‘Responsibility’ called key to Clark Magnet High School students’ success

It was the last time Principal Doug Dall would lead a graduation ceremony and see off a class of Clark Magnet High School students to their futures ahead.

Dall led the school for 18 years, serving as its first principal when Clark opened in 1998.

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With more than 250 graduates seated behind him, Dall talked about how each year since the school was founded something more was added — everything from new vending machines to a fresh set of math textbooks.

He used the commencement as an opportunity to tout Clark’s accomplishments over the years.

“In the 18 years of Clark’s operation, [the school] went from the idea of reducing overcrowding to a two-time National Blue Ribbon School and a three-time California Distinguished School,” Dall said.

Jared Ortaliza and Derek Petrosian were co-valedictorians this year because they both earned a 4.48 grade-point average.

Each year, the graduating class gives a class gift, but the tradition was a bit different this year.

“The class gift is usually given to the school, but this year, it’s being given to someone, a person that’s been with Clark since the start,” said Mohammad Hassan, student body president.

He then presented Dall with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the class of 2016.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class was Arman Aloyan, who wrote a speech titled “The First Day of the Rest Our Lives.”

He said in writing the speech he thought about what motivated Clark students to attend the school, which was a 15-minute drive away from many students’ homes, instead of attending closer campuses such as Glendale or Hoover high schools.

“I’ve spent countless hours trying to find the difference between Clark and the other schools. The difference is the sense of responsibility,” Aloyan said.

He said accepting the responsibility of being a Clark student entails a willingness to be the next generation of innovators, storytellers, educators and entrepreneurs.

“This sense of responsibility has been the road map for the last four years of our lives,” Aloyan said.

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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com

Twitter: @ArinMikailian