan Chen, Vice President Julie Siegel, Secretary Nancy Jeng and Treasurer Ali Naqvi. The officers thanked various people at Saratoga High and read the names of graduating seniors.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Graduate Erica Tsai gets some help adjusting her cap as she prepares for Saratoga's graduation ceremonies.
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Additional thank-yous came from speaker Swati Balakrishnan, who said it was due to community support that the class was graduating. "We've had teachers who have pushed us to our academic limits, teachers who have made us laugh every single day, teachers who have supported us," Balakrishnan said. She also spoke words of appreciation to school administrators and parents.
"Education is a living and growing entity. It is what is left after training has passed," Balakrishnan said. "I'm sure in time, some of us will send our children here. I can think of no higher praise than that."
Skelly had the last words at the ceremony. "I pronounce you high school graduates," he said; what he said next was drowned out by the roars of the crowd.
And, armed with an outstanding education from Saratoga High, the graduates were off and running.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad