Graduating Terra Nova Seniors Toss Their Caps

Strains of Pomp and Circumstance filtered through cheers and whoops of joy from the crowd as seniors marched one last time onto Tiger Field for their graduation ceremony.

The bleachers were filled with parents, friends and family members, some shooting air horns and other clanking cow bells as the students filed to their seats.

Tom Minshew, principal of Terra Nova and Master of Ceremonies, opened with congratulations and his own memories of being a student at Terra Nova. The word “perseverance” peppered his speech and he invited students back to the school in the future, where he would allow them to park in the senior lot since its construction wont be completed until after this year. 

This graduation ceremony, out of all Terra Nova has had, was especially important: it was the school's 50th.

Valedictorian Christopher Wong spoke to the seniors between cheers from graduating friends and family. His speech was poignant, stressing the life lessons and memories he and his class members shared together. 

Cryptically, at the end of his speech, he concluded with, “Remember: Two Wongs do make a right!” to thunderous cheers.

All was made clear with Xavier Wong, Salutatorian, took the stage with thunderous applause and cheers from friends. Unrolling a long scroll, he opened his speech with, “I read fast.” 

He added, with much laughter, that he “had a horrible case of senioritis, so he only finished his speech four hours ago.”

On a more serious note, he reminisced about his years at Terra Nova, saying that he had worked very hard for this moment.

Many students received multiple honors. 40 students received "Outstanding" Honors, with grade point averages of 3.5 and above, and 70 students received Honors with a grade averages between 3.0 and 3.5.

12 students received the coveted Leadership Award, which required four years of honors classes completed. 

Over $150,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to graduating students, and 85% are headed to college.

Anoo Jassal, senior counselor at Terra Nova, announced the Outstanding Senior Student award, giving it to Isabel Clayter, Student Body president, and Erin Christ, Senior Class president. Minshew bestowed his own award, the Principal’s Award, to Josh Martin and Marie Lintner.

As names were called and each graduating student marched across the stage to receive his or her diploma, parents shook hands with other parents in congratulations and cheered for their kids.

A father, after standing and cheering for his daughter’s name, sat back down and wiped away tears. Smiling, he shook his head as he watched his daughter walk the stage, greet the faculty, and find her seat among her classmates.

One proud parent told me about his son, Seichi Matsu, and his plans to enter the military in a few weeks.

“He’s a tough kid, I’m very proud of him,” he said, and then added, indicating the cheering crowd, “Who isn’t proud here?”

The end of the ceremony was tense with hat-throwing anticipation. As the senior class was accepted by Minshew, hats flew high to air horns, applause, cow bells, and noise makers.

Good luck and congratulations, Terra Nova seniors!

See your graduate in the photos? Let us know in the comments. 

Download the movie