New Beginnings: Speakers urge Garces grads to remember faith as they move on to next step

John Harte / The Californian Valedictorian Sonya Singh graduated with the highest grade point average in Garces' history: 4.826. John Harte / The Californian Garces Memorial High School graduate Darci DeArmon checks out the large crowd assembled to watch the ceremony.

Filed: May 31, 2001

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

It was a time of joy and time of sadness for 165 graduating high school seniors at the Bakersfield Convention Center Wednesday night.

Garces Memorial High School held its 54th annual commencement, with Bishop John T. Steinbock of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno presiding over the ceremony.

Speakers at the graduation told the students to remember the faith that serves as an anchor in their busy lives, while not forgetting to reach for the stars.

Valedictorian Sonya Singh, who gave the student graduation speech, said adolescence is often a time when young people question the role of God in everyday life.

"We sometimes wonder, 'Where is God?'" Singh said.

She said that all the graduates of the school are like a canvas, each contributing his or her own special colors to the whole.

"Each person who has walked into my life during the last four years has added a little bit to that painting," Singh said.

She said the culmination of her and her classmates' high school careers is like the journey up a tall mountain peak.

"When we come down from the mountain, we'll be different persons than the ones who came up," Singh said.

As the graduates received their diplomas from Steinbock, members of the audience cheered for their family members and friends, even though they were asked to hold their applause until all the names had been called.

A few graduates tossed their mortarboards into the air after the final name was announced.

"They still have to be on their best behavior," Principal John Kvasnicka said. "They are still considered students until after the ceremony."

He said he is extremely proud of all the graduates.

After the ceremony, graduates reflected on their accomplishments during the past four years. Most said they had come a long way during that time.

"I'm definitely not as shy as I used to be when we first started," said Kyle McMahan, who plans to attend Bakersfield College in the fall.

Neeharika Srivastava said she is looking forward to a challenging college career at Boston University, where she will participate in a seven-year medical degree program.

"I have definitely been prepared to get through life's ups and downs," she said.