BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL:
Hilda Akopyan on Thursday night sat down to do her homework, when she came to a realization.
“I’ll never have homework for Burbank High again,” she said.
“I’m so used to everything being the same, and now I am about to embark on a big change.”
Akopyan, who plans to attend Pasadena City College in the fall, was one of 617 seniors who graduated on Friday night from Burbank High.
Parents, grandparents as well as other family members and friends gathered at the Starlight Bowl to honor the graduates.
While students anxiously waited for the start of the ceremony, parents aimed their cameras in hopes of catching a shot of their soon-to-be high school graduate.
“This is my son’s step into adulthood, and it makes me realize that he’s not a baby anymore,” said Beverly Felix, whose son Juan received his diploma.
More than 39 of the graduates finished their high school career with a grade-point average of 4.0 or above, 15 or more scored 800 on one section of the SAT, 140 worked more than 100 community service hours, 95 were Presidential Award winners and one was named a National Merit Scholar, Principal Bruce Osgood said.
Graduate Christy Timmons said she plans to return to the Burbank High campus.
“I want to go to college and major in English and minor in theater so I can come back to Burbank High,” said Timmons, who plans to attend community college and then transfer to a local university.
Osgood used his speech as an opportunity to congratulate the graduates and commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.
“One of the soldiers that fought in D-Day said, ‘You can never have enough training,’” Osgood said.
“Now, we’ve given you your training and today is your D-Day. . . . Your training will help you but your heart, or your deepest self, will get you through.”
But the night was just as much about celebration, as it was about saying difficult goodbyes.
One of the night’s senior speakers chose the words of Willy Wonka, a fictional character in the 1971 movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” to remind his fellow graduates what they should set out and accomplish.
“I know what you’re thinking, what can a candy man from the 1970s tell us?” senior Alex Reyes said.
“But, he was the one that told us, ‘Anything you want to do? Do it. Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it.’”
CLASS OF 2008
Christopher Aba
Danielle Nicole Abdeljaber
Ormar Abdelrahman
Victor Antoun Abdullatif
Tina Abedi
Armineh Dalar Abolian
Edmond Abramyan
Brittany Nicole Acebal
Lina Acopians
Yvess Adamian
Ruben Agajyan
Armen Aghakhan Gaykan
Alina Aghakhani
Lala Aghakhanian
Hyo Un Ahn
Raya Lily Akopian
Hilda Adrine Akopyan
Arsen Aleksanian
Annette Alexandrian
Rafael Alexandrian
Sharlo A. Alexandrian
Paul Kevork Alkhasian
Zachary Cole Allen
Anastasia Altounian
Jennifer Michelle Alvarez
Giovanna C. Amaya
Andronik Amazaspyan
Scarlet Liliana Ambrose
Rizkalla Michael Amran
Sevak S. Amranyan
Hye Bin An
Victor Anthony Anaya
Spencer Keith Anderson
Eileen Andreasyan
David Ricardo Angel
Charle Marcus Anunta
Anna Arakelyan
Tania Sarin Araradian
Leticia Hayde Arevalo
Steven Matthew Armstrong
Vartuhie Anita Arutyunyan
Arin Asadorian
Anto Atashian
Edgar Avakian
Jennifer Aldjandra Aviles
Jeffrey Edsel Ayala
Joel Ayala
Aren Azizian
