Hundreds of Antioch High School seniors engaged in their final rite of high school passage recently at the school’s 78th graduation ceremony.

Some laughed, some cried, some sat silently and some even danced after receiving their diplomas – the special document for which the students have worked tirelessly. The event was an emotional send-off for members of the Antioch class of 2011, who prepare now to further their education or enter the workforce.

“It’s my distinct pleasure to wish you the best of success in all of your academic and career goals,” Antioch Unfied School District Superintendent Donald Gill told the graduates. “I’d also like to thank your parents and your families for their support in preparing you for today’s milestone celebration.”

This year’s graduating class was full of promise. Instead of one valedictorian, graduation officials chose seven: Marina Becker, Leticia Garay, Casey Blalock, Lien Nguyen, Nicole McIntosh, Hannah Polanco and Paris Imholz.

“You’ve all spent high school not only learning about English, science and math, but about yourselves,” Polanco said. “You’ve made it this far, so obviously you’ve got what it takes. You’ve got your whole future ahead of you. It’s up to you to decide who you want to be.”

The valedictorians, all clad in Antioch gold, reflected on what their classmates have achieved over the last four years and offered promising hope for the future. They recalled fun times from the past, such as football games and Senior Ball, and spoke of how they would keep those memories close to their hearts.

“Together as a class and as individuals, we have all created a little piece of ourselves in these last four years at Antioch High School,” Blalock said. “After this night, the time for us to complete ourselves beyond this campus, beyond the classrooms we just left yesterday, will begin.”

The ceremony included a touching tribute from the school’s Music Masters, who performed “Wind Beneath My Wings” in memory of Jill Joseph, an Antioch alumna and faculty member who passed away earlier in the school year. Joseph was instrumental in helping out with the school’s music program.

All the student speakers had one common theme: hope and positivity.

“Antioch High School is just a building, it’s just some walls – you’re what made it,” Senior Class President Paul “Lenny” Costa told the grads. “You’re meant for greatness, the likes of which this world has never seen before.”

