Liberty High School graduates switch their tassels from the right side to the left on Thursday during their graduation ceremony. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)

Graduation marks major milestone for Liberty High students

Liberty High School's graduation ceremony was held Thursday morning — just a block away at Hutchins Street Square.

But for many of the continuation school's 112 graduating seniors, the trek to the square's outdoor stage often seemed like an endless journey.

By working to support her family, hanging out with the wrong friends and missing classes at Tokay High School, Araceli Quintero thought she'd blown any chance to complete school.

That is, until she enrolled at Liberty.

"I thought I wasn't going to make it — I thought I would work in the fields like my parents," said Quintero, moments after receiving her certificate of achievement, in front of hundreds of proud parents, friends and educators supporting the class of 2007.

Like many of the school's graduates, Quintero is headed for a brighter future after struggling to stay enrolled at Lodi's traditional high schools.

In her case, Quintero will attend San Joaquin Delta College this fall. She hopes to pursue a career in accounting or medicine.

Liberty High Principal Robert Rivas encouraged all the students to build on their accomplishments.

"Graduates, we know how far each of you have come ... the many hardships you have endured," he told them. "Pay attention to what you have done for yourselves. Recognize that you really have control of your success."

Liberty, which includes the Independence School and an adult education program, provides a more flexible schedule for students who have struggled to keep up with the structure of traditional schools.

Some of Liberty's students complete their assignments at home. Others spend only a few hours at the school each day.

Mike Nichols of Lodi said that flexibility helped his niece, Kaela Wagner, succeed at Liberty.

"It has been a little bit of a struggle," he said of her prior time at Lodi High School. "She needed an independent schedule."

Several of Liberty's students, including Quintero and Diego Chavez, became the first in their family to graduate.

"Very proud," is how Maria Pena, Chavez' mother, described her emotions Thursday. Chavez stood nearby, clutching his diploma.

"It was just a big relief after all the hard work, after the four years," he said. The 18-year-old plans to enroll at Heald College in Stockton and pursue a career as a computer technician.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.