Visit our other special sections

Record 157 earn honor of graduating at Liberty

By Corey S. Koshman
News-Sentinel staff writer

For Liberty High School, Thursday was a day of jubilation as 157 students — more than any class in the past — received their diplomas.

Family members, teachers and friends filled Hutchins Street Square with flowers, gifts and balloon bouquets in hand to see the final step for what was a rocky path for some.

Liberty High School graduates celebrate. (Click on the photo to view a larger version.)

Donning light blue cap and gowns Thursday, many students said they’re looking ahead toward college.

For example, graduate Daymond Geer hopes to become a high school history teacher. His inspiration came from teachers Pam Marshall and David Johnson.

“They encouraged me to say, ‘I can do it.’ They said, ‘keep your head up, no matter what,’ ” Geer said.

Graduate Neelofar Awan dreams of becoming a pediatrician or nurse while Danielle Costa said she will attend the nursing program at San Joaquin Delta College. Awan and Costa both said getting their diplomas are a big part in getting a good job.

Geer and other graduates of Liberty High, a continuation school, said they will miss the friends that they have found in high school. Making friendships and contacts out in the real world, said Geer, is going to be different. You grow attached to the friends here, he said.

Graduation is the pay off for the whole year, said Pat Sharrock, a Liberty High School attendance adviser. She has attended 15 Liberty graduations.

“This is it. This is what it is all about,” she said of this year’s commemoration.

Principal Robert Rivas said he is proud of the 2001 graduating class.

“They can now say, ‘I finished,’ ” Rivas said. “We pushed them not to give up, to follow through. They’ve made it, and it is such a good feeling.”

Parents of graduates have approached Rivas and other members of the faculty to thank them for the work that they do at Liberty. The teachers fully believe in the kids and the kids know it, Rivas said.

The commencement speech was given by John A. Torres, special agent in charge of the San Francisco Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, who spent a day two months ago as the honorary principal. Torres shares traits in common with the students and felt his presence was a testimony that hard work pays off. Dreams do come true, he said.

“There are many roads that lead to a path of success,” he said. “Go out, work hard and succeed.”

Rivas reminded students that when some arrived at Liberty they believed they were at a dead-end but have now found the door to a “new world of choices, pathways and experiences,” he said. He asked students to compare who they were when they arrived with who they were today.

“The reputation at Liberty High School is just that, a reputation,” said student speaker Chad Hixon, who received two scholarships. “The experiences here have been more than I could have ever imagined.”

Tears and smiles, balloon bouquets, floral wraps, hugs and kisses were in abundance by family members and friends as graduates received their diplomas.

Lodinews Home | News | Sports | Business | Features
Opinion | Obituaries | Classifieds | Archives

SUBSCRIBE TO THE LODI NEWS-SENTINEL

Please report any errors, omissions or changes to the Webmaster.

Comments about this story or the “Class of 2001” series are welcome.