Graduating seniors walk into find their seats during the Saugus High Graduation ceremony held at College of the Canyons on Thursday, 060321. Dan Watson/The Signal
The Saugus High School Class of 2021 discussed how they learned a number of academic disciplines and skills during their time on Centurion Way at Thursday’s graduation ceremony.
But the class, unlike almost any other graduating class in Santa Clarita Valley history, has also learned how to deal with the aftermath of loss.
Whether it be a loss of friends, a loss of parents or the loss of a traditional high school experience, the Centurions’ Class of 2021 spent the past 20 months, as teacher Jim Klipfel said, becoming well-versed in deciding how to respond to a crisis.
“Will we emerge worse off, the same or stronger; choose misery, the status quo or strength?” asked the California Teacher of the Year honoree, recounting advice he and the other survivors of the Saugus High School shooting on Nov. 14, 2019, had received.
The teacher then asked the Class of 2021 — which he characterized as “amazing, resilient and promising, young people” — to use life’s pain, losses and challenges as an opportunity to grow.
“Lean into life’s sharp edges, seek not to avoid the storm,” said Klipfel. “Learn to dance in the rain; this will make you stronger and in turn happier.”
He then left the class with five final words, and a few suggestions:
“Choose strength, love each other, do it intentionally, do it with purpose,” said Klipfel. “Thank you and Saugus Strong.”
Class speaker Kaitlyn Thanet challenged the idea, at least for her class, that high school needed to be the best four years of their lives, as has been commonly said to them, she said.
But instead, she asked the graduates, who had been largely removed from campus for the majority of both their junior and senior years, to realize that high school did not need to be the “High School Musical” version, as it has been for many before them.
“High school doesn’t need to be your peak, instead it needed to prepare you for it,” said Thanet. “Those four words were my stepping stone into the realization that complimenting a stranger as you pass by, or being there for a friend at 3 in the morning, are some of the most important aspects in life.
“As you walk out of this stadium and say goodbye to friends who you may never see again, take a second and think about what your stepping stone is,” she added. “What is catapulting you into the best years of your life?”
But regardless of what they plan to choose for their futures, those in attendance Thursday — from the parents to the extended family members to even the firefighters showing their support for their fallen colleague’s daughter — were just happy to see the students thriving one more time.
“A lot of guys here were there for that day,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Chris Reade, referencing the shooting that took the lives of students Dominic Blackwell and Gracie Muehlberger. “And the efforts from the faculty of the school, from the first responders, both law enforcement and Fire … it’s nice to see the students be able to move on with their lives.”
In total, the Saugus High School Class of 2021 had 584 graduates, 202 graduating with honors. Their common college choices included a number of the University of California and California State University Campuses, University of Oregon, University of Arizona, University of Washington, Boise State University, Northern Arizona University, and Colorado State University.
graduating seniors and attendees stand for a moment of silence during the Saugus High Graduation ceremony held at College of the Canyons on Thursday, 060321. Dan Watson/The signal
Graduating seniors walk into find their seats during the Saugus High Graduation ceremony held at College of the Canyons on Thursday, 060321. Dan Watson/The Signal
Graduating seniors walk into find their seats during the Saugus High Graduation ceremony held at College of the Canyons on Thursday, 060321. Dan Watson/The Signal
Hundreds of Firefighters stand for the National Anthem in the stands during the Saugus High School Graduation at College of the Canyons on Thursday. 060321. Dan Watson/The signal
The Washington Post has released its annual rankings of America’s most challenging high schools with Hart and Saugus High Schools making the list. Only 12 percent of all American high schools, public and private, qualified for the list.
Saugus High School administrators sent students home early Wednesday afternoon after repairs on a water leak accidentally cut off the water supply to the school, but classes will resume as usual Thursday morning.
Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a windblown dust and ash advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m.
Ahead of another forecasted Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning and extreme fire weather, Los Angeles County is asking the public to prepare.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced the appointment of Michael Gennaco as Special Prosecutor who is among the nation’s foremost experts in civil rights and police misconduct cases.
In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the county of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control has mobilized its resources and partnerships to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals affected.
The WiSH Education Foundation Wednesday Webinar series continues 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 with "College Admissions for Visual and Performing Arts Majors."
A Better World Running will host the Cupid Dash 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at West Creek Park 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354.
The Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs will resume normal operations at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall (1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90015) on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a windblown dust and ash advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m.
The Master's University men's basketball defense stepped up in the final moments of the game to get an 80-72 conference road win over Benedictine Mesa Thursday night, Jan. 16.
Three different players each scored 17 points and the team shot nearly 50 percent from the field as The Master's University women's basketball team defeated Benedictine Mesa 83-71 Thursday night, Jan. 16 in Mesa, Ariz.
College of the Canyons men's basketball had four players reach double-digits but it wasn't enough to keep pace with No. 5 state-ranked Citrus College in a 111-77 road affair Wednesday night, Jan. 15.
College of the Canyons women's basketball is still looking for its first conference victory after its 75-54 road loss at Citrus College on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Ahead of another forecasted Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning and extreme fire weather, Los Angeles County is asking the public to prepare.
Fritz Coleman’s show "Unassisted Living," in Residency at the El Oortal Monroe Forum in North Hollywood, will be performed on Sunday, Jan. 26 t0 benefit the California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund with 100% of all profits raised donated to the fund.
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 3 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau continues its dedicated efforts to locate individuals reported missing following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Jordan Meraz as the new Director of Technology Services.
The American Red Cross is offering financial assistance for families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Los Angeles County wildfires. Assistance available to those affected by Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Kenneth fires.
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have reported that containment efforts continue for all three activie fires still burning in Southern California.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.