The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by R.W. Bradford

Nia Mallett, 17, receives her diploma--and a gust of wind--at Homestead High School's graduation ceremony last week. Mallett recovered her composure--and her mortar board--beautifully.

Class of 1997

Final bell rings for this year's senior class

By Katherine Petersen

Kathryn Cardozo, senior class president at Homestead High School, found it a little overwhelming that after June 12, she wouldn't see many of her 381 classmates ever again.

Still, after spending the year working in student government, she was ready for a little anonymity.

"I like thinking that I might be able to get lost in the crowd and be a nobody," Cardozo said.

Katie Carrieri just couldn't believe the big day had finally arrived.

"I kept telling myself, 'If I can make it through spring break, I'll be OK,' and now I can't believe we're finally graduating," she said.

The grass of Homestead's football field could hardly be seen through the mass of people and chairs covering it. Parents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters stood along the aisles trying to snap photos as the graduates walked in by fours. Their entrance, a little straggly during rehearsal, had much improved for the real event.

Students seemed more than ready to flip their tassels and say goodbye to high school.

"Oh, God, it's great. It's one of the best things ever," said Blake Williams, Homestead's Associated Student Body president and one of the speakers during the ceremony.

"It feels like you've really accomplished something," Luke Hokama chimed in.

Senior year for Adrienne Pottie didn't quite live up to expectations. "I think it was one of the hardest years I've been through. A lot of students were angry and bitter and feel gypped, like we got cut out of a good deal," she said.

Teachers brought a lot of their problems with contract negotiations into the classroom, students said. "They forgot they were here for us," Pottie said.

Students heard many rumors up until the end of the year that the teachers might strike, causing the school year to be extended and graduation postponed, said Lesley Handa, the school's ASB social manager.

"There were a lot of problems, but I think this year's been a good learning experience," Cardozo said. "As a student leader, I learned a great deal about how to deal with complex issues."

Many of the graduates look forward to large college campuses where nobody knows them and people might be less judgmental.

"In high school, everyone thinks they know everything about you," Hokama said. "I have long hair, so people think I sell drugs, which couldn't be further from the truth. They know a couple of my viewpoints, so they think they know who I am."

Cardozo wants to study political science and public administration and manage a small city. Williams plans to study political science, followed by law school. Pottie is ready to change the face of education.

Hokama, who will attend UC-Santa Cruz next year, believes his life is just beginning. He and Williams reminisced about learning to play the trumpet together in fifth grade. The two were section leaders in marching band their senior year.

Williams also masterminded the seniors' cut day to Harbor Beach attended by most of the class. A few students who had cut too many classes already and risked being dropped had to stay behind.

Seniors looked back fondly on homecoming, which more students participated in than ever before. People who rarely help out with anything showed up to help build floats, Amanda Babb said.

"The school spirit was awesome," Cardozo said. "It was the best feeling in the world to have so many people show up."

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, June 18, 1997.
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