Cheers, Tears, Songs, Spotlight CVHS Graduation
On Friday, May 31, the stands at the Castro Valley High School (CVHS) stadium were packed with families and friends who came together to celebrate the graduating class of 2024.
“I’m gonna cry. There are a couple of people out there that I’m gonna be rooting for. And when I see them up there, so yeah, but I’m excited to see the next seniors next year too,” said Ryan Ace, a campus security guard at CVHS.
Families and friends packed the bleachers, bringing handmade posters and air horns. Many others stood around the surrounding fence, waiting excitedly for the students to enter the football stadium.
“Jason’s my oldest, so I am very proud of him and his accomplishments. Obviously this is a long journey through his academic career won't stop here,” said Lance Brede, father of high school graduate Jason Brede. “He's going to play collegiate soccer. So, he’s going to be doing that next year.”
The celebration of more than 600 seniors began with graduates walking into the stadium and to their seats on the field. The international welcome followed, during which CVHS seniors greeted the audience in Spanish, Japanese, Tagalog, American Sign Language, and many more.
Associated Student Body President Quentin Hansen was the first to speak. He congratulated his fellow graduates and spoke about the obstacles they overcame as a class. “I believe the legacy of the class of 2024 is a legacy of perseverance. A legacy of learning how to adapt to new circumstances and defining for ourselves what we want our experience to look like,” Hansen said.
Following Hansen’s speech were performances from the CVHS band and choir. The groups performed the “Star Spangled Banner” and the “CVHS Alma Mater” together. CVHS choir seniors, directed by Laryssa Sadoway, performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Angel Smith and Xavier Collins sang a duet of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Performances were followed by speeches by Senior Class President Niyah Barber, Principal Christopher Fortenberry, and seniors Cooper Matthews, Shriya Koul, and Faith Anderson.
Students lined up row by row, having their names called out as they walked to receive their diplomas and shake hands with Principal Christopher Fortenberry.
After all the students had walked the stage, Fortenberry and the esteemed school board members certified all the graduates' diplomas. Decorated graduation caps were all thrown in the air with cheer as families made their way down to the field in celebration.