Class of 2026 celebrates Rim’s 70th commencement

By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer

 

Rim of the World High School held their 70th commencement of students at the Townsend Memorial football field at the high school in warm, sunny weather with a slight breeze, making it nice for both the graduates sitting in the sun on the field and the parents in the bleachers.

During the presentation of the diplomas, many confetti and steamer guns were seen shooting in to the air in the bleachers by parents and friends.

Of the 205 graduates that evening, nineteen of them were members of the National Honor Society. Eleven have the Seal of Bi-literacy on their diplomas. Forty-five grads received Golden State Seal Merit Diplomas. Only one student, Bradley Norton, had four years of perfect attendance, and twenty-four were Rim Virtual Academy graduates. Thirty-six received highest honors and thirty received high honors.

The band, which has been receiving superb ratings in all their competitions this year, played the processional song, “Pomp and Circumstance,” at 5 p.m. as the students entered on the track in front of their families to cheers and shouts as they entered. , facing the stage and ramp, over which they would walk up to receive their diplomas.

Principal Brian Keaney welcomed all. The pledge of allegiance was led by the ASB officers, Tatum Ortiz, Gracee Hilbert, Stephanie Fitzgerald and Grace Stout. Board members were introduced and Keaney presented two special awards to Aidan Lynch and Joshua Webster.

The Salutatorian speeches were given by Alan Rodriguez and Kaylie Serrano.  Alan, who had been awarded the Bill Gates Award, spoke on serendipity and forward-looking thoughts. Kaylie spoke on staying resilient, because even a happy life has some negativity, as she illustrated from scenes of the movie Inside Out.

The Valedictorian, Nina Hidajat, is the third member of her family to earn this honor, since her brother and sister were also Rim Valedictorians.  Nina, who was very active in ballet and other groups while growing up, had words of insight from a child who has watched others grow and mature before her and attend college, and has learned from them, too. She will be going to UCLA in the fall.

Superintendent Dr. Paul Sevillano spoke on ‘Hope’ and the fact that everything you do is in hope that something will occur, and the more positive the better. He had those in the audience who were Rim Graduates stand up, and about half of the audience stood and cheered. He lauded those who grew up here and had hope that staying would make their community a better place. “Look to find a way to make positive change, and help others in your own way,” he said. He also referenced Inside Out in terms of what must come together to make a better community.

After the playing of the Alma Mater, the names of each graduate were read by Assistant  Principal Althea Zimmer and Counselor Kathy DuBois. Students were handed diploma covers by the Senior Class Advisors Kristil Cobb and JoAnn Mazochia, after which they shook the hand of Principal Keaney. Most of the female students were wearing white graduations robes and the males were wearing dark blue ones. On their mortarboard hats, some had inspirational or funny sayings on them and other exotic and colorful decorations. Many graduates were wearing leis and long sashes of awards and honors won. A couple of the band and other competitive club members, wore numerous medals won in competitions.

The senior class officers, Delinda Moreno, Capri Ferguson, Kaylie Hallquist and Sophie Norlander, led the seniors in the turning of their tassels on their mortarboard hats indicating graduation, followed by a spontaneous tossing of the caps in the into the clear blue mountain skies.

The recessional played by the band accompanied the students into the buildings where they received their actual diplomas; then most returned to the field to gather with friends and family members to have photos taken, receive flowers and gifts and bid goodbye to their classmates. Students bade saying good bye to some who will be leaving for college and they may never see again.

Superintendent Sevillano complimented the ceremony with so many multi-generational families in attendance, and complimented the community for supporting the students as they venture out in to the world. Not many communities have such a strong infrastructure for their students as this one does, he said.