‘Never forget the power you have’
Burbank High School’s 100th senior class went out in style Friday during a graduation ceremony that featured rousing musical performances at the Starlight Bowl.
The school’s orchestra and award-winning choir performed sets that stirred excitement among graduates, including one that combined the sounds of “Somethin’s Comin’” from West Side Story and rapper Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”
The musical exhibition showcased just part of the talent that Burbank High’s centennial class brought to the school, said Tessa Register, the senior speaker.
“As a class, we are so much more than just the 100th group of kids to walk across this stage,” she said.
The school’s sports teams, clubs and student activities, including the first-ever class to host a prom on a yacht, put the group in a category of its own, she said.
Technology and diversity had also made the group’s high school experience unique, transforming it from what other generations might have gone through, students said, citing Burbank High’s array of cultural groups and the class’ affinity for text messaging and YouTube.
“We know streaming videos of ‘Charlie the Unicorn’ is as educational as it is entertaining,” said Nicole Battaglia, one of the school’s two valedictorians, drawing applause from the audience.
Students said they were excited to move on from high school, but reflected on simple parts of their routines that they would miss.
While some were sad to leave the school, others said they were still taking in the weight of the day.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” said Ani Zarian.
Zarian talked of her goal of becoming a forensic scientist, one that grew out of a crime lab exercise organized by her science teacher, Rebecca Cooper.
She said she will remember Burbank High for giving her inspiration.
Principal Bruce Osgood, reflecting on the thousands of students who had graduated from the school during its 100 years, discussed the commitment to public service that has been displayed by former students.
More than 90 graduates had gone on to serve in the armed forces, he said, and hundreds had volunteered for service groups and organizations and even joined the Peace Corps.
Now the weight of contributing to society would fall to the latest group of graduates, he said.
“You’re not graduating from any high school. You’re graduating from Burbank High School,” he said, his voice trembling.
Although the world’s problems would make it easy for students to feel discouraged from striving to make a difference, this group had a unique source of inspiration, said Yihwan Kim, also a valedictorian.
Kim talked about a hopeful politician who had tried to run for office and personally funded his own campaign, but lost in a primary election, gaining half the votes of his opponent.
Defeated, he was encouraged to visit his party’s convention and attended only to realize that he had used all his money campaigning and his credit card was declined when he attempted to rent a car. When he eventually arrived at the convention, he was denied a credential.
That man was future President Barack Obama, and an important example for the class of 2009, Kim said.
“Never forget the power that you have, and never forget what you can do,” he said.
THE GRADS
Aderonke O. Aderonmu
Vicken George Antounian
Romik Rene Barseghian
Nicole Marie Battaglia
Kia Marie Blomberg
Lucine Byurat
Michelle Marie Chang
Grata Seong Won Chung
Kristin Danielle Crawford
Elvira Derhovsepian
Eliza Beatriz Diaz
Seychelle Gabriel
Taryn Irene Gardner
Alyssa Marie Gerharter
Danny Hadaya
Ashley Deanna Harvey
Caitlyn Chiyomi Hirahara
Michelle Annette Hovsepyan
Gloria Jay Jung
Goar Kagramanian
Nare Karabekyan
Tarundeep Kaur
Marina M. Ketchedjian
Joshua Kim
Tae Rim Kim
Yihwan Kim
Matthew Kenzo Kurihara
Ji Su Lee
Alexandra Rae Lilienfeld
