CHS Class of 2015 graduates Sunday, May 17

The 2015 California High School graduates received their diplomas during commencement exercises held in the high school gym Sunday, May 17.
The 2015 California High School graduates received their diplomas during commencement exercises held in the high school gym Sunday, May 17.

California's 129th High School class graduated on Sunday, May 17, with 90 seniors taking the walk across the stage to receive the diplomas marking them as the Class of 2015.

The afternoon graduation included performances by the California High School Concert Band and the Senior Choir. Accompanied by the Processional of "Pomp and Circumstance," each senior member of the class entered the CHS gym for Commencement. After being joined by its senior members, the band performed "Moscow, 1941," by Brian Balmages.

The Commencement speaker Matt Oerly, a member of the graduating class, was introduced by Superintendent Dwight Sanders.

Oerly announced the Class Motto, making the point that it is a true statement - "It Could Be Worse." He went on to say that it had been suggested he speak on "Success," but finding that success depends more on who one asked, than any usable definition, he decided on "Humor" with the idea that there can always be humor.

Oerly said procrastination didn't really work that well. His handwriting was very poor at first, he said, since he couldn't even manage to keep the writing within the lines on the paper. It was procrastination that was to blame, since it is hard to write the paper due that day on the bus on the way to school and make the handwriting neat. One teacher was credited with asking him if he was deaf or ignoring the teacher.

Responsibility is a big item on the list, and its "going to hit us all like a truck." Respect is also important, illustrated by a story of being locked out of a classroom and, after no response to polite knocking, pounding on the door and yelling "Christie", the teacher's first name.

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Brant Collins creates a video for Create Little Rock.

"Stop worrying about what others think about you," Oerly advised. He then said, "When you don't have much at all, you all have humor."

The speech ended on a serious note. Oerly said, "None would have made it to this graduation without a lot of help." Then on behalf of the class, he thanked everyone - parents and other family members, teachers, administrators and everyone else - for all the help given to the Class of 2015 to get them through school and to the point of graduation.

The Senior Choir followed with a performance of "My Heart Will Lead Me Home," a piece by Cynthia Gray, directed by Michele Bilyeu.

High School Principal Mike Hight presented the Class of 2015 following which School Board President Jay VanDieren accepted the class and the diplomas were presented by school board members Craig Ash, Paul Bloch, Joe Kirby, Rhonda Meyer, Philip Burger, Kyle Wirts and VanDieren. The class sang "Alma Mater" by Johnson.

In her closing remarks, Class President Jasmine Wells, encouraged the Class of 2015 and told the class it was time to switch the tassels to the other side of the caps. As this was done, some of the caps were tossed in the air to applause.

The Concert Band performed the Recessional of "Rondo" from "Premiere Suite." The class had 34 members in the National Honor Society.