By KRISTI MAYFIELD
Graduation week in Oakdale was packed full of eager graduates and proud families as the Oakdale Charter School kicked off the celebrations, hosting their graduation ceremony for both eighth grade and 12th grade on Wednesday, May 21.
As Mr. Tim Parola, one of the educators at the Charter School gave the commencement address, he highlighted the strengths of each student and celebrated their individual contributions. Many of the students were honored, including several that received scholarships. Recipients of the California Department of Education Honors included: Maggie Powell, Jaeden Mendez and Sara Hernandez-Vigil, who all received the Presidential Gold Awards while Jesalyn Marquez, Emory Harned, Jaeden Mendez, Abbott Raugust and Olivia White took home the Presidential Silver Awards. Maggie Powell and Abbott Raugust also received Oakdale Joint Unified School District School Board Scholarships while the Oakdale Board of Realtors Scholarships went to Emory Harned and Kylie Padgett. Rounding out the honors, Jaeden Mendez and Sara Hernandez-Vigil were the proud recipients of the Diane and Jay Gilbert Scholarships.
“You made a choice to finish school and that’s why you’re here and your choices will determine how you live the rest of your life,” said Parola as he addressed the graduates. Parola elaborated and reminded them that even though they faced some obstacles along the way, they didn’t give up, they believed in themselves and their abilities and their hard work paid off.
The celebrations continued with East Stanislaus High School and Valley Oak Online Learning Academy honoring their graduates. As Pat King, Principal of Alternative Education noted, “Each of you had challenges to face and you did so, some of you even working right up until tonight to make sure you graduated and you should be proud of yourselves for that.”
With more than 60 graduates in total between East Stanislaus High School and Valley Oak Online Academy, there were a lot of hugs and some tears as students said goodbye to their teachers and embraced the possibilities of the future. Students that received top honors including the Presidential Gold and Silver Awards from the California Department of Education were: Nathen Bedwell, Ronin Clem, Eric Hutson, Anikan Lorrah, Vanessa Pineda, Tyler Saragosa from East Stanislaus High School with Kyle Atkinson, Breanna Blatter, Nicholas Lisson, Teagan Nolan and Peyton Bakken from Valley Oak Online Learning Academy rounding out the Gold recipients. Silver Award recipients included Faith Carr, Chris Robbiano, Ian Moran, Aramando Ortiz, DeJaney Hernandez Flores, Jayleen Duran, Josh James from ESHS and Braxton Marquette, Lizbeth Cabrera, Corey Hatchell and Kimberly Rea from Valley Oak Online Learning Academy. Soroptimist International also provided some scholarships which went to the following proud recipients: Giselle Castallanos, Vanessa Pineda, Angie Torrez, Joely Muhlenbrunch, Savannah Elliott and Desiree Buchanan with the Oakdale Board of Realtors Scholarship going to Vanessa Pineda, Josh Ring, Nathen Bedwell and Jayleen Duran of ESHS and Lizbeth Cabrera of Valley Oak Online Learning Academy. Bedwell was also the recipient of the Lance Campbell Memorial Award which honors students that have made great strides during their time at ESHS. Campbell was a dedicated former educator at ESHS that passed away due to ALS and following his passing, ESHS has selected one student each year to receive this scholarship that exemplifies the dedication, hard work and perseverance that Campbell himself was known for.
With almost 400 students graduating from Oakdale Junior High in a ceremony in The Corral on the OHS campus on Thursday evening, May 22, the graduation proceeded smoothly and efficiently with ASB President Vada Barnes reminding her fellow students to cherish the memories they’ve shared and embrace the future as they head into high school. Barnes also went on to take a moment to thank parents, guardians and other family members that have helped them get to this point. From Barnes to Kaylee Adams, ASB VP, who reminisced with her fellow graduates about school dances, filled with Taylor Swift songs, to the lasting friendships they’ve made along the way, it was a night filled with joy and excitement, as the eighth grade Rams were promoted and next school year will be freshman Mustangs at OHS.
