The sounds of Pomp and Circumstance echoed in the hallowed halls of Riverbank academia last week, as schools here celebrated promotions and graduations in area schools.
Just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, students completed their school years, with some moving up, and some moving out.
Promotion ceremonies occurred at Crossroads Elementary School, part of the Sylvan School District, where students moving up will attend middle school in Modesto.
Those in the Riverbank Unified School District in Pre-K classes are moving up to kindergarten, while Mesa Verde and California Avenue promotions are moving up to Cardozo Middle School, and CMS students are headed to Riverbank High. Eighth graders at the Charter Riverbank Language Academy are also headed to RHS in the fall.
Cardozo Promotion
The Cardozo Middle School eighth graders held their Promotion Ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, on the all-weather track at the Angelo Novi Stadium on the Riverbank High School campus.
After the processional, a flag salute was led by student Javier Tovar, and the National Anthem was performed on a trumpet by Band Teacher David Howard.
Principal Kevin Bizzini welcomed parents, friends and administrators, followed by a number of academic awards.
The Laura C.C. Petersen Scholarship was presented to Vannia Barrios Gonzalez and Manuel Felix. Petersen was an early teacher at CMS and became its first female principal.
Academic Excellence Recognition went to students who have maintained an average GPA of 3.5 or higher through all 12 quarters at CMS. They include Gonzalez and Felix, Nolan Bruner, Gabriela Garnica, Emily Guzman Guzman, Agustin Marin, Summer Mitre, Kelsey Quintana and Jose Valdez Cisneros.
The California Junior Scholastic Federation award for community service and citizenship was received by Felix, as well.
The speakers were then introduced by Bizzini, with Gonzalez as Valedictorian and two Salutatorians, Felix and Nolan Bruner.
Promotion Certificates were presented by members of the RUSD School Board, and a Farewell Speech was delivered by Student Body President Summer Mitre.
The CMS Class of 2023 included 154 graduates.
Adelante High School
The Continuation High School held its graduation ceremony inside the Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium on Thursday afternoon, May 25. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., it preceded the RHS activities by a couple of hours.
AHS Principal Ed Vaca welcomed the 25 graduates, their friends, family, and teachers and administrators, including the RUSD School Board.
Student Pramilla Patel led the Pledge of Allegiance, and then was introduced by Principal Vaca as Salutatorian. Josiah Siegel was the Valedictorian. Other student speakers included Stephanie Muñoz and Javie Albor, and Instructor Fred Wood concluded the program.
Principal Vaca then presented the class as qualified for graduation, and RUSD Superintendent Christine Facella accepted the graduates.
As she spoke to the students, Facella related the story of the old donkey that had fallen into a well. She said its owner gave up on saving it, and decided to just bury it in the old well. She pointed out that the donkey soon learned to shed the dirt as it was shoveled, then step up on what was left.
She left the graduates with the motto “Shake it Off and Step Up,” noting that eventually, the donkey was able to climb over the edge of the well and walk away.
This was Facella’s last graduation season in Riverbank, since she is retiring in July.
After the ceremonies, the graduates retired to the side of the gym opposite the audience, standing in a circle and tossing their mortarboard caps into the air. Then they were surrounded by parents, families and friends for numerous photo opportunities to mark the occasion.
Riverbank High School
The final round of Pomp and Circumstance came on Thursday evening, right at 7:30 p.m., on the all-weather track in the Angelo Novi Stadium on the RHS campus.
The processional was led by Principal Greg Diaz and Superintendent Facella, followed by the school board, teachers and then 163 graduating students.
RHS ASB President Jeremiah Mangiapane led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Diaz welcomed the students and the crowd.
Counselor Elsie Lazar reviewed Senior Awards and Scholarships earned by class members, with each rising as their name was read. Lazar noted that class members had won $18,000 in scholarships this year. And she added that some would be moving on to higher education while others would opt for trade schools, and some would be enlisting in the military.
Notes on the pages of the program indicated which students received honors, such as CSF Life Member, Golden State Seal of Merit, National Honor Society, Seal of Multilingual Proficiency and the CSF Highest Honor.
Valedictorian Jordan Raymond Velasco and Salutatorian Alyssa Denise Perez both spoke, then Principal Diaz presented the Class of 2023. Superintendent Facella then accepted the class.
Diplomas were presented by the RUSD Board of Trustees, including President Diana Gonzalez, Clerk Ana Vigil, and members Elizabeth Meza, Ernest Velasco and Katie Wedge.
At the end, the graduates moved their tassels from one side to the other, then some threw their caps in the air. Following the recessional, photo ops were the order of the day, with friends, families and teachers.
