Celebratory Mood Marks Beverly Hills High School Graduation

Beverly Hills High School seniors received diplomas Friday morning before a sea of balloons, congratulatory signs and loved ones.

School choir groups performing upbeat numbers such as "Joyful, Joyful" from Sister Act 2 offered melodic transitions between commencement speeches. In his presentation of the class, Principal Carter Paysinger called upon the graduates to remain open to possibilities.

“Take each step in the journey as it comes,” Paysinger said.

After throwing hats enthusiastically into the sky and coordinating the lifting of arms in a classwide “wave,” graduates exited the stands to greet those in attendence with a mass of hugs, congratulations and flowers.

Smiling broadly, graduate Tamar Rotstein gestured to the band students playing background music.

 “I played for the band, I can remember freshman year … wishing it was me up there,” Rotstein said. “It’s beyond real.”

Graduate Julie Kim was greeted by her family with balloons in the shape of a smiley face and a character from the Disney movie Cars.

“It was refreshing,” Kim said of graduating.

Math teacher John Borsum sat in the stands with the students. After 34 years at BHHS, he has seen his share of graduation ceremonies.

“I feel like I know some students better than typically,” Borsum said, describing the class as “very mature, responsible and polite.”

Reaching the end of her high school career, graduate Amanda Bercovitch said the felt relieved. 

“She has really blossomed here,” said her mother, Joelle Bercovitch. 

For some graduates, the process of looking ahead to the next step was under way. 

"It feels great, but I'm already ready to move on to the next chapter," said Greg Townsend, who will be playing football for USC in the fall. "I'm so happy to have known such a great group of people."

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