A Glorious Graduation Week for the High School District

More than 1,000 bright high school students with promising futures from the attended their commencement ceremonies this past week.

From Redwood High School, graduates "went through hell to get to heaven," said Valedictorian JaShawna McGehee. But they beat the odds and proved to the non-believers that they could pull themselves up and .

At Sequoia High School, students--from the Valedictorians to the first in their school to graduate-- were . This was the first Sequoia High School class that stayed all four years "before we became a popular school to attend," said Principal Bonnie Hansen. "For that, they will always have a special place in my heart. Before the presentation of diplomas, Hansen personally called out individual students for their impressive accomplishments.

At Woodside High School, 365 proud seniors in front of their friends and family. Valedictorian LeeAnn Patrick said she knows that everyone from her class would be successful because they all went through the experience together. From UC Berkeley to the Military to San Jose State, the seniors will be scattering all across the country.

Carlmont High celebrated its 57th Commencement by their coveted diplomas. “Let the marathon begin!” shouted 2011 Carlmont Salutatorian Jhoong Roh shouted "Let the marathon begin!" reminding his class that "This is a beginning, not an end." Roh told his fellow classmates the future will be a marathon, and reminded them of the skills they’ve learned to succeed.

At Menlo-Atherton High, the 60th annual commencement ceremony led . Graduation speaker Rebecca Strehlow said she and her fellow classmates would just be "tossed into the world that awaits us. We will dive."