Patricia Lopez
Michael Maidaa
Lina Manoukian
Kristen Clarisse Maynor
Jocelyne Andrea Mazariegos
Lynwood Francis McCassie
Logan Edward McConkay
Karen Guadalupe Mendez Cardona
Taylor Nicole Morton
Rebecca Patricia Murray
Amanda Noriko Newman
Maria Daniela Nina
Eliza Ani Papazian
Suzanna Papazyan
Gina Jeanhee Park
Spencer Montan
Lita Christine David Patel
Grace Helen Jimenez
Molly Elizabeth Perez
Alexandra Nowell Hellebrandt
Sousanna Pogosyan
Ricardo Martinez
Rosalinda Pozos
Maricruz Rodriguez
Melissa Madeleina Romero
Matthew Ryan Rosell
Kimberly L. Sazon
Javier Silva
Anna Simonyan
Amanda Songstad
Benjamin Zachary Taylor
Nare Torosyan
Alex Vartanian
Dennis Brian Wassem
Kristen Colleen Williams
Jong Won Yang
Jae Kyung Yeon
Pyung Hwa Yi
Sevana Zadourian
Alexander Marwan Abbasi
Brittany Lenae Abbott
Christina Abdoyan
Viytta Abdullatif
Natasha Abuata
Simon Andres Acevedo
Marianna Agazaryan
Leea Aghajani
Arneh Aghakhani
Daniel N. Aguilar
David Aguilar
Grecia Aracely Aguilar
Delia Akbari
Elyssa Victoria Alarcon
Casaundra Justine Alcantar
Stephanie Alcaraz
Andre Alexandrian
Marine V. Alexanian
Narbeh Allahyari
Cassandra Amy Almaraz
Alexander Altamirano
Felix Alejandro Alvarado
Gevork Amazaspyan
Kristina S. Amela
Victoria Lucy Amran
Araeik Amranian
Ha Young An
Ashley Nicole Anderson
Boris Antonyan
Lissette Anzo
Dvin Apelian
Ligia Aquino
Jack Arakelian
Yeram Arshakyan
Anthony Asadorian
Alina Aslanian
Josue M. Atayde
Andre Avanessians
Edgar Avetisyan
Anai Ayala
Suzy Aylozyan
Robert Ayrapetyan
Hovhannes Azaryan
Nareg Babayans
Daniel M. Baghdasarian
Tina Baghdassarian
Lilya Baghmouri
Sevak Baghramyan
Jima Ballan
Arvin Baroni
Parisa Basirgilani
Jared Michael Baxter
Lyudvig Richard Berberyan
Mark Beristain
Chris Andrew Berner
Jennifer Krystine Bettis
Chantal Sophia Sparling Bevard
Monique Vixtoria Bowman
Jacqueline Boyadzhyan
Niesha Sarai Braggs
Keenan Harrison Brand
Jacob Andrew Brogno
Courteney Ann Brown
Kenia Araceli Bustillos
Mary Tess Butera
Benjamin David Byram
Lisett Cabanillas
Michael Ryan Callahan
Cody Wayne Cardenaz
Luis Carlos Jr
Gustaf Martin Carlson
Tanner Daniel Cassandra
Bryan Alexander Castaneda
Dominique Kimberley Castano
Cassandra Lynn Castillo
Suzy Chalabian
Silva Chamichyan
Armineh Chilingaryan
Hakop Jack Chilingaryan
Heather B. Cho
Avylynn M. Chowdhury
Chanel Sun Chun
Zack Cohen
Christopher Sean Cole
Angel Contreras
Mainor Luis Corado
Adam Randall Coria
Oliver Timothy Covington
Lauren Nicole Crimeni
Omar Kenji M. Cruz
Mousa Dagher
Narineh Dallakian
Sophia Louisa D’Andrea
Georgiy Danielyan
Arby Danyelians
Alexander Antonio Davis
Argam Davoodi
Arian Davoudian
Brandon Dawson
Steven Andrew De Caro
Christian De Guzman
Jose Juan De La Cruz
Laura Joyce De La Rosa
Tiffany Elizabeth De Ramus
Anthony Daniel De Santiago
Fahad Dean
Jonathan Kaifu DeSimone
Christopher Dong
Meaghan Elizabeth Doorley
Ashton Jay Drewello
Jack Raffi Durgaryan
Jessica April Dye
Yegia Dzhandzhikyan
Emma Lois Eaton
Maryam Amr Elgeneidy
Ryan Teall Elliott
Sara Elzein
Daniel Escobar
Michelle Escobar
Robert Alexis Escobar
Christian Alexander Esguerra
Angelica Espiritu
Albert Joseph Esquivel
John Dariuse Fagerholm
Jose Alverto Fernandez
Amanda Lynn Fiendel
Brittney Danielle Fierro
Anthony Figueroa
Timothy Chrys Fisher
Andy Flores
Crystal Angelia Flores
Lillian Noemi Flores
Melody Lynn Flores
Melody Rose Florez
Michael Brian Regala Francisco
Denise Frausto
Nancy Frausto
Ashley Arnae Frazier
Kolbert Rolland Galeano
Nicole Danielle Galicia
Nathan Galles
Lilit Galoian
Deborah May Galvan
Nancy Galvan
Justin C. Gammel
Jessica Garcia
Karla Marie Garcia
Kimberly Garcia
Vincent Alan Garcia
Marten Garibkhanyan
Corinth Faith Gabriel Gata
Gevork Gazaryan
Anton Adolf Geuping
Ayleen Patricia Gevondyan
Vanik Gevorgyan
Leah Ghadimi
Lilit Ghalumian
Derrick Gharabighi
Arkadik Gharibian
Kevin Ghazery
Justin Adam Gibbs
Jared Paul Goff
Perine Golbudakyan
