Arvin grads share successes at rally before ceremony

John Harte / The Californian Arvin honors graduate Alberto Rodriguez is all smiles during the Bears' graduation ceremony Friday. Rodriguez was one of the school's 36 gold seal bearers.

Filed: June 9, 2001

By TIM BRAGG
Californian staff writer
e-mail: tbragg@bakersfield.com

ARVIN -- As the sun literally set on their high school careers, graduates of the Arvin High School class of 2001 thought about their next steps in life.

There were 372 graduates who walked into Barle Stadium Friday evening to the tune of the fanfare and processional.

Principal Blanca Cavazos said she believes the class of 2001 was the largest ever to graduate from Arvin High School.

During a special rally held earlier, seniors announced which colleges they would be attending. Cavazos said this was a great way to get underclassmen thinking about college.

"Everyone's watching this and all the kids watch and think, 'Where am I going?'" Cavazos said. "The seniors really came together and were cheering each other. It was just a real bonding moment."

Most graduating seniors said they would have great memories of their high school years.

"I'm going to miss the people," said 18-year-old Irene Guerrero as she waited for the ceremony to begin with her friend, 19-year-old Lupe Gallardo. Both said they plan to attend Bakersfield College after graduation.

"We had so many things to do together," Guerrero said.

Some were unsure what the future would bring.

"I'm not happy to be graduating," said Xochitl Garcia, 17, who was the school's Associated Student Body president during the school year. "Now I'll have to start all over."

Garcia, who plans to attend the University of La Verne in the fall, said most of her friends are going different places after graduation.

"We're really going far apart, but we'll always have e-mail to keep us together," Garcia said.

While some were sad to graduate, there are some things the students said they would not miss.

"I'm not really going to miss the dress code at this school," said Kristal Asuncion, 17. She plans to attend Bakersfield College and transfer to UCLA.

But she still had some pangs of nostalgia.

"It's sad because I realize that when we're gone, there won't be many underclassmen who are going to remember us," she said.

Richard Duran, 18, said he will miss walking his girlfriend to class. But he's glad his high school career has come to a close.

He plans to work for a local fence company after high school.

"I don't have to worry about going to school anymore," he said.