La Cañada High’s Class of 2016 marks achievements, reflects on journey
Hundreds of La Cañada High School Spartans extricated themselves from a collective and fairly advanced case of “senioritis” Friday evening to pay tribute to a campus and a school community they’ve come to think of as a second home.
A graduating body 336 students strong, the Class of 2016 assembled on the school’s football field one last time to show their appreciation to teachers, family members and friends who supported them through an important, at times formidable, shared journey.
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In his welcoming remarks, Class President Grant Parker reminisced with Dickensian flair on the “best of times” — getting accepted to college, senior scooter days, prom and, of course, graduation — and the “worst of times,” which ran the gamut from college application stress to getting busted by parking police and suffering the symptoms of incurable senioritis.
“But seniors, we made it,” Parker continued. “Today marks the end of a chapter in our lives, but it only signifies more to come. Don’t forget to live in the moment, and remember the people who started the journey with you.”
Sahil Nandwani drew on a card-playing metaphor, advising classmates to make the most of the hands they’ve been dealt, while Deborah Oh shared some of the lessons she’s learned as a Spartan.
“I know that many of you feel overwhelmed, trying to live up to the expectations everyone has for you, but you don’t need to,” Oh said. “Heroes aren’t just people who save the world — they’re our parents, our artists and our teachers. Each of you can become someone’s hero, no matter where you are or what you do.”
This year’s crop of graduates leaves behind an impressive legacy of achievement in both the academic and extracurricular realms, which LCHS Principal Ian McFeat attempted to break down for the audience.
In addition to earning more than $3.5 million in scholarships, he said, this year’s class had an average GPA of 3.72 (compared to a national average of 3.0) with the top performer earning a staggering 4.86. McFeat also recognized the many athletic, extracurricular and philanthropic achievements of the student body.
“Congratulations, Spartans,” he said. “You have represented yourselves and our school district well.”
In the crowd were two commencement participants of the four-legged variety, including Australian Cattle Dog Tulip, a service companion belonging to Carter Milic. Tulip remained close to her ward throughout the ceremony, watching events unfold from under her own tiny mortar board.
Milic, an avid equestrian, was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in 2009 at age 11 and, for a time, was unable to speak or move. After a long period of recovery she went on to represent LCHS in the Interscholastic Equestrian League’s 2015-16 season, riding atop horse Starlet.
On Friday after the commencement, Milic and Tulip were greeted by family and friends, including father Byrd Milic and LCHS teacher and personal supporter Michelle Laska.
“Five years ago, [my daughter] weighed 61 pounds, and it’s because of these guys that she got through this” said a grateful Byrd Milic. “She saw Ms. Laska every morning, so I knew she was in good hands.”
“I just gave her the step-by-step pieces she needed to get her on her journey,” Laska offered. “And she got there, so it’s all good.”
Carter Milic will attend Glendale Community College, where she hopes to study culinary arts. But after Friday’s commencement, the graduate was focused on more immediate plans.
“Right now, I’m going to go home and take a shower to get the hairspray out and put on some comfortable clothes,” she said.
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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
