On Thursday August 2024 at 6:00 PM, the Anaheim Union High School district recognized 94 Alternative Ed. students as new graduates for the class of 2024. The event was held at the Kennedy Performing Art Center and the Kennedy High School band directed by Joshua Parsons who performed the processional, national anthem, and recessional. Erin Baek ambassadors welcomed guests in attendance where many family members, staff, teachers, and district personnel. Mr. Lara gave an inspiring message and presented the Class of 2024 to be certified by our AUHSD board president, Annemarie Randle-Trejo.
Before the awarding of diplomas, senior class speaker, Rubi Orozco Venegas delivered a powerful and touching message to her classmates. Below is the transcript of Rubi’s speech:
Ladies and gentlemen, faculty members, proud parents, and of course, my fellow graduates, my name is Rubi Orozco Venegas. Today, I’m graduating from Gilbert High School. It is an honor to be here today and to be able to celebrate this moment with all of you.
As graduates, we know this moment is truly special for us. I would like us all to take a deep breath, and now pat yourselves on the back, and realize this amazing accomplishment we’ve made means so much to us..
I would like to acknowledge all of your struggles. We have all been on a difficult journey through hardships and setbacks. My experience in high school was like a bumpy road that ends with a rainbow. My four years in high school taught me that I had to put in twice the work if I wanted to get anywhere, especially where I am standing today.
I knew things could be challenging sometimes, and deep down I would always listen to that negative voice in the back of my head, and 99% of the time that little voice would win. But once I realized it’s okay to ask for help, things changed. All those years I was so afraid to ask for help. When I was in a big class I was so scared that everyone would be looking at me, or if I responded with a wrong answer it wouldn’t make sense. I was living in fear.
Maybe it was hard for me, or I would let things get to me and I would stop trying; but I was relentless like my fellow graduates and didn’t give up. My experience at Gilbert changed me. I became more open, and I realized I could trust people again, like the special teachers here who really helped me and pushed me to finish.
I would like to take a moment (un momento) to honor our parents and families who supported us. My parents, I thank you for everything you were willing to give up for your children to make it here at one point in our lives. Para mi madre y padre les quiero decir gracias por el apoyo que me dieron durante todos esos años de estudiar. Les quiero dicir que los amo muncho y gracias por tener muncha paciencia con nosotros .
I would also like to thank my siblings for being my happiness and being there for me too. I love you all and would like to lovingly say, duermate!
A popular artist, J.Cole, once said, “It always rains the hardest on people who deserve the sun.” I know we all felt the storms of life were beating us down, but today the sun is shining.
As graduates here today, we may not be graduating with the same colors, or sharing the experience of the same story, or remembering memories with the same friends or classmates, but we did make it here, this is the rainbow, and I am beyond proud of every single person in this colorful room tonight.
Now I would like to say one last word to you all: live your life to the fullest and don’t look back! Class of 2024, we did it!
As you can see, it’s still quite amazing to graduate with your class even if it’s in the summer. For a quick peak of the Class of 2024 May celebration and graduation ceremony, visit the video link below!
