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Commencement speakerslookwithM»»By STEVE PAPINCHAK Daily Report Staff Writer What is the mood of the class of 1976? What aspirations are possessed by the 2.250 students who were graduated Wednesday at ceremonies conducted at Chaffey Union High School District campuses9 One indicator of the mood, aspirations and personality of this year’s graduating class is the student speeches delivered Wednesday at Chaffey, Alta Loma, Upland. Montclair and Ontario high schools.Copies of the 11 student speeches that were provided to The Daily Report could be used to conclude this year’s graduating class is a relatively satisfied, optimistic group of young adults.The speeches delivered at the five high schools often referred to the natural human potential — which fellow graduates were urged to fully develop Reflections on the high school years were usually expressed as a series of fond memories The future was often viewed as a challenge, but not a struggle In most cases, student speakers reflected optimistically on their upcoming years The conflict — and often anger — of the 60 s certainlyis not apparent in the class of 1976 Also absent was the protest expressed by two studentsat last year’s graduation ceremonies, when one seniorclass president criticized an education system that * bredirresponsibility, encourgaged mediocrity and hascondoned a lack of personal integrity.Excerpt* of the student speeches delivered Wednesdayare as followsUplandRichard Farnham, Upland High School class valedictorian, spoke out against what be viewed as a growing trend of apathy Since America was built by people who cared and questioned authority, this country “can t afford to tolerate the a pa this t if it is to survive, he said.The Upland graduation ceremony was conducted in anorderly manner without the disruptions that marredgraduation activities in recent years Farnham noted the 1976 graduating class would not have had a traditional commencement program had students not cared enough to convince the administration the graduating class could act responsibly “The administration finally decided that we were sincere in our efforts, and that we were willing to work for this graduation “That is why we are having commencement out here tonight: because many of the graduates, instead of becoming apathetic, questioned the situation they were in, and saw the change occur,” Farnham said.ChaffeyJoseph D. Graff Jr., one of the three senior class speakers selected by students and administrators, said our country was founded on a family concept “No man is an island unto himself.. Indeed we are bom into a family and our entire life is a progression of family living“We have experienced family ties at home, in our churches, and through our schools. Now as graduates, we will take our places in the complex and challengingfamilies of the community, and our nation, which is themost important part of the family of the world,’’ GraffKevin Neff, another Chaffey student speaker, asked fellow graduates “Are you really glad its over?” “Granted there are many reasons to be glad that It i high school) is finally over, because it was by no meansall fun,” Neff said. He added that, because of grades and sometimes-difficult classes, “at one time or another we have worried whether we were going to make it heretfliight,” H » H ifAnd in a sensitive admission Neff said social situationsThree Chaffey High School students were among the 11 graduating seniors to give addresses during commencement programs Wednesday atfive high schools Susan D. Johnson, left; Kevin*in high school were also a challenge. “There have been some young ladies that have shaken me up more than any poor grades ever did.”But, he concluded that the future years “won’t quite be the same as the juvenile enthusiasm we enjoyed in high school There won’t be many more opportunities to let yourself go and just have a great time without worrying about the consequences ”Instead, he added, “We will start to enjoy a mature kind of enthusiasm after tonight — one that is suppressedso as to not lose face.”Susan D. Johnson, the first Chaffey student to address the 730-member graduating class, traced the history of her alma mater, which was founded in 1904 by GeorgeChaffey _She noted the many changes in character the campus has undergone because of a growing student body, enlarged faculty and social transformations.Fast eras at Chaffey have been remembered by bobby socks, the popularity of clubs like the Future Farmers of America and well-chaperoned social events “1 wonder what people will think when they look back on our graduating class?” Miss Johnson pondered.“They will probably say that the class of 1976 brought with it a more relaxed atmosphere to school Almost anything in the way of styles was accepted — tight curly hair, long hair, short hair ... jeans, dresses of anyNeff, center, and Joseph Graff gave speeches that reflected on fond high school memories and conveyed a mood of optimism More photos, Page 11. (Daily Report photo by Craig Swanson)length ”Alta LomaRosemarie Corona, salutatorian, said, “High school is the foundation from which we are to base the rest of our lives And with this foundation it is our choice to fashion our lives as either strong sturdy buildings or piles of rubble ,.