Freedom High School Salutatorian Stephanie Fuchs has dealt with many challenges on her way to becoming one of the school's top students, but she faced a final challenge at the school's graduation ceremony Saturday.

As if delivering a speech in front of hundreds of people isn't stressful enough, when it came her time to take the rostrum, the blue binder that held the text of her speech was missing. She remained calm as dignitaries scurried around searching for her binder, and laughed at the quips about preparation aimed at her by Senior Class President Kevin Soares and Valedictorian Raylene Poppino.

Eventually Fuchs' speech was found and delivered as if nothing happened - another test that the UCLA-bound senior passed with flying colors.

"Throughout our four years at Freedom High School, we have met different obstacles and challenges … but we have made it," Fuchs told the other 394 members of the Class of 2007. "We are the future, and the future is in the decisions we make. We will make decisions that will leave our own unique mark upon this world."

Photos by Justin Lafferty

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