The Tokay High School Class of 2008 file into their seats as the crowd, full of friends and family, cheers. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Last but not least: Tokay graduates two weeks late

Through mold, construction and what may have seemed like constant uncertainty, the staff and students at Tokay High School persevered to graduate a class of nearly 400 students.

"To say the least it's been and very interesting year at Tokay High School," said Principal Erik Sandstrom, before modeling what had become the school's standard dress code, a white construction hat decorated with a purple paw.

Tokay High started the school year five weeks late after construction workers found mold in every classroom building in June of last year.

Sandstrom compared Tokay High's senior class to a massive building project, full of obstacles and roadblocks, but ultimately successful.

"The road to success is always under construction," Sandstrom said, quoting actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin before delving into several other mold-related puns.

High temperatures kept the seniors sweating in their robes and interrupted Student Body President Trent Cunningham's speech, when the plastic coverings his speech was stored in melted together, causing him to lose his place.

"I think I'm missing a page. That's not good," he said searching for his place. "I got an extra copy. Don't worry," he said as he pulled folded pieces of paper out of his pocket.

"We prepare them so well they got the back up plan right in their pocket," Sandstrom said after Cunningham finished.

Senior Class President Kelley Douglas opened her speech with a warning: Beware of tears.

"I cry all the time, when I'm happy, when I'm sad. I get it from my mom, whose probably crying right now," she said.

Douglas made good on her promise after reflecting on the times she spent with her classmates.

Tokay High's staff broke diploma presentations into two chunks, giving the audience a break in the name-calling.

Gripping their diplomas, the new graduates waved to family members in the crowd with ear-to-ear grins.

Some stopped to hug nearby teachers.

One of those students was Abraham Espinosa, who wrapped his long arms around his favorite teacher Mary Ward. Ward stroked Espinosa's cheek as if to savor the moment.

Later Ward said a lot of the students at Tokay High are like kids of her own, including Espinosa.

"I've dragged him through, and he's been so much fun," she said. "He could have some way else, and he went this way."

Diploma presentations paused for valedictorian Lee Kraljev's speech, a journey through the classes four years of high school.

As freshmen, she said, the class was transfixed on two things: looking cool and Justin Timberlake.

During their last year, she said, the class of 2008 still had two things on their mind: getting out of school and Justin Timberlake.

"Yeah, he's still sexy," Kraljev said.

Kraljev peppered her speech with original metaphors — shocked like a baby eating "its first salt-and-vinegar chip" — and faux delusions of grandeur, and closed it with a quote from Dwight Schrute, "The Office's" quirky character with bouts of real arrogance.

"We must never acquiesce because it is together that we will prevail," she said.

Douglas presented teacher Joe Johnson with the senior class selection for teacher of the year. Johnson also won the Tokay High's schoolwide teacher of the year award earlier in the night.

Johnson slipped away without saying a word when accepting his first award, but the students wouldn't let it happen twice.

"Speech, speech," they clamored.

"I can't believe these guys want to hear more from me than they already have," he joked, before emphasizing that Tokay High's rough year had also been full of fun.

The second round of diploma handouts were filled with deep bellows and shrill screams from proud family members and friends.

Seniors Amanda Knox and Douglas' inspiring performance of "For Good" from the musical "Wicked" earned the pair a standing ovation.

Sandstrom ended the night with bit of business, declaring the class officially graduated from Tokay High School.

"And, yes," Sandstrom said, "Lodi Unified always saves the best for last."

Tokay High School Awards

Bank of America Awards — Certificate