Clark, CVHS Celebrate Commencement Ceremonies

After years of homework, reports and projects, including the ever-popular fourth grade mission model, parents and seniors at Clark Magnet and Crescenta Valley high schools saw the end of an era as the graduating members of the Class of 2006 received their diplomas on June 22.

Clark Magnet High School graduated 244 students. Celine Mackerdichian, Associated Student Body president, said having a good support system is important for having successful high school years.

"Know your counselor very well, because he/she will be the one writing your recommendation letter to colleges," she advised. "And don't slack off after freshmen year because sophomore year is the hardest, and many private colleges don't even look at the classes you've taken your freshmen year."

This year's candidates for valedictorian and salutatorian were Nadia El-Fakih, In Lee, Mkritch Ohanyan, Gevork Palyan and Iren Tatevosyan.

Clark Magnet was a Blue Ribbon nominee last November. The National Blue Ribbon program honors public and schools that are either academically superior in their states or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.

Graduating the same night was the senior class at CVHS, also a Blue Ribbon School.

Several CVHS seniors stood last Thursday evening as they were honored for serving thousands of volunteer hours in community service, for achieving their A to G class requirements for a four-year college, for passing advanced placement courses, and for achieving high scores on the California High School Exit Examine.

The Class of 2006 is the first class required to pass the CAHSEE. CVHS Co-principal Linda Evans said the students, staff and teachers take the CAHSEE very seriously. The school offers many intervention classes to help students who do not pass their initial testing. The results of that effort was evident during commencement, when Evans had more than 200 students stand, students who had not only passed the test but had scored above the proficiency level required.