THE REPORTER: Congratulations Class of 2008!

Spirited grads enjoy achievements: By Kimberly K. Fu

Clear skies and crisp breezes greeted a throng as at least several hundred gathered Thursday on the Vacaville Christian High School football field to honor the graduating class of 2008.
A compact class of 88, the graduating seniors seemed as close as siblings as they hugged, clasped hands, laughed and cavorted while waiting for the commencement ceremonies to begin.

Garbed in robes of navy and white and wreathed in flower leis as well as stoles and cords signifying various achievements and memberships, the young men and women also happily waved to families and friends who offered well wishes from the sidelines. Cameras flashed, endearments were screamed and implements such as cowbells were rung.

As the ceremony got under way, prayers were said and praises were sung, music lifted the collective spirit and many had their say about both students and teachers who mingled and connected during the past four years at Vaca Christian.

Salutatorian Justine Folk shared recollections of a singing principal, literally entertaining teachers and students who gave their all to make each day just a little brighter. Such memories, she said, could be why so many of her peers are loath to move forward. There’s no fear of the future, she said, just a reluctance to leave behind good people and good times.

She described the school’s teachers and staff as “encouragers, mentors and friends. These people and what they taught us will not be soon forgotten.”

Valedictorian Aaron Valenzuela joked about learning Calculus “from someone who looks and acts like he could be my brother,” experiencing tremors thought to be earthquake-related but “that’s just Coach Smith telling us to do 25 more push-ups,” and having a teacher who has “a full-grown anaconda on his wall and knows how to kill a monkey with a blow dart.”

On a more serious note, he thanked friends for making school fun, parents for their support, and teachers, staff and faculty for everything else.

“Thank you for knowing us, for knowing who each of us are, for teaching us and loving us,” he said. “You’ve been good to us ... and reminded us that God will be good to us as well.”

Speaker and math teacher Tanner Auch encouraged students to move forward in faith, commit to God’s will, nurture good relationships, touch other’s lives and lead value-filled ones, as well.

“All of your teachers love you and praise you and will continue to when you take off from here,” he added.

Moments later shouts filled the air as the Class of 2008 celebrated its status as high school graduates.

Vacaville Christian High School Graduating Class of 2008

Julianna Aldredge, Taylor Boe, Jennifer Brasseal, Lauren Braun, Ashleigh Brett, Keely Brown, Miranda Conway, Matthew Cooley, Jordan Coupe, Haley Cunningham, Amy Dallenbach, Raymond DeGracia, Melissa DiFrancesco, Bailey Ekin, Kimberly Embry, Samara Erb, Keriana Ewing, Alec Falkner, Justin Fitzgerald, Justine Folk and Shalynn Fuentes, Jonathan Gee, Courtney Goodenough, Bryan Goodson and Tomas Gustafson.

Daniel Guttridge, David Harris, Holden Hartley, Kathryn Hedger, Andrew Hibbs, Daniel Holz, Brandon Hood, Kalani Hubbard, Sara Hudson, Eliese Johansen, Erik Johansen, Daniel John, Christopher Johnson, Hugh Kidd, Matthew Knauf, Bryce Koizumi, Megan Kura, Kelly Lamb, Morgan Latham, Caleb Lister, Jamie Lytle and Joelle MacLean, Michael Mapili, Rachel Martin, Amy Martinez, James Masingale, Hilary Mitchell, Shane Moore, Christopher Mui and Laura Mulholland.

Jennifer Naku, Spencer Norling, Kenneth Norman, Serina Nunez, Laura Odneal, Benjamin Ojeda, Tiffany Owen, Angelica Parker, Michael Picazo, Alyssa Pielstick, Jennelle Planas, Alexis Read, Darin Reyes, Rebecca Richardson, Robert Rodriguez, Courtney Salamone, Brittany Sommese, Zachary Stine, Melvin Strong, Spencer Struwe, Aziza Sullivan, Alexandra Taylor, Nathaniel Thorn, Renee Thrasher, Beau Troxclair, Aaron Valenzuela, Jonathan Van’t Hul, Charles Vollstedt, Morgan Vucurevich, Kyle Welsh, John Wemple, Taylor Whitt, Joshua Williams.

Watch in the days to come for publication of a list of scholarship winners.

Posted in: VCS in the News | High School News