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Congratulations to the Antioch High School Class of 2011: Giovanni Fernando Abad, Clarise Nicoline Dalumpines Abillano, Maryam Issa Abugharbeya, Kelly Cecilia Acuña, Jose Miguel Aguilar, Radacal James Alexander, Adriana Alejandra Alferez Escobedo, Joshua Richard Alsaker, Pascual Alvarado Vasquez, Jose Manuel Alvarez, Salvador Mendoza Alvarez, Deisy Ambriz, Victoria Lee Amos-Miller, Kiyonna Jasmine Anderson, Kelsey-Marie Haunani Aranio, Kyle-Lewis Kekua Aranio, Zarah Nadine Arce, Stacie Jean Archuleta, Jacquelyn Cheree Areas, Anthony Garee Arredondo, Miles True Auclair, Cesar David Avina, Kimya Azmoudeh, David Allan Baker, Jack Benjamin Ball, Zachary Jacob Barlow, Erin Dejana'e Barnes, Mark Steven Bartle, Derek Alex Bartlett, Leonardo Felipe Batista, Eric Michael Baughman, Jessica Bautista, Joseph Adam Baynes, Calvin Danny Beasley III, Juan Manuel Becerra, Marina Renae Becker, Lidia Amisadai Beltran, Garron Lee Robert Benton, Jessica Jean Berkich, Jessica DeeAnn Bernal, Shelbe Renee Berreth, Demetrius Demariyae Berry, Ryan Joseph Bettencourt, Paige Michelle Bickford, Giovanni Simone Billeci, Ryan Austin Bittle, Casey Ryan Blalock, Madelyn Eileen Bonzi, Xavier Ryan Bosley, Richard Devante Bridges, Jamie Lee Brown, Jamarkis Myday Buchanan, Antonio Giovanni Raymond Bullene, Devante Remond Burgess Mayuex, Rosalenda Bustos Barragan, Sierra Jolyn Bybee, Oscar Cabeza, Serena Nicole Cain, Kevin Anthony Candelieri, Latoshia Chandrel Alexis Cannon, Brianna Nicole Cantrelle, Jose Marvin Cardoza, Cyariah Rage Carey, Carmen Veronica Carmona, Nicole Renee Carrasquillo, Eugene Adilene Carrillo, Kelsey Susanne Cast, Jeremy Patrick Castillo, Mauricio Cesar Castro, Ashly Cerda, Jose Daniel Chavez, Gina Marie Chiechi, Reginald Perry Chriss, Jennifer Cisneros, Rosa Maria Cisneros Alvarez, Monica Mae Clark, William Lewis Cloninger, Brian Michael Collins, Mashae Arturie Collins, Hillary Guadalupe Contreras, Steven Christopher Conway, Allison Cooper, Brianna Ashley Copeland, Rafael Coria, Jared Russell Cornelius, Alan Axel Corona, Hailey Marie Cosby, Paul Lenny Costa III, Jessica Nicole Costello, Desiree Mariah Coston, Brianna Jean Cote, Jorge Xavier Coto, Laura Isela Covarrubias, Dane Nicholas Crabtree, Michael Maurice Crawley, Mary Therese Cubangbang, Laura Marie Cudney, Nicole Francesca Cuellar, Anthony Thomas Curcio, Lysandra Tavares Da Silva, Jalon Anthony Daniels, Dolores Anahi Davalos, Natalia Davila, Reynaldo Angelo Davila, Jamaal Edmund Davis, Jessica Lee Davis, Kaitlyn Marie Davis, Ashleigh Fay Delmar, Rajkumar Deoroop, Alec Michael Beaudreaux DePalm, Matthew Robert Devengenzo, Pamela Rose Digal, Destinee Mecca Dixson, Danielle Elizabeth Donaldson, Beverly Ann Dover, Richard Alexander Dozier, Madison Audra Jeanne Dube-Gonzaga, Tatiana Duenas, Steven Duc Duong, Donna Suzanne Eaves, Lennon Palecpec Edrosolan, Edgar Ivan Elizalde, Gilberto Elizondo, Austen Blake Ellison, Nicholas Lee Elsberry, Marc Antone Enos, Lisa Michelle Ervin, Abraham Escobar, Iris Daniela Espogeiro Cruz, Le’Shaya Dominic Evan's, Tyler James Evans, Joseph Roman Faria, Haydee Nichelle Febus Mendez, Frank Jacob Ferguson, Brenda Fernandez, Maria Guadalupe Fernandez, Kelly Brook Ferronato, Hector Elpidio Figueroa, Rachel Paige Fletcher, Alicia Duran Flores, Guadalupe Flores Diaz, Gentrell Rayana Forbes, Brittany Alashia Gandy, Leticia Victoria Garay, Diana Noemi Garcia, Jesus Torres Garcia, Jose Javier Garcia, Mark William Garner II, Janaella Lynn Garrett, Dave Logan Gentry, Amelia Machelle Gerard, Joshua Michael Giffin, Morgan Tyler-Louisa Giorvas, Zachary Daniel Gonsalves, Lizette Gonzalez, Marcos