THOUSAND OAKS : High Schools Give Diplomas to 1,200 Grads

About three dozen brand-new Conejo Valley High School graduates threw their tasseled caps off with a holler, kicking off commencement ceremonies Wednesday at four Thousand Oaks high schools.

In all, about 1,200 students received diplomas from the Conejo Valley Unified School District. At Conejo Valley High, the district’s continuation high school and the first of the four schools to hold its ceremony, some of the graduates said they never expected to make it.

Students come to the continuation school because of special needs or problems with grades, attendance or behavior. Alissa Christoff said she transferred to Conejo Valley because she was falling desperately behind at Westlake High.

“They said if I failed one more class, I couldn’t graduate,” Alissa said, adding that it helped her to work at her own pace without the pressure of timed tests in class.

“We made it,” said her excited friend, Jennifer Whiteman, 18, who transferred from Westlake with Alissa.

In one of two senior addresses, graduate Sierra Nyokka urged students to remain disciplined and continue their education. Sierra received several scholarship awards to pursue her ambition to become a teacher.

Graduate Erik S. Reynolds stressed that life consists of decision-making, some of it difficult. But the graduates have made a good start, he said.

“I believe that graduating from high school is a decision you have made and everyone sitting here should be proud they have made the right decision,” said Erik, who has served as the school’s representative to the Board of Education for two years.

Commencement ceremonies also were held Wednesday at Thousand Oaks, Westlake and Newbury Park high schools. Later, an overnight party was planned by city, school and parks officials at the Goebel Adult Center and Conejo Village Bowl to give seniors a safe place to celebrate.