Class of 2007:Spirit and memories
A bright sun shone over Liberty Hall at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Saturday as members of the Bellarmine-Jefferson High School Class of 2007 made last-minute preparations for their graduation ceremony — smoothing out their robes, straightening their tassels, laughing out their jitters.
Once inside the auditorium, they processed in twos down the center aisle, splitting a veritable sea of adoring smiles, colorful bouquets and flashing cameras.
They did it.
The class had many members who were standouts this year academically, said Sister Cheryl Milner, school principal.
“This is a particularly good academic class,” she said. “I was particularly impressed at how many people had above a 3.0. G.P.A. — and we had strong group of honor students as well.”
The school boasted two valedictorians this year — Jordan Rada and Heather Romanowski — whose 4.5-grade-point averages were identical down to the fourth decimal point.
Co-valedictorian Rada, 18, said he will most treasure his high school experience participating in service activities in the community.
“A lot of my important memories have to do with service — working with the Salvation Army, serving Thanksgiving dinner,” he said. “Also, a lot of the things I did with my friends helping the community will be held close in my heart.”
Rada will take his experiences with him to Woodbury University in the fall, where he hopes to continue his public service and study psychology.
“I really hope to incorporate some of the clubs and activities that I did at Bell-Jeff,” he said. “There are a lot of underprivileged people who don’t have a voice.”
Romanowski said her high school experience has left her with memories of time spent serving on the student council, putting together student activities.
“I will remember just being able to plan and organize the activities and everything,” she said. “And always having to come up with new ideas.”
Romanowski will attend Loyola Marymount University in the fall, double-majoring in dance and psychology with plans of doing dance therapy.
Psychology was a popular choice of major among graduates going on to college, a trend that more than one student attributed to Bell-Jeff psychology teacher Colby Boysen.
“The people and the teachers here are the parts I’ll remember most,” said Devon Clark, 18, who plans to major in psychology and business at California State San Marcos in the fall.
Graduate Samantha Jenkins, 18, pointed out a camaraderie that emerged during her time on campus.
“There’s so much school spirit and I like how everyone’s involved,” said Jenkins, who will join Glendale Community College’s cheerleading squad in the fall, with plans of transferring to UCLA. “And it’s great to have friends who love and support you.”
And as another class passes through Bell-Jeff’s doors, it will leave behind fond memories among the faculty on campus, Sister Milner said.
“They have a very nice spirit,” Sister Milner said. “And I know that everybody always says that, but it’s true.”
Bellarmine-Jefferson High School Class of 2007
Edwin Alvarado, Michelle Monique Alvarez, Paulo Antonio Anzaldo, Avel John Madrid Aquino, Niko Christopher Argento, Robert Nazar Arjoyan, Michael Alexander Armas, Matthew Edward Armstrong,
Jordan Joseph Berry, Arman Haik Boyadjian, Alexandria Marie Briseno, Julia Rose Bywater,
Kelsey Reed Carapia, Sergio A. Carvajal, Amanda Cepero, Daniel Choi, Paul James Cayetano Chumnikai, Devon Amanda Clark, Renato Roxas-Cristi Jr., Mark Daniel G. Cristobal, Freddy Ilya Cupen-Ames,
Nancy Alonzo Dabu, Gevork Joseph Dashchian, Susan E. de Walden, Dana Seraphine Dennard, Nicole Genevé Diller, William Ellis IV, Melissa Rachel Estrada,
Shenandoah Olimpia Fasano, Gregoire Fernandez Felipe Jr., Ramon Ervin Enriquez Fernandez,
Jesus Alejandro Gallegos, Ana Christina Garcia, Sara B. Garcia, Valentine Gasparian, Shant Emanuel Gharachedaghi, Cindy Tatiana Gonzalez, Jeffrey R. Grubb,
Mario Herrera, Antreas Noubar Hindoyan, Vincent John Hinojosa,
Casey Allen Jaramillo, Samantha Sarah Joelle Jenkins, Jeffrey Andrew Johnston,
Kyung Hyun Kim, Vittavat Top Klinmalai,
Oliva Angelica Ledesma, Joshua Jose Lepe, Christopher Misael Lopez, Jeremy Mitchell Lopez, Donna Marie Loya,
Nicholas Vincent Marckese, Jared James Marlang, Matthew Andrew Martinez, Leelit Minasyan, Hikanush Cathrine Mkrtchyan, Monica Marie Molina, Suk Hoon Moon,
Christopher Chiong Oen, Briana Nicole Olguin,
Gregory Royce Pancho, Inette Diana Pardo, Amber Janine Parker, Denise Lulu Parra, Nicholas Perino, Rebecca Christina Pincolini, Evan John Poage, Taylor Harrison Pollard, Dmitri Puerta,
Jordan Kevin Rada, Alexander Phillip Resendez, Dominic Yanguas Reyes, Alexandra Francene Rivera, Heather Christine Romanowski,
Ruben Sanchez, Mikhail Austin Monte Sandow, Kailyn Elyzabith Sciberras, Pamela Sue Simeon, Matthew Arvin Sollano, Ricardo Suarez Jr.,
Elie A. Touma, Tara Ann Tramell, Maria-del-Rocio Trejo-Legarrea,
Ashley Valenzuela, Daniel James Van Dyke, Stephanie Vasquez, Bonnie Elizabeth Velasquez, Catherine Gabriela Vidal, Christopher Edson Viray,
Victor Habbib Yazdi