Gonzalez, Bertran Antonio Gonzalez Navarrete, Dillon Isaac Guadamuz, Taylor Nicole Gunter-Allums, Devany Arisbeth Gutierrez, Juan Carlos Gutierrez, Marriecia Guzman Gutierrez, Solmayra Guadalupe Gutierrez, Vaneza Gutierrez, Tomas Gutierrez Romero, Anthony Ha, Alexis Joy Habiger, Molly Louise Haley, Nicholas Miles Hall, Jarod Tyler Harris, Jon Warfield Harrison, Kolina Antoinette Harrison, Kyana Patricia Harrison, Jeremy Rakeem Harvey, Samuel Nicholas Hatchett, Lance Alexander Hayes, Riley Parker Heaton, Scott Paul Hemsley Jr., Kevin George Hendricks, Melanie Jean Diane Hendricks, Mariah Antoinette Heredia, Alyssa Shea Hernandez, Debora Hernandez, Diana Hernandez, Isaias Arturo Hernandez, Lorenzo Hernandez, Marianna Adilene Hernandez, Marissa Isabel Hernandez, Jessie Taylor Herrington, Toni Danielle Herrington, Filip Michael Hess, James Ray Hickman, Kiana Michelle Hillery, Michael Hinds Jr., Shatori Shanell Hines, Jessyka Sterling Hix, David Allen Hodge, Katey Diamond Holland, David Lee Holman, Allasia Michael Holmes Hyett, David Paul Howard, Lukas David Hudson, Jessica Theresa Huerta, Jabree Barry Id Deen, Paris Taylor Imholz, Megan Louise Isham, Khairi Tamim Issa, Christopher Iverson, Daniel Iverson, De’Ondre Nathaniel Yashoe James, Joshua Valle Jayubo, Patricia Kay Ellen Jesus, Stephanie Nicole Jillson, Connor Adam Johnson, Deaira Precious Trinae' Johnson, Kenneth D'Wayne Johnson, Kyanna Crystal Johnson, Marcus Nathaniel Johnson, Quinn Mikal Johnson, Amanda Mae Jones, Jessica Maye Jones, Yasmin Tajanae Jones, Brandon Lewis Kacsmaryk, Brandon Scott Kaida, Malioni Sione Kaloni, Jeffery Glen Karnthong, Manpreet Kaur, Evan Margaret Kovalick, Dylan Nicholas Kuhlmann, Ileka Michelle Lang, Alex Michael Lantrip, Mele Lasike, Cody John Lawrence, Denielle Montana Le Barre, Michaya Kenya Marie Lee, Adam Jay Leon, Bibiana Leon, Elizabeth Leon, Amanda Lucille Leutza, De'Jon Malcom Lewis, Trae Alexander Liburd, Samantha Lynn Lilligh, Cameron Christian Lodge, Michael Bradford Loey, Calvin Lopez, Savino Lopez, Thomas Anthony Lopez, Gianna Shanelle Lucido, James Robert Lynn, Julia Grace Lyter, Kaitlyn Nicole Mac Kusick, Namuji Ng'Wanangwa Madoshi, Gladys Trinidad Madrid, Mario Magallon, Patricia Elena Martin, Ja’nael Anisha Martin Flowers, Alondra Noemi Martinez, David Martinez, Gerardo Rene Martinez, Lydia Ruby Martinez, Martha Elisa Martinez, Mercadez Nicole Martinez, Tito Ray Martinez, Emily Ruth Marzolf, Alec Joshua Mathews, Stephanie Ann Marie Mathias, Wazma Matiee, Bernardo Mauricio, Lashante Shionese Mayo, Miachalah Inyanna Diamond Marie Mccants, Antoine Alexander Mccauley Simmons, Jena Elyane McGarey, Cody Robert McGee, Michal Paul-Seba McGoldrick, Nicole Christine McIntosh, Alexander Mendoza, Nicole Victoria-Christine Mills, Gabriel Anthony Mirijunio, Eric Donald Mohr, Ericka Elizabeth Molina Giron, Lea Marie Moore, Taylor Brianne Moore, Anallelhy Torres Morales, Domingo Alexander Morales, Alexis Jane Moreno, Erika Cecilia Moreno Araujo, Dionte Raschane Morris, Aris Cole Morton, Denisse Mosqueda, Vanessa Aida-Marie Muniz, Scott Campbell Myers, Diva Najib, Moises Navarrete Jr., Nataly Patricia Navas Soriano, Meetra Nazam, Victoria Gail Neely, Vanessa Marie Neill, Michaela Lee Newberry, Lien Thi Nguyen, Clayton Matthew Nicholas, Edmond Maxwell Nicholas, Rebecca Dawn Nielsen, Mark Anthony Nieve, Brandi Nicole Obioma, Samantha Jordan Ogorchock, Omoshaleola Bianca Taye Olabanji, Omoshardeola Brianna Kehinde Olabanji, Martin Olivares, Taylor May Ree Ong Johnson, Alexis Orozco, Rosalba Orozco, Nathan Christopher Orr, Fabian Ortega, Katherine Jennifer Ortiz, Shaniece LaShae Owens, Angel Paguada, Ronnijun