High School at Moorpark College Class of 2011 Graduates

Parents, grandparents, friends, extended family and supporters filed down the steep steps of the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Thursday in order to get the best view as the High School at Moorpark College class of 2011 graduated.

As the traditional Pomp and Circumstance March began to play and all 46 graduates entered the theatre. To mark the beginning of the ceremony, Principal Pat Birckhead welcomed the audience and students.

“You chose to take college classes while in High School, and for that I congratulate you on your bravery,” she said.

Following Birckhead, student Samantha Sheveland sang The Star-Spangled Banner and Moorpark College President Dr. Pam Eddinger, Moorpark Unified School District Superintendent Teresa Williams, and Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees Member Dr. Larry O. Miller also bid their welcomes.

“I always think: What am I going to say to a group of people that aren’t listening and probably stoned,” said Miller to the students, who laughed in response.

Keynote speaker, alumna Kelsey Dickson, who graduated with the class of 2003, spoke of HSMC being a place of acceptance for her and she imagined that some of the current students were likely drawn to the school for the same reasoning. The school’s welcoming acceptance of the unconventional was a theme student speakers Kevin Barbagallo and Jacqueline Kaden repeated when they addressed their classmates.

“There was no prom king and queen because we were all kings and queens,” Dickson said.

During the ceremony, students Kayla Erin Kelley and Branson Alexander Brown were recognized for their exceptional behavior while at The High School at Moorpark College with an American Legion award.

Students Ashley Cavasino and Branson Brown performed an original rap about the class and Haley Galvan and Emma Landvatter then performed a song from the Broadway musical “Wicked:” “For Good.”

“Because I knew you, I have been changed for good,” they sang.

Finally, when the diplomas were distributed, tassels switched sides, and caps thrown, horns balered and mothers grabbed for tissues while the now graduated class of 2011 went around congratulating one another.

“I’m excited and nervous. This is a big step, a totally different stage in life,” said new graduate Briana Landavazo.

Following is a list of the High School at Moorpark College 2011 graduates:

Mackenzie Bryce Alsip

Blake Robert Austin

Andrew Jay Bagley

Kevin Lemm Barbagallo

Crystal Michelle Becerra

Amanda Michelle Bourdeaux

Branson Alexander Brown

Breanne Mary Carrillo

Ashley Lydia Cavasino

Kelli Brooke Dunkin

Evelyn Elizabeth Epstein

Meagan Alysse Freeman

Haley Marie Galvan

David Nikolas Granirer

Sarah Lynn Hernandez

Jocelyn Marina Johnson

Jacqueline Molly Kaden

Taylor Joyce Kaloi

Kayla Erin Kelley

Marlena Ann Kurtz

Erin Rose Lacour

Casey Lafferty

Briana Alice Landavazo

Emma Kai Landvatter

Rachel Anne-Marie Malsy

Jerome Joseph Manion

Brittany Amber Marberry

John Thomas Marrin IV

Riley Wynn McGuire

Stefany Desire Mena

Alexis Raquel Miller

Nathan Joseph Northrup

Angelina Marie Palumbo

Hannah Kaylee Peacock

Benjamin Joseph Piccus

Kaylyn Noel Roach

Cari Marisa Rodriguez

Joshua Matthew Rosen

Samantha Lyn Sheveland

Luca Gabriel Simplicio

Christopher Brett-Antonacci Sultzer

Bianca Swanepoel

Cecilia Lynette Trujillo

Bradley Taylor VonFeldt

Olivia Yvonne Wilber

Mitchell Blair Williams

Kimberly Yom