Lana Babajanian
Arcine Babakhanyan
Daniel Babayan
Tiffany Sabrina Bagdasarian
Harry Bagdikian
Greg Baghoomian
Kimberly Goharic Baltaian
Matthew E. Bang
Cynthia Natalie Barba
Taylor Jenkins Barlow
Jessica Yesenia Barrera
Rony Arvin Barsamian
Shushanik Barsigian
Dani Jamal Basbous
Aaron James Ferreras Basco
Dino Rosario Battaglia
Arno Bazikian
Alexander Rene Beas
Brittany Nicole Beaudry
Daisy Beltran
Grigor Greg Berberyan
Jacob Dane Berg
Joshua Fredrick Bernhard
Pamela Stefania Berrios
Jorge Adalberto Bertolin
Michael Esteban Bishop
Jeremy Bishow
Eric David Blatz
Nvard Blikyan
Emily Boghoskhan
Noelle Boutros
Erick Bravo Ramirez
Cindy Leticia Brenes
George Jonathan Briseno
Nikola Brkic
Sarah Elise Brownstein
Perla Buenrostro
Mitchell Taylor Burns
Susie Christine Burrows
Yulissa Buruca
Grant Edward Bushey
Matthew Gabriel Bustillos
Daniel Cabanillas
Malcolm Keith Campanella
Cory Thomas Cardamone
Ricardo A. Cardenas
Yesenia Carolina Cardona
Matthew Lee Carey
Samantha Marie Carletta
Cody James Carlson
Jasmine Carranza
Kendra Lynn Carter
Darlene Carvajal
Stephanie Casas
Sean Jeremy Castillo
Thanisa Chakavanmongkol
HeeSoo Chang
Stephanie Elizabeth Chantland
Scott Michael Chase
Hyun Jin Cho
Kyo Jang Samuel Cho
Jee Hyun Esther Choi
Robin Choi
Seung Wan Choi
Natalie Cholakian
Chelsie Christman
Justin M. Chun
Sebastian Devin Clark
Amber Lauren Clay
Jenifer Nicole Coderko
Walter Jacob Cohen
Dennis J. Collatos
Riley Grant Collins
Angelina Brittany M Contreras
Dorothy Moree Cooper
Brian Edward Copeland
Daisy Cornejo
Lizeth Yamileth Correa
Mark Douglas Cox
Tara Johanne Crawford
Nicholas Cody Crescitelli
Austin Cameron Cripps
Carla Cristales
Cohn J. Crocker
Lianna Darabedyan
Meghedi Darbinians
Leticia Mercedes Davalos
True Davis
Troy De Chellis
Rubi De Leon
Cole De Perna
Roxana Maritza De Santiago
Coral Deffan
Sandra Dekic
Juan Carlos Del Rio
Camille Amado Del Rosario
Sara Alizabeth Delgado
Estyrose D’Elia
Brent Nestor Dell
Shant Armen Demlakian
Gayane Gina Dermenjian
Hagop Devedzhyan
Esteban Di Masi
Priscilla Noemi Diaz
Anselmo Silva Dimaano
Donald Pham Do
Jason Thomas Dodson
Julio Cesar Donayre
Diane Drmandjian
Trinity Elizabeth Duffy
Michelle Lynn Duran
Avetis Dzharatanyan
Katherine Louise Earle
Denise Echeverria
Jeffrey Arthur Edwards
Teodick Eisaghalian
Ani Ekmekchian
Armine Ekmekchian
Mohamad Elhawary
Abraham Nasser Elzein
Menova Enjili
Angel Anthony Erazo
Juan Carlos Escobar
Samantha Rosalyn Escobedo
Murtaza Faizi
Brian Emory Fallman
Gregor Farhadians
Kandice Fekety
Juan Antonio Felix
Mark Douglas Ferraro
Melanie Starr Fielder
Kevin Xavier Figueroa
Adrian P. Flores
Veronica Flores
Justin Derek Folk
Valentina Forero
Jacob Paul Forsch
Jeffrey Robert Fountain
Sophia Rose Frias
Kirsten Anne Froelich
Stephanie Lynne Froelich
Sarah Marie Frye
Connie Michelle Fuentes
Kevin Kirakos Galadjian
Catalina Isabel Galdamez
Andranik Galoian
Jahira Guadalupe Galvan
Gill Garces
Oscar F. Garces
Rocio Garcia
Simone Raquel Longoria Garcia
Arman Oganesovich Gasparyan
Deborah Gatton
Cameron Joseph Geller
Ani Gevorgyan
Stepan Gevorgyan
Suzie Gevshanyan
Sarkis Gezalyan
Kyle Thomas Ghafouri
Iden Gharapet
Greta Ghazarian
Arshavir Arik Ghevondyan
Jouana Anashe Ghookasian
Rony Ghookassian
Tomik Ghoukasian
Danny Michael Giaba
Natasha Nicole Gibson
Justin Ted Gillett
Michael Patrick Girod Jr.