Lyndon Guinto Panugaling, Timothy Nisha Parshadh, Sara Alyssa Pellegrino, Brian Love Pence Jr., Thomas Ray Penrod, Angelina Marie Pereda, Kayla Anali Perez, Diana Perez Gutierrez, Guillermo Perez Gutierrez, Miguel Angel Pimentel, Alberto Pinera, Jesse Edward Pinkham, Nicholas Alexander Pitschner, Hannah Jean Polanco, Kellen Bradford Popineau, Njeri Porter, Daidre Denise Powell, Jessye Wayne Powell, Darel Baty Quimson, Cortney Taylor Quiroz, Michael Alexander Rabago, Mitzi Ramirez, Pablo Ramirez, Primo Eduardo Ramirez, Veronica Ramirez, Jesus Ramos, Thomas Jesse Raymondo-Buckingham, Julius, Kaitlynn Elizabeth Reed, Joshua Michael Reither, Dania Marisela Rendon, Nallely Rendon, Giuseppe Colt Revetta, Brennden Anthony Reyes, Jesse Magdaleno Reyes, Magdalena Alicia Reyes, Ricardo De Jesus Reyes, Alfredo Reynoso, Mickey Ryan Riccobuono, Philippe Alexander Richard, Anita Cherri Richardson, Garrick Reno Ridolfi, Cruz Javier Rivas, Luis Rivera, Christopher Patrick Roberts, Rachel Marie Roberts, Briana Lynn Rochin, Jacob Joseph Angel Rodriguez, Jennifer Caroline Rodriguez, Jessica Denise Rodriguez, Kathy Alejandra Rodriguez, Uriel Rodriguez, Lashawn Antonette Rodriguez-Redd, Luis Emilio Rojas, Alicia Marisol Rojas Jimenez, Jennifer Josselin Roman, Anayareli Garcia Romero, Yzel Romo, Mycheila Darian Rose, Shelby Lynn Rose, Kelhani Marie Ross, Kristina Nichole Rossetti, J'Lyssa Sheri Ryder, Jhustine Averymae Habana Sahagon, Farhad Saied, Angel Marquez Salamanca, Jorden Marie Saldana, Tybias Deo Samot, Marco Antonio Sanchez, Nicholas Corneil Sanders, Carolina Sandoval, Jose Manuel Sandoval Gutierrez, Justin Klarence Santos, Amanda Lovelle Sargent, Randell Mario Sayco, Teron Harriett Ann Schaeffer, Jessica Nichole Schiavone, Yesenia Sedano, Harjot Singh Sekhon, Brian Eduardo Serrano, Juan Carlos Serrano, Chitrakshi Sharma, Saurabh Sharma, Jayme Nicole Shipe, Erick Ruben Silahua Tejeda, Christina Danielle Smith, Sean Kyle Smith, Allison Danelle Snedden, Aaron Louis Spivey, Devin Allen St Laurent, DeAndre Lamar Steiner, Amanda Elaine Stiverson, Kate Susan Stout, Khadijah Yabo Taine Suleman, Sarah Mercado Suson, Aleksandra Lee Sutton, Tanner Ryan Sweet, Alexandra Tagliamonte, Devlin Jane Tallent, Nicholas William Tamayo, Jacob Tyler Tate, Amelia Rae Taylor, Nikia Tisha Taylor, Traevon Aaron Taylor, Manuel Tellez Jr., Alauta Chenille Teofilo, Sharra Thach, Dashanae Asia Thomas, Jered Ferrell Thomas, Jacqueline Renee Thompson, Jamie Nicole Thompson, Adam Bruce Timbal, Andrew Jordan Timbal, Peter Kieran Tirado, Nic Borrelli Tiscareno, Armando, Julie Thi Tran, John, Christopher Micheal Trezza, Haydee Loren De Guzman Tumang, May Thetcher Tun, Vanessa Alexandria Turcios, Felix Antonio Ulloa, Elizabeth Valencia, Sandy Jaqueline Valenciano Espino, Fernando Vallejo, Samantha Ann Vanheusen, Gina Alissa Vargas, Jocelyn Vargas, Jose Angel Vargas, Ashley Nicole Vazquez, Mayra Alejandra Vazquez-Nunez, Briana Reyisha Velasquez, Andrew Ajay Velu, Maria Elena Viera Mata, Yesenia Villa, Cecilia Villalobos-Alvarado, Amy Vongphakdy, Bonnie Amelia Waisanen, Devan Renea Walker, Tyvon Austell-Louis Walker, David Charles Wallace III, Quentin Andrew Wallace, Dylan James Warburton, Wilnatta Doris Tarrann Wardsworth, Allen Michael Washington, JyVante T West, Katilynn Marie West, Shannon Lee Thompson West, Kiara Leean Wiggins, Parker James Wilkinson, Brianna Marie-Kathleen Williams, Kaila Renee Williams, Ky’ara Antoinette Williams, Morgan Diane Wilson, Taevionna Latage Wilson, Brayant Irwin Wood, Cheyenne Mariko LaTrice Wright, Shamawn Lee Wright, Montrell Deon Young-Butler, Jason Arlin Zachery, Cynthia Susana Zaragoza, Alex, Samuel Zuniga.