OJAI : Nordhoff High’s Top Grad Gives Thanks

It didn’t take Graham Hughes long to reach the top in the United States. Five years to be exact.

Graham, 17, is valedictorian for Nordhoff High School’s Class of ’95. He moved from Canada to Ojai in 1990 with his parents, who were seeking better job opportunities, Graham said Wednesday.

Graham didn’t mention his recent migration from Ottawa during a short address to 186 other Nordhoff High graduates, their families and friends who gathered at the school’s football field for commencement ceremonies Wednesday.

But he did thank his parents and teachers for their support of his four years of education at Nordhoff High.

“For every graduate here there are proud parents out there, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces,” Graham said. On a lighter note, he told parents they might see some changes around the house in coming months, particularly if their graduate is college-bound.

“For some of you, it means gaining a phone line but losing a bank balance,” he said.

He also urged his classmates to take time to enjoy every day of life, whether it is spent studying, working or goofing off.

“We learn from the journey and the goal is simply a bonus,” Graham said.

As each senior heard his or her name called and walked up to a podium to receive their diploma, relatives and friends in the stands hollered, cheered and snapped photos.

And for once, Nordhoff seniors reveled in the fact that they graduated a week later than most of their peers in Ventura County. Unlike the wet commencements that took place last week in Ventura, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks, Ojai’s proceeded under sunny blue skies and pleasant temperatures.

Robed in royal blue, the new graduates scurried to find classmates after the ceremony for one last embrace.