Their principal, Larry Rodriguez, said to his students and to their family and friends, "My experience in coming to La Paloma has been rewarding and gratifying. The students have continued to be an inspiration to me through their hard work, determination and perseverance."
Rodriguez went on to say that the barriers his students have built up through the years had been fortified by the various hardships they experienced in their lives.
"These obstacles stood in the way of relationships with teachers and others," Rodriguez said. But "with the help of our great staff, the students started to chip away at the wall and persevered, paving the way to their graduation tonight.
"Most of these students realized that they themselves were in the way of their education and relationships with others," said Rodriguez. "Once they realized that they could move forward, they progressed and they are getting their reward tonight."
Then looking out at his students, Rod-riguez told them, "Tonight ends a small part of your journey through life. You all started high school as young teens and leave today as young men and women. After today, you'll start on your new journey. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do."
Liberty district Superintendent Dan Smith also gave a few encouraging words to La Paloma's Class of 2007. "The rewarding of your diplomas this evening is certainly a special event that you will remember for the rest of your lives," said Smith.
"You may not remember much of what was said tonight; however, I hope you never forget the feeling of accomplishment and triumph that each of you must be feeling at this very moment. The sense of pride that you and your family share this evening is well deserved - because you've worked long and hard to be on this stage."
Smith continued by telling them, "The person who succeeds is not the one that holds back during failure or the one that never fails. Rather it's the one that is determined to move forward in spite of failure. Graduates, tonight is a true celebration of your success during high school and for the promise of continued success in your futures."
Student speaker Lauren Pack spoke of her time in education and what was instilled in each of them at La Paloma. "Throughout our years in high school, our teachers have prepared us for the real world. They have told us that nothing will be as easy as this stage in our lives ever again," said Pack.
"I tend to believe this and it excites me to know that there is another challenge around the corner - another adventure that is better than this one is truly amazing."
Pack ended by telling her fellow classmates, "When we turn the tassels on our hats, we will no longer be children, but adults walking into the next stage of life."
Joseph Roberson, another student speaker, spoke of life goals and the ability to succeed. "Everyone must set goals for themselves, and graduation day is the achievement of one of those goals. All the graduates on this stage have proved that they can succeed in their endeavors.
Then Roberson reminded them that "in order to rise to the occasion, you must rise to the commitment in all that you do in life."
Congratulations to La Paloma High Schools Class of 2007: Raquel Borjon, Ricardo Cano, Marcella Chavez, James Covington, Monique de la O, Oscar Estrada, Michelle Franzke, Tyler Grove, Kyle Kohlweck, Bryant Laws, Josef Lopez, Kimberly Menke, Michelle Moore, Carlos Olmos, Lauren Pack, Tawnee Penrod, Cory Pratt, Richard Rivera, Joseph Roberson, Raiel Ross-Willis, Charmaine Tate, Andrew Watson, Taylor Wright and Laura Wynne.
Graduates Awards for the 2006-07 school year: Attendance Award: Bryant Laws; Community Service Award: Michelle Franzke and Joseph Roberson; Language Arts: Raquel Borjon; Most Improved: Michelle Franzke, Tyler Grove, Kimberly Menke, Carlos Olmos, Joseph Roberson and Laura Wynne; Most Improved In Math Award: Marcela Chavez, Michelle Franzke, Lauren Pack, Tawnee Penrod and Andrew Watson; Physical Education: Michelle Franzke, Tyler Grove and Joseph Lopez; Positive Thinker: Raquel Borjon, Michelle Franzke, James Covington, Tyler Grove, Bryant Laws, Josef Lopez, Carlos Olmos and Joseph Roberson; Principal's Award: Monique De La O; Ramona Rose Award: Joseph Roberson; Science Award: Tyler Grove; Social Studies Award: Marcela Chavez, James Covington, Lauren Pack, and Joseph Roberson; Special Projects: Raquel Borjon, Michelle Franzke, Bryant Laws, Lauren Pack, Joseph Roberson and Laura Wynne; Staff Appreciation Award: Raquel Borjon, Ricardo Cano, Marcela Chavez James Covington, Monique De La O, Oscar Estrada, Michelle Franzke, Tyler Grove, Kyle Kohlweck, Bryant Laws, Josef Lopez, Kimberly Menke, Michelle Moore, Carlos Olmos, Lauren Pack, Tawnee Penrod, Cory Pratt, Richard Rivera, Joseph Roberson, Raiel Ross-Willis, Charmaine Tate, Andrew Watson, Taylor Wright and Laura Wynne; and Tenacity Award: Tyler Grove, Bryant Laws, Kimberly Menke, Tawnee Penrod Joseph Roberson, Andrew Watson and Laura Wynne.
Scholarships and La Paloma recipients: Bay Bomb Car Club "Cruising For A Higher Education" Scholarship: James Covington; Brentwood Chamber Of Commerce Scholarship: Kimberly Menke; Kiwanis Club of Brentwood Scholarship: Tyler Grove; Brentwood Lions Club Scholarship: Michelle Moore and Monique De La O; Brentwood Rotary Club Scholarship: Marcela Chavez, Monique De La O, Tyler Grove and Laura Wynne; Brentwood Womens Club Scholarship: Lauren Pack; Clifford Pierce Memorial Scholarship: Raquel Borjon, Ricardo Cano, Marcela Chavez, James Covington, Monique De La O, Oscar Estrada, Michelle Franzke and Tyler Grove; Discovery Bay Corvettes Club Scholarship: Cory Pratt; Gerald Hardt Scholarship Award: Tyler Grove; Kenneth Forlow Memorial Scholarship: Kyle Kohlweck, Bryant Laws, Josef Lopez, Kimberly Menke, Michelle Moore, Carlos Olmos, Lauren Pack and Tawnee Penrod; Liberty Education Association Scholarship: Lauren Pack; LUHSD Education Foundation Scholarship: James Covington; Rose Pierce Memorial Scholarship: Cory Pratt, Richard Rivera, Joseph Roberson, Raiel Ross-Willis, Charmaine Tate, Andrew Watson, Taylor Wright and Laura Wynne; Soroptimist Of The Delta Scholarship: Laura Wynne; and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Reeves Scholarship: Josef Lopez.
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