“It is the people who accept their challenges in life and accept their responsibilities who will be our future buildings And it is tho^e who shirk their responsibilities, beliefs and pass the buck who will be the piles of rubble Miss Corona urged fellow graduates to not “give up beliefs simply because they are not in fine with that ofnit majority.” §»; i| '“What would we have done if Columbus had believed, like the majority, that the world was flat? Or where would we be if our forefathers, like the majority, hadbelieved that a democracy such as ours couldn’t survive9,” Miss Corona asked Shariene Land, class valedictorian, said, “We must keep dreaming for that is the only way to make ourdreams come true Everything we see today was once just a dream of our ancestors So we must keep ondreaming ..Dreaming the impossible dream, for in doing so, we will make the world a better place for future generations“Other people can greatly influence our lives, but weare the ones that must live them. We must dream our own dreams and strive to reach our own goals,” she saidOntarioJennifer Dillon, class valedictorian, said education goes beyond the three R's.She said high school has also provided an education in “life fundamentals, which are natural lessons learned through time, patience and association with people.” Furthermore. Miss Dillon said successful persons have three characteristics — “self sufficiency, confidence and sticktoitiveness ”“These three traits are present in almost everyone that takes on any kind of a challenge They must have confidence to being in the first place, strength of character to continue and determination to push it to the finish. she said Cheryl Brown, class salutatorian, noted that she was selected to address the graduating seniors because she had earned the second highest grade point average among all graduating seniors *But what about graduates who have talents other than those reflected in an exceptionally high* grade pointagerage, she asked . .“I know quite a few graduated who have musical abilities, artistic abilities, a sense of humor, athletic abilities — people who have made school just a heck of a lot more fun and worthwhile Miss Brown said “There is a heck of a lot of potential in this class and it will be very interesting to see how each person puts it to use ’ she noted.MontclairLinda L. Palmer, co-valedictorian, paid tribute to the graduation ceremony.“I feel our graduation ceremony should be one which brings honor to us as we complete our high school careers It is a ceremony of appreciation for the meaning of the completion of a high school education, not only for the graduates but their parents, counselors and teachers “The ceremony is not to be laughed at or made fun of This is our last time to be together. For may of us, it is our last time to see each other, So let’s make this ceremony a happy one to look back on and remember ” Ann Dittmer, eo-valedictorian, said, ‘‘Tbe knowledge each individual has acquired (in this high school) varies not only in content hut in the ways in which it was obtained... The academic, athletic, leadership, vocational and fine arts programs have revealed to us the most vital and essential knowledge for life, to know one’s self, and to reason with and relate to others “The knowledge we have and shall continue to acquire concerning ourselves and others is valuable only when channeled to enrich man’s daily existence; for knowledge is worthless unless converted into wisdom and common sense application to life Debra Fagan, salutatorian, noted that in this Bicentennial year “it seems fitting that we, the graduating class of 1976, should look hack at our achievements over the past four years.”She listed a number of student accomplishmentsMany of these achievements were made by women likeMichelle Thompson, the first Montclair girl to earn a varsity letter, Kim Abrego, selected the outstanding freshman musician and later the first woman bandpresident in the school's 17 year history, and Darlene Bryan, first girl drum major in the last 10 years She alsonoted the athletic accomplishments of male students including Mike Harbottie, who finished his high schoolcareer as the holder of 16 school records.“Academically, this year’s senior class has accumulated 126,500 ui college scholarships and 20 goldseals ..“All the parents here today should feel proud of each of us, and more importantly, each of us should be proud ofourselves.” Miss Faaan concluded
Newspaper Details
Ontario Daily Report
Ontario, California, US
Thu, Jun 10, 1976
Page 9
Full Page
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CA, USA 23 Feb 2020
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