A total of 373 students graduated this year. About 40 percent of them will go to four-year universities while another 50 percent will head for two-year colleges.

No matter what their future plans are, graduation from high school is a big deal to all of them.

"I am so happy that I can graduate on time," said Justina Staden, who took night and summer classes to make up for the classes she skipped in her sophomore year. "A couple of people in my family didn't graduate from high school. I feel it is an obligation for me to set an example for my younger brothers and sisters."

Photograph by Erin Day Several Fremont High School grads had smiling faces as they made their way to Diesner Field for the 2003 Commencement exercises held Thursday, June 12.

"It seems appropriate for me to begin with the flagship school of the Fremont Union School District," Rowley said. "The history of the school and its strong alumni following has come to exemplify the values we all cherish: community spirit, loyalty, achievement, and appreciation for cultural diversity."

Fremont High School indeed embodies diversity.

At least 30 different languages are spoken on campus. Caucasians make 32 percent of its student body. About 37 percent of the students are Hispanic, 17 percent Asian, 9 percent Filipino, and 4 percent African American.

Photograph by Erin Day Stuart Anthony holds on to his motarboard while walking with other Fremont High School grads to Diesner Field for the 2003 Commencement exercises.

"The students bring all sorts of perspectives to Fremont. They walk around with their cultural pride," said guidance resource teacher Melisa Pena during an interview prior to graduation. "We are learning something new every day about humanity from these students."

Thanks to its diversity, Fremont's graduation ceremony resembled an international fair with a splendid display of ethnic clothes and customs.

Graduate Lance Lesui was overwhelmed by laces made of candies, chocolate bars and $1 bills. His sister Trisha said it is a Samoan tradition to make candy laces for special occasions. She made 19 candy laces for Lance, her cousin Danny Mase, and their friends who graduated this year.

Photograph by Erin Day While waiting for the processional to begin, Kim Pestano (center) and her classmates clap and sing 'Stand by Me' and other songs just to pass the time.

Among the 54 students who cannot graduate with their classmates this year, some were newcomers to the country; some struggling with school; some working to support families and some acting as heads of households because their parents cannot speak English.

"Our students are all very different and face different challenges in their life but what amazed me most in this year's class was the cohesiveness they showed. They supported one another. They cheered for one another," according Pena, who provides career and personal counseling for the school's sophomores and seniors.

The Class of 2003 had some unusual sentimental circumstances their last year of school.

Photograph by Erin Day One grad shows off her diploma and waves toward the audience with excitement during the Fremont High School 2003 Commencement.

"Whether the students remember me or not doesn't really matter," Duncanson, 59, said. "I just want to be a good influence on their life."

Kirschner, who has taught Spanish and German at Fremont for 35 years, said, "It is time for us to bow out."

Goodbye was sad but it also marked a new beginning.

"There are no more school bells. There are no more classes. The only adult we will be answering to will be ourselves," said Aysha Pamukcu, one of the four graduation speakers. "Class of 2003, the world is yours."