Ian Scott Glebocki
Robert Golbudakyan
Ken William Goldstein
Greg Jay Gomberg
Victoria Elizabeth Gomez
Gabriela Nayeli Gomez Arredondo
Emily Gong
Diana Nohemi Gonzalez
Elijah Patrick Gonzalez
Susana Maria Gonzalez
Victor Gonzalez
Forest Robert Goodbar
Dana Alexis Gradillas
Lauren Grair
Joshua Armand Granados
Bianca Marie Grande
Cassandra Jacinto Gregorio
Alana Gregos
Marian G. Grigoryan
Bryant Cristopher Guerrero
William Earl Guild
Sandra Gutierrez
Samuel Gyurdzhyan
Ernest Seigo Ha
John Ha
Sara Lynn Haakana
Joseph E. Hadaya
Kierstin Hadley
Sis Andre Haghnazarian
Arin Haghverdian
John Evan Hall
Sallie Hallum
Vahe Hambardzumyan
Emilie Hambarsonpour
Vahe Todd Haroutounian
Amanda Nicole Hass
Joseph James Hefner
Konrad Markus Hermann
Diana Marie Hernandez
Maira Hernandez
Samantha Sae Hernandez
Sigrid Hernandez
Stephanie Hernandez
Kristine Heroian
Bias Herrera
Luis Enrique Herrera
Matthew Steven Hirtz
Anaheet Honarchian
Jun Suk Hong
Peter Hong
India Danielle Honore
Dalas Jordan Hood
James Robert Horgan
Kevin Hourany
Karine Hovagimyan
Annabel Hovsepian
Odette A. Hovsepian
Lynne Marie Howell
Brittny Teresita Huerta
Michelle Catherine Huertas
Shaun Peter Huggins
Grace J Huh
John Nicholas Huleis
Saima Rukhsar Ibrahim
Anya Bosnak Iritsyan
Seda Isayan
Ty Matthew Jackson
Kindah Jaradeh
Sean John Jenei
Elie A. Jermanos
Nicholas Sung Woo Jin
Mallory Wilder Johnson
Jayna Paige Jones
Melissa Rose Jonkey
David Kachatryan
Grace Ji-Yeon Kang
Joyce Jieun Kang
So Yun Caroline Kang
Lucas George Kantzabedian
Angela Kao
Mari Karagezian
Elin Karamian
Hakop Karapetyan
Katherine Karapetyan
Lanna Karapetyan
Jozsef Laszlo Kardos
Ashley Karp
Hayk Karsyan
Krikor Katoromian
Thomas Ross Kaufmann
Mousa George Kawas
Jon Kayajian
Gevorg Kazaryan
Suzie Anush Kazaryan
Jacqueline Kechedzian
Amanda Leigh Keith
Elizabeth Jean Keller
Samantha Paige Kelly
Mane Keshishyan
Narek Khachatryan
Tigran Khachikyan
Aren Khanbabaei
Ester Khandzhyan
Narek Khanmahlakian
Beverly Kim
Bonnie Kim
Chai Kim
Davis Chung Hyun Kim
Caitlin Rebecca King
Alexander Kitinskj
Tara Booth Kleiger
Elizabeth Lindsay Krailo
Konstandin Kumuryan
Natasha Lacayo
Guerard Michel Magnaye Lachica
Emily Sue Ladin
Kyle Steven Lamb
Michael Adam Lance
Ivan Oswaldo Lara
Richard Manapsal Lazo
Nicole Lebo
Christina Lee
Kristine Michelle Lee
Mindy Ann Lee
Nicole Christina Lee
Sharon M. Lee
Jason Tae Young Lee
Katherine Taylor Lees
Kristina Legostayeva
Sergio Andres Leguizamon
Benjamin Aaron Levitt
Paulina Jessica Linares
Eli Samuel Robataille Lippman
Carlo Jose Lobos
Arliz Lilliana Lopez
