Class of 2007

A night of smiles, tears for Tokay high graduates

Lodi's Grape Bowl filled with gowns, mortarboards, friends, family, balloons, tears and grins Friday night as Tokay High School's class of 2007 said goodbye to a year marked with triumph and tragedy.

The seniors marched in from the back parking lot in white and purple robes to a crowd so filled with anticipation that they burst into applause a few times before the future graduates ever made it to their seats.

The seniors, who until then had concentrated on getting to their seats, threw their hands in the air and danced.

After arriving at their seats, senior Arielle Allen belted out the "Star Spangled Banner" and principal Erik Sandstrom took the podium to offer some words to the graduates.

As Sandstrom pointed out, one seat remained vacant that evening. The seat of Nasherwan Ahmad, a Tokay senior who was killed in a car accident earlier this year along with two other students, was draped with a purple gown and flowers.

Later, during the presentation of diplomas, when Ahmad's name was called along with the rest of the seniors, the entire class paused to clap for their fallen classmate.

During his speech, Sandstrom took time to honor the members Tokay also lost that year — Steve Hubbard, Jamie Holcomb and Bob Dinkel — but also made sure to count the school's successes over the past year.

After recalling the past, Sandstrom offered words of advice for the future.

"If at first you don't succeed do what your mother told you," Sandstrom said.

Student body president Nicole Shimozaki followed Sandstrom turn at the mic by quoting Dr. Suess' graduation-gift classic "The Places You'll Go."

Despite a slight cold, Shimozaki squeaked through her speech, recounting the classes new-found freedoms — "It was the last time we had to hide our cell phones" — as well as celebrating their accomplishments — "We are a class of doers."

The speeches were followed with the diploma presentation, which was broken up into three sections.

Graduates grabbed their diplomas in style.

Senior Drew Smith tore off his gown after receiving his diploma and swung it around his head in a mock striptease, a move he had planned prior to the ceremony.

"I think we shouldn't have a dress code," Smith said while waiting for the ceremony to begin. "I think you should be allowed to expose yourself and proclaim your freedom."

Senior Matt Wilson paused after fetching his diploma to jump in the air and strike a rock star pose, followed by a double thumbs up to the camera.

The presentation of the diploma's was broken up by Anhthu Do's valedictorian speech, which stressed the great diversity of the class of 2007, but reminded the members of the common experiences they shared.

Anhthu marked her theme of diversity by excusing herself to say few words to her parents in Vietnamese. Her fellow graduates cheered in support.

After a second round of diploma presentations, vice principal Martha Dent presented senior Lauren Ishii with a special recognition award, in one of the most moving moments of the night.

Ishii, who spent a significant part of her senior year in the hospital after being diagnosed with Leukemia, beamed shyly from her front row seat as Dent recounted how Ishii spent two months in isolation in the hospital and still managed to do her homework.

"All of that and I never heard her complain once," Dent said.

During the next break, senior Marion Barroga serenaded his class with "The World's Greatest." Graduates stood on their chairs, swayed and clapped their hands as Barroga sang lyrics that struck pride into the hearts of all present.

"If anybody asks you who I am, just stand up tall, look 'em in the face and say ... I'm the world's greatest."

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.