Schools
Photo Gallery: Commencement Day at Logan
Speeches, diplomas, pomp and circumstance—all of the ingredients were ripe for the James Logan High School class of 2011's graduation ceremony.
More than 860 seniors are ready to embark onto the next chapter of their lives after receiving their diplomas Saturday morning.
“This is such a great class,” Logan principal Amy McNamara said after the ceremony. “They’ve been an absolute joy … some years, you don’t get to say that about senior classes.”
McNamara noted that the class of 2011 students demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.
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When word spread earlier this year of pending budget cuts, many seniors stepped up for their underclassmen who would experience the impact of the cuts in the coming school year. Seniors participated in fundraising efforts, campaigned for Measure B and organized a student rally in support of extracurricular programs.
As is business as usual for Logan, a number of graduates received scholarships for their success in and outside of the classroom. Among them is Ciarra Brewer, who won a state championship in the triple jump earlier this year and received a full scholarship to the University of Florida.
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“We’ve had some academic heavy-hitters,” McNamara said.
Several students are going to prestigious colleges and universities across the country, including Amherst College, Dartmouth College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McNamara said. “We’re sending students to every UC and CSU, too,” she added.
Each year, the school presents a male and female student with the Seoane-James Memorial Award for overall achievement. Named after two seniors from Logan’s first graduating class who died in separate car crashes, the award is given to students who “represent the best that Logan has to offer,” McNamara said.
Ashraf Dahud and Diana Rosales were named the recipients of the award. Rosales, who also led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, will be attending MIT in the fall.
“This class is special, with students who are outstanding,” said New Haven Unified School District board member Michelle Matthews before joining other school leaders in presenting diplomas.
“Graduates, Logan is proud of you.”
Check out the highlights in the photo gallery above.
Share your memories of the JLHS Class of 2011 and add your own graduation photos to the gallery here, or send them via email to zoneil.maharaj@patch.com.