Jennifer Astrid Lopez
Jessica Nataly Lopez
Zachary D. Lotane
Alejandro Loveira
Antonella Yhiovana Lucero
Tracy Evelyne Luna
Gerardo Jose Lupercio
Alexandra Luque
Reyna Macias
Kristin Elizabeth Madrigal
Daniel Magier
Erik Patrick Mahoney
Jozef Makarade
Ani Malkhasyan
Audrey Lynn Macalinao Manalang
Patrick Michael Maniquis
Lilith Mansuryan
Vanis Mardian
Miganoosh Margoosian
Vacheh Margoussian
Alina Markarian
Boris Markosian
Diana Markosian
Kevin James Markovic
Claudia Yahaira Martinez
Fernando Elyud Martinez
Jessica Ann Martinez
Mark Martinez
Francisca Camila Maureira
Alexandra Teresa Mc Bride
Ryan Michael Mc Carthy
Erin Michelle Mc Daniel
Alexander Clarence Mc Intosh
Kierra Mc Intyre
Dogbeda F. Mc Kenzie
Parpi Mehrabi
Carlos R. Melendez
Artur Melik-Kasumyan
Michael Mendez
Linda Milki
Bryan Millo
Emily Patricia Mills
Holland Shayna Mills
Tenny Minassian
Lucia Leticia Minaya
Anthony Courtney Minors
Karina Miranda
Vazgen Miridjanian
Max Anthony Mirnoff
Georgiy Mkrtichyan
Susan Marie Molina
Joshua Jesus Montes
Katherine Johanna Montes Martinez
Christopher Michael Montgomery
Steven Michael Montoya
Paula Victoria Moren
Karla Moreno
Salvadore Pajarillo Morente
Brittany Erin Morman
Harout Moroyan
Haruryun Moroyan
Robert James Mott
Rajiv Kumar Moudgil
Edwin Mukelyan
Mackenzie Eileen Muldoon
Merisa Ann Muljat
Patrick Jamison Mullin
Benjamin Justin Munoz
Julianna Julianna Munoz-Loaiza
Anna Muradyan
Edward M Murillo
Dillon Stuart Murphy
Martin Nachev
James Edward Nagy
Ramona Nahapetian
Kabin Kidong Nam
Ani Nairi Narinyan
Alina Marinella Navar
Luis Navarrete
Anomeh Naylous
Lia Nora Nersesian
Justin Loc Nguyen
Kathy Tu Tran Nguyen
Gurgen Nikogosyan
George Nono
Hyung Jin 0
Daniel Young Oah
Matthew Anthony Oakley
Daniel O’Campo
Ashley Rose 0‘Dea
Arin Orogian
Kristina Ann Ortiz
Rachael Christine Osgood
Melinda Ou
Hrayer Ovsepyan
Tarablake Buan Pamplona
Narek Pananian
David Shin Park
Joseph Jae Park
Steven Michael Parks
Ruben Anthony Partida
Francis Gerard Pecache
Margita Nicole Pecache
Alexis Jean Perez
Antonio T. Perez
Jessica Noemi Perez
Micah Ruben Charles Perez
Stephany A Perez
Nicholas Armen Pesqueira
Nare Petoyan
Shantteh Arpah Petrossian
Phillip Petrosyan
Patrick Petrousian
Phoom Pettaveporndej
Deana Plascencia
Aaryn Brittany Poche
Jessica Anne Poitevien
Adriana Pozos
Jandel Guicho Prado
Jeffrey Wayne Prutz
Kristen Carmen Pun
Brian Quijano
Marjorie Blanche Ebol Quito
Omar M. Rahman
Dean Maxwell Ramm
Christina Emily Raygoza
Karen Daniela Redondo
Emma Claire Register
Michael Alberta Renteria
