Class of 2007

Estrellita sends 34 grads into the world

A crowd of nearly 200 parents, relatives and friends exploded into applause Wednesday night as the lights dimmed and students in green robes swayed into Littleton Community Center's auditorium, the site of the night's commencement ceremony for Estrellita High School, Galt's continuation school.

While "Pomp and Circumstance" blared through the speakers, the students took their places on a stage framed with white Christmas lights.

Principal Antonio Lara, the first to take the microphone, spoke about a subject many of the 34 soon-to-be graduates had been already well-versed in, overcoming adversity and reaching one's goals with help from others. "You have us to support you any time you need us," Lara said.

That support, mixed with student determination, became a theme that echoed again and again throughout the ceremony.

During the award and scholarship section of the ceremony, presenters paid tribute to the hard-working students, who sometimes balanced their lives as parents with their studies.

"We were quite frankly stunned at her desire to succeed," said David Herburger from the Galt Chamber of Commerce upon presenting a $500 scholarship to Angela Wipfli.

Wipfli, 20, the mother of 10-month-old Alina Barron, came back to school after an absence and now plans to become a medical assistant and eventually a nurse.

"She fought off adversity and faced it with a lot of courage," Angela's father, Michael Wipfli, beamed. "She did a 360 with her life."

Wipfli was joined by many other Estrellita students at the awards podium. Amid the applause audience members shouted, "That's my sister" or "That's my cousin," over the noise of the crowd

While recognizing student Andreina Contreras, 18, teacher Kim Wilson recalled the time Contreras told her that she just couldn't make it with all the stuff going on in her life.

"We're Estrellita," Wilson told her. "We're going to help you."

"I asked her to give us a little bit and she gave us so much more," Wilson said.

Contreras, the proud mother of 16-month-old Isaac Contreras, will attend Heald College to pursue a career in dermatology or criminal justice.

She credits her son with giving her the motivation to come to school every day.

The most touching moment of the night came when the seniors were invited to the podium to speak.

Many thanked family and friends, without whom they might never had made it, but Michael Parker put a different twist on his gratitude.

"I want to thank everybody who thought I couldn't do it," Parker said. "Thanks for giving me someone to prove wrong."

Many also thanked teachers and administrators for sticking with them through the hard times.

"Thanks to Mr. Lara for giving me so many chances after I've given him so many troubles," laughed senior Jessica Frias.

Senior Adam Ferris thanked math teacher Brendan Moore for giving him a reason to go to school, even though he hated it.

Moore, who sported a green mohawk and a suit to the ceremony — a deal he made with senior Austin Tackett, who donned a matching hairstyle — said he was humbled to hear so much praise from students.

Moore said that when he first came to Estrellita he was fooled by the stigma that surrounds so many continuation schools, but now he insists that it's one of best moves he ever made.

"There's something positive that happens every day at Estrellita," Moore said.

After awards, "thank-you's," and a short video of the seniors, Lara handed out diplomas to the graduates.

"Turn your tassels to the right," he said.

One could barely hear him present the class of 2007 over the roar of the crowd.

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.