Graduation ceremonies for Liberty Ranch and Galt high schools
Dressed in green caps and gowns with silver detailing, the Liberty Ranch High School Class of 2017 makes their way down the center aisle of the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. They’re following the staff, perhaps a metaphor for these educators leading their students one last time. The Galt Liberty Unified Ensembles Band plays “Pomp and Circumstance,” barely audible over the applause, cheers and air horns from the audience, as the seniors walk, strut and even dance their way to their seats. Theirs is a small class, but the feeling of unity between them is almost palpable. They’ve let their individuality shine through on this day, draping themselves with stoles, leis made of both flowers and folded dollar bills, some have even decorated the mortarboards of their caps.
Principal Joe Saramago steps up to the podium, taking a moment to recognize the members of the school board seated on stage before inviting Brandon Aceves to lead everyone in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Saramago then welcomes Ivan Madrigal, who plays the National Anthem on his trumpet, giving the song a “live performance” feel. The microphone is then passed to the Associated Student Body (ASB) Officers, who begin the first of many heartfelt speeches of the afternoon.
ASB President Megan Hamrick begins by expressing pride at having served her office, before offering advice to her fellow graduates.
“Take it all in: students, friends, teachers, this is the last time we’ll all be together,” she said.
During their four years in high school, according to Hamrick, the students made it their home.
She describes the bonds forged during those years, saying that they “aren’t just classmates, we are ohana,” using the Hawaiian word for “family.”
After advising her fellow graduates to continue working hard as they move into the future, she passes the microphone amongst her fellow officers, each one contributing to the welcome speech in their own way.
Some of the officers recall the first ever Color Dance which took place that year, or the first Winter Ball held along with Galt High School, while others express excitement over opportunities for new beginnings and new traditions. Others thank the staff for teaching them, Principal Saramago for his “hours and hours” spent at sporting events and other activities, families for supporting them throughout the trial and tribulations of high school and the coaches for making high school about more than just class work.
Wyatt Braziel, school board representative, tugs on more than a few heartstrings with his speech.
“Memories of classes, tests and projects may fade, but we will always remember that ohana spirit. Let’s go, Liberty,” he said.
Becca Dennis of the school board then takes the stage to present the citizenship Award to Taylor Gill, a student who, according to Dennis, “embodies the Hawk spirit” with her kindness and willingness to serve others.
The senior class officers then take the microphone to deliver their own address, recalling the new shoes, new jeans and new anxieties of their first year, when they were just beginning to find their place. They remember the difficulties of sophomore year, not quite upperclassmen yet still wanting to set an example for the freshmen as they begin to leave their legacy. They remember their academically challenging junior year, their first as upperclassmen who couldn’t wait to be seniors, meeting and exceeding any challenge in their way.
Finally, they remember senior year, from its first sunrise to its final sunset, never expecting it would go by as quickly as it did, leaving behind six state championships and placing first in their league for almost every sport.
The Class of 2017’s officers leave behind, as the traditional senior gift, a pair of heart defibrillators, wanting to give the school tools that could save people’s lives in the future.
Angela Schroder, advisor to the graduating seniors, then addresses the audience, introducing a 13-minute video featuring the senior class, dressed in caps and gowns, visiting their former elementary schools where the hug teachers, play with children and give speeches to inspire the next generation of young scholars.
Schroder, beaming with pride, addresses “Mama Schro’s little darlings,” saying that they have reached the end of high school, and “everything you’ve worked for these last 12 years.”
She acknowledges the money leis on their necks as well as the beach balls poorly hidden underneath their chairs.
As she recalls the first time she saw them, she quotes Winnie the Pooh.
“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to begin,” she said.
As she wishes them luck in their new adventures, whether they be in the military, the work force, trade school or college, she tells them that true happiness, one of the tools for success, comes from small acts of charity each day.
“Everything in life is the result of a choice you’ve made,” Schroeder said as she ended her speech, advising her students to continue making choices that will lead to happiness and success.
Saramago then returns to the podium to congratulate salutatorian Leslie Gomez, before welcoming board member Devon McLeod to introduce valedictorian Rachel Lanzone, sharing a story of witnessing her save two dogs in the middle of a busy street that he feels represents her selfless character.
“Class of 2017, we made it!,” Lanzone said as she opened her speech.
Lanzone, who plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science at University of California, Davis, humbly insisted that she is no more qualified than any of her other classmates to give advice, but still shared the most important thing she learned at Liberty Ranch: The importance of being happy.
Lanzone openly admits that she did not particularly enjoy most of the hard work that went into earning her spot as the top student in her class, stating that she wants to change her priorities in the future and advising her fellow graduates to do the same. She tells them that they are approaching the time in their lives when they can make dumb choices, dye their hair, even not show up to class if they so desire. She speaks of the impending freedom to make their own decisions in life, and the opportunities for growth that come with them.
She asserts that high school was not the best four years of her life.
“Things have got to be better than waking up at 6 a.m. five days a week,” she said.
She thanks her mother for her support and understanding, her grandmother for always having a hidden candy stash at just the right time and everybody else who “made life brighter,” before offering a final piece of advice to her fellow students.
“Live life in a way that you look back and laugh,” she said.
Saramago then congratulated the students as they begin to line up for their diplomas, telling them to embrace the oncoming challenges as “a great journey is waiting for each one of you.”
The students make their way across the stage as their names are read, receiving diplomas and handshakes from members of the school board as the crowd goes wild once more, with air horns blaring every other minute in celebration.
As the last student leaves the stage, Saramago thanks the audience one last time, before presenting the candidates for graduation to the school board. School Board President Matt Pratton then confirms the students’ graduation, instructing them to move their tassels from right to left before they throw their caps in the air to one final 21 air horn salute.