Marvin Alexander Reyes
Rasa Mia Reynolds
Alexander Rhyoo
Lauren Taylor Rike
Jaime Riojas
Justin Allen Rivas
Dustin John Rivera
Kevin John Reyes Rivera
Andrew Hernan Rocha
Erica Rochana
Aldo Octavio Rodriguez
Roberto Rojas Reyes
Benito Romero
Jeniffer Romero
Kristin Rose Rondinella
Monique A. Roses
Monica Leigh Rosete
Tally Roth
Silvana Nicole Ruiz
Madeline Elizabeth Rupp
Erick Andrew Ruth
Seyedhamidreza Sadatian
Jasmin Perkash Sadhwani
Roaa Sahtah
Denise Samaniego
Stefan Stefanov Samardjiev
Carlos Samyan
Christian N. Sanchez
Jazzmen Diane Sanchez
Jordan Vincent Sanders
Hansen Mitchel Santos Santa Isabel
Andrew Joseph Santiago
Yara Sarah
Galina Sargsyan
Adrig Sarian
Elin Saroian
Angelica Martin Sazon
Christopher Joel Sazon
Brianne Michelle Schafer
Rebecca Elizabeth Schulze
Dean Everett Searcy
Vahe Sedrakyan
Kalina Sepani
Kevork George Sepetci
Armando Joel Sermeno
Angel Shabbain
Diana Shaginian
Sharis Shamirian
Kelly Anne Shattle
Andrew Clark Shelton
Esther M. Shin
Artin Shirvanian
Jordan Siefken
Chayanin Silpwatanaskul
Brittney Jade Silveira
Argin Simonian
Preni Sinaei
Earl Marcel Franco Siongco
Michael Kitti Siriprabrydhi
Anne Mary Sogomonyan
Alma Rosa Soto
Israel Soto
Yasmine Souza
Perry Christian Stevens
Stephen Hollis Stoll
Megan Marie Sweeney
Noriko Tada
Merian Fayez Fouad Tadrous Khalil
David Tagvoryan
Maurice Tahmasian
Sarine Takhmazyan
Robert Tarkhanyan
Adam Luis Tejeda
Edison Ter-Mkrtchyan
Araks Ter-Oganesyan
Anahid Ani Terzyan
James S. Thomer
Ashley Patricia Tijerino
Christy Marie Timmons
Jenna Patricia Todd
Adam John Toma
Rodney Tyler Tomlinson
Christine Eva Topalian
Rene Victor Torres
Yessica Yovvana Torres
Ejmin Tounian
Edgar Trujillo
Korey Lee Turk
Yvette Ulloa
Kevin Uong
Nathaniel Valencia
Jonathan A. Valenzuela
Koreen Helen Valtierra
Arevik Vardanyan
Rafael Vardumian
Alejandro Alfredo Vargas
Alexandra Sara Vay
Estefania Flares Velasco
Peter Frank Velasco
Dulce Zelene Velazquez
Guadalupe Velez
Chloe Dominque Vignolles-Jeong
Cristhian Marcelo Villagra
Cathleen Karima Villapudua
Cynthia Crystal Villasenor
James Miguel De La Rosa Visona
Nelson Lee Walton
Nicholas Ryan Weber
Darren William White
Ryan Trent Williams
Spencer Ryan Wood
Krista Elizabeth Wyly
Natasha Joelle Wynnyk
Christopher Khachig Yaacoubian
Andrew Yani
Kristina Lee Yee
Sarah Yoosun Youn
Yacoub Younan
Irene Azra Yousefi
Chelsea Nicole Yzaguirre
Ani Zabounyan
Varag Zakarian
Vivian Zakarian
Menoua Zargarian
Mondana Zargarnian
Sarkis Zargaryan
Andre Zenjiryan
Anasik Zohrabi-Masihi
Tatev Zohrabyan
Victoria Eva Zsigmond