Graduation at New Horizons High School - - a Moving Experience

I attended the commencement of the Class of 2011 at Nicolet Middle School on June 1, 2011. It was not a middle school graduation; it was appreciation to those 42 “walking” (down the aisle) graduates of the Banning Adult School. In fact, nearly 100 will graduate by the end of June.

I was proud to volunteer with fellow members of the San Gorgonio Pass Rotary club as ushers. Our Rotary, through the leadership of Art Welch, has served as mentors for the Junior Achievement Program. One of the reasons I became a writer was because I hated public speaking and for the record, I still do! It has been through this Junior Achievement program that I am learning to come out of my shell. It’s about time; I’m going to be 68 in September!

I hope the Junior Achievement program has brought as much to the students as it has to me. Other than a beautifully designed, hands on program, it has given me the opportunity to work and interact with fellow Rotarians.

Dean of Students of New Horizons Continuation School Lynn Tracadas is an perennial cheerleader for faculty, students and volunteers. She lives, breathes and supports all of the people who come through the Banning Alternative Education Program. As it was explained to me several years ago by a former administrator, these young people are not criminals, they are credit deficient.

These are not kids attending New Horizons Continuation School; they are those over the age of 18 who want to finish high school with a diploma. Tracadas explained how difficult it is for foreign born students to earn their way to a diploma. She said that many countries will not release the records for students, so college graduates often go through an adult education school to achieve some kind of paper trail, enabling them to continue their education; including receiving credit for their prior academic education.

While many people find their way to New Horizons in their junior or senior years, school counselor Daniel Cobb points out that much of the trouble begins in the ninth grade when the full weight of being in high school becomes apparent.

Riverside County Superior Court Family Law Judge Irma Poole Asberry was the speaker. While she acknowledged the dignitaries in the auditorium, she directed her remarks to those about to achieve their diplomas. She faced them and reminded each proud person dressed in a cap and gown to say: “I am a success. I am an achiever.”

Having the full attention of the audience, she presented a series of quotes, including one from Abraham Lincoln, “Whatever you are…. Be good at it.”

Instructor, Roman Aja, introduced each graduate, with stunning applause for each one. Mr. Aja called upon several of the graduates to come forward with their reflections. Each person who approached the podium gave appreciation to any or all of the following: God, mom, family, daughter, teachers, grandma (Rest in Peace) and “anyone who ever believed in me.”

As the commencement ended, I was impressed by the variety and diversity of the graduating class and the audience that was there to support them. Our world changes on a daily basis and it is tough to figure out how to put the pieces together and make the ends meet. Education is the tool to make dreams recognizable.

Of all the dedications I have ever read, I found this attributed to an old Armenian proverb (unknown): “The mouse dreams dreams, that would terrify the cat.”

I have every expectation that members of the Banning Adult School Class of 2011 can succeed.