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• Electric utility's credit rating gets a boost

• Pedestrian killed on 99 near Jahant Road

• Same-day Dial-A-Ride fares to double June 1

• Galt High shows Warrior pride as they get diplomas

• Galt High valedictorian Ashley Tiapon excited about early start to career in medicine

• Galt High's top graduates

• Rough road for many at Liberty, but the journey has united them

• Liberty High top graduates

• Regional Roundup

• Family has four generations graduate from Galt High

February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

• Locals pick best, most memorable Super Bowl commercials

• Regional Roundup

February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

• Meet Larry, Curly and Moe

• Baboon business

• Regional Roundup

• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

• Lodi Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community

• Culinary craft

February 5th, 2010

• Kids, teachers help Haiti by collecting pennies for Learning Link

• Lodi, Galt students reach out to help Haiti earthquake survivors

• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam

• Hours of sweat and work go into putting on crab feeds

• Things looking up for state's real estate

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

• Lodi extends ban on pot shops for another year

• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

• Family, friends to run half-marathon in memory of Galt family

February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

• Galt City Council avoids budget cuts — for now

• New Lodi Memorial Hospital emergency room opens to the public without a hitch

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Former Lodian Erica Davis is first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro

• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

• Patients can expect faster, better service when Lodi Memorial Hospital's new emergency room opens

• Man killed by Amtrak train in Lodi

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (69)
• President Obama's first year (67)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (32)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (32)
• We need to conduct respectful conversations (30)

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Galt High shows Warrior pride as they get diplomas

The largest graduating class in Galt High history — 437 — whooped it up as they received their diplomas on a blustery night Thursday at Warriors Stadium.

Graduates were draped in a sea of red, some wearing sunglasses, others wearing Hawaiian leis and even one wearing a "lei" of cold-hard cash as they walked down the aisle.

"Your dreams will come true if only you have courage to follow them," Valedictorian Ashley Tiapon told her classmates during her address.

The festivities began on a somber note, as Student Body Vice President Cole Rasmussen requested a moment of silence for two of their classmates, Aaron Brooks and Eddie Leon, who died way before their time.

But generally, it was a joyous occasion. Ronald Halas had a second reason to celebrate after the ceremony was over.

"Lakers won!" Halas screamed at the top of his lungs. "They're going to the finals! Now it's safe and sober night, and I'm going to have a blast."

Some graduates parading on a stage with several Greek-style columns had their caps fly off, and one of the five Olympic rings on the graduation set broke off due to the wind.

In her valedictorian speech, Tiapon noted that the senior class completed 113,880 hours to get through their four years of high school. She also focused on maturing as an individual as important or more so than learning in the classroom.

"High school was about maturing, about learning who you are, who your friends are and the type of people you want as friends," Tiapon said. "It was about learning that people probably like you a whole lot better than they'll ever tell you, and it's your responsibility to make sure your friends know just how much you appreciate them."

Senior class officers Terry Lanza and Kaio Doxey announced the class gift — money to present a program called "Breaking Down the Walls, " which is intended to break down racial barriers, starting next year. As a second class gift, the senior class will send 10 needy seniors to Paramount Great America in Santa Clara.

Two special awards were announced on graduation night. Salutatorian Eliseo Esparza received the Audrey O. Reed Award, named after a head counselor who served at Galt High in the 1950s and '60s. And Tiara Temple received the Citizenship Award.

Graduating senior Anthony Santistevan wore a lei around his neck with a bunch of $1 and $2 bills, plus some change as one of the more unusual apparel. It was made by his mom's friend.

"I think it's just under $50," said Santistevan, who plans to attend University of California, Davis. "It'll pay for half a textbook."

The ceremony ended with a fireworks display as graduates exchanged hugs and talked on their cell phones.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Galt High awards

Air Force Math and Science Award