1,000 Graduate in Ceremonies at Royal, Simi High

With their brightly colored gowns billowing behind them, more than 1,000 teenagers from Simi Valley’s cross-town rival high schools graduated Tuesday under sunny but breezy skies.

At Royal High School, about 520 students became graduates in a ceremony that urged students to be leaders but reminded them that they are also followers.

But putting his own twist on the theme, student Ryan Gesell told the audience that their “following days” were over.

“We’ve gone through 12-plus years of school, and we are ready,” he said. “Grab onto your friends and hold tight. We are embarking on the journey of life. And now we’re leading.”

Unlike most east county schools, which chose several student speakers, the honor went to just one at Royal High.

“It’s always been my dream to give the graduation speech,” said Gesell, who auditioned for the opportunity. “I feel a lot of pride for my class and wanted the chance to say something to them.”

School pride dotted the speeches at Simi Valley High’s graduation as well, where students remembered the indignity of having to attend their rival high school in the months after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Tim Hawkinson, one of three valedictorians who spoke at Simi Valley High, told his classmates that the experience was a lesson in overcoming adversity.

“Looking back, while the earthquake stole a normal high school experience, I think it replaced it with a much more valuable experience that taught us to keep moving forward, to never give up,” he said.

Hawkinson and his co-valedictorians each graduated with a 4.3 grade point average. Another 21 Simi Valley High students graduated with high honors, and 51--a record--made the California Scholarship Federation honor society.

The trio urged the approximately 575 graduates to look beyond themselves for happiness, to give back to their communities and to never forget the loved ones who helped them get where they are today.

Simi Valley High School valedictorian Stacey Brenner devoted her entire speech not to her fellow students, but to her family, friends and teachers.

“Everyone here had to have a shoulder to lean on to get this far,” she told her peers.

Her comments were well-received by parents, many of whom flanked the gates surrounding the podium, positioning themselves to capture the moment on film.

Although his son Blake was killed in a drunk driving accident last year, Jack Bielan attended the ceremony in his memory.

“I am here because I think [he] worked hard and deserved to be represented,” he said. “And I worked just as hard as a single parent.”

The emotional speeches were punctuated by moments of levity. At Simi Valley High School, a beach ball was let loose in the red-clad sea of graduates, sending an official chasing it and down the aisle.

And the audience roared when Principal Kathryn Scroggin honored Jason Walker for his perfect attendance record.

He never missed a single day of school, she said--since kindergarten.

But the audience, and the students, didn’t truly cut loose until the diplomas were awarded, shouting out names and blaring horns when their loved one’s names were called.

Many students said before the ceremonies they had only the immediate future in mind.

For most, that included dinner with the family, parties with friends and sleep--in that order.

“Time to party hearty,” said Gesell, Royal High’s student speaker.

Kelly Walters and a friend agreed that partying and sleep were in order, but couldn’t agree on which to do first.

“I’m going to sleep,” insisted Walters. “After 13 years, I deserve it. I’m glad it’s over.”

Others were less enthusiastic about the future.

“I’m happy to be getting out of here,” said Simi Valley High graduate Robert Johnson as he marched in the processional. “But I’m not happy to be joining the real world.”