Jonathan Golden
Adam Sean Goldman
Christian Omar Gomez
Luis Gomez
Patricia Ashley Gomez
Andrea Virginia Gonzalez
Joseph Alexander Gonzalez
Natalie Anet Gregor
Courtney A. Griffin
Gevorg Grigorian
Ma Josephine Domalaon Guevara
Marina Gulasarian
Christopher R. Guzman
Ernest Gyolchyan
Yvonne Hai Duong Ha
Narine Hajinyan
Mohamed Allie Hariri
Jacob Harmon
Janet Haroutunian
Natalie Haroutunian
Deanna Lynn Harris
Jeremy Harris
Brittany Alexandria Harrison
Kerry Rae Harrison
Zipyour Hartounyan
Arno Harutunyan
Arsen Harutyunyan
Tigran Harutyunyan
Katherine Annette Hatch
Carlie Danielle Hauer
Kaitlin Elizabeth Hayes
Ashley K. Heard
Rachel Moriah Heizer
Alexis B. Hernandez
Liana C. Hernandez
Michael Gregory Hernandez
Adrian Jose Hernandez Jr
Elizabeth Hernandez-Contreras
Brian Herrera
Luis Daniel Herrera
Ian Holmes
Hrant Hovakimyan
Hamestoui Hovanessian
Ani Hovasapyan
Arman Hovsepian
Marianna Hovsepyan
Eileen Radiance Huggins
Alexander Timothy Hulett
Kevin James Hunter
Alexander Luis Ibarra
Mariel Isis Ibarra
Adis Isayan
Edit Isayan
Anoush Ismailian
Nicholas Issakhanian
Amjad Jahjah
Julian Jaramillo
Wesley Jarasunas
Rim Jayoghli
Zoe Anita Johnson
Jesus Juarez
Ba Ro Jung
Isaac Youil Kang
Jun Young Kang
Gracy Ann Kantzabedian
Tara Karamians
Harry Harout Karaoglanian
Rosemary Karapetian
Ani Karapetyan
Marine Karapetyan
William Randall Karraker
John Kassab
Madalyn Jessica Kearney
Caleb Trent Keller
Aaron Keshishian
Leo Khachatorians
Armine Amy Khachatrian
Khachatour Christopher Khachatryan
Lilit Khachikyan
Louie George Khalil
Steven Khalil
Arpi Khanpapyan
Brandon Ray Kilby
Bradley Joseph Kim
Christine Yiae Jee Kim
HeeSoo Kim
Sung Hoon Kim
Johnathan Paul Kipers
Agnesa Kirakosyan
Gor Kirakosyan
Lilit Kirakosyan
Yesayi Kirakosyan
Michelle Kojakehyanyan
Tyler Korb
Shahan Haig Krakirian
Hasmik Krpoyan
Sarkis Kulakchyan
Marine Kupalyan
Han Sun Kwon
Rachel Erin Lampert
Barry Langer
Arianna Lanier
Paden Thomas Lapwing
Jesse Ray Lau
Stephanie Laureano Santiago
Jamenie Velasco Lazaro
George Arthur Lebo
Jason Junn Lee
Tae Min Lee
Armenuhi Lekhlyan
Stewart C. Leon
Abigail Marie Basco Leonen
Christopher Andrew Lewis
Lindsay Nicole Lewis
Ivory O’Neill Leyva-Ferguson
Benjamin J. Lim
Elissa Sarah Loera
Chelsea Nicole Looby
Anthony Lora
Kimberly Denise Lugo
Carlos Lupercio
Bernabe Bautista Macaraeg Jr.
Victoria Cristal Magrini
Arotin Mahmoudian
Rodrek Mahmoudian
David Pandukht Malakian
Sharis Manoukian
Mikia Mansourian
Hakop Manukyan
Anie Manvelyan
Michele Quinones Mapoy
Gamer Darius Margoosian
Shant Ikiaghaj Markarian
Justin Aaron Maroldi
Vahe Grigor Martikian
Adriana Martinez
Amada Acuna Martinez
Brandon Edward Martinez
Jose Maria Mata
Teddy Matavosian
Ishkhanuhi Matevosyan
Erin Marie Mc Donald
Michael Dillon Mc Donald
Breanna Gabrielle McFarlane
Nelson Jose Medal
Beatris Megerdichian
Emil Mehrabian
Joseph Mehrabians
Michael Meksian
Adana Mary Melkonian
Daniel Erick Mena
Erika Jasmin Mendoza
Talin Mirzaei
Kristina Emma Mirzoyan
Iris Elena Mitchell
Kevin Daniel Mitchell
Andranik Mkrtchyan
Vahe Mkrtchyan
Darrin Moen
Kelsy Marie Moise
Caitlyn Breana Momeny
Christine Nicole Montalvo
Ava Montoya
Emily Ann Moon
Audrey Mora
Stuwart Adam Morales
Melissa Elizabeth Moreno
Annie Mouradian
Madeline Kathleen Muldoon
Sarbelio Alex A. Munoz
Linda Muradyan
Chelsea Madaline Myers
Ara Nakhikyan
Lizbeth A. Naranjo
Hrant Narinyan
Lisa C. Navarro
Anthony Joseph Naylor
Lina Nazarian
Arno Nazaryan
Raffi Nazaryan
Christina Nazlikian
Katie Lynne Nelson
Joseph Nerlinger
Ani Sira Nersesian
Patricia Anabel Ngo
Quang Minh Ngo
Katie Tu Uyen Nguyen
Stefy Nudel
Steven Ocegueda
Alexandra O’Connor
Anna Oganesyan
Narek Ohanian
Jacklyn Nichele Ontiveros
Charlotte Louise Orme
Marissa Danelle Ortega
William Ortega
Vahan Ouzounian
Mary Ovakyan
Gayana Ovsepyan
Henry Ovsepyan
Christopher F. Pacheco
Andres Felipe Paez
Sabastiano Pardo
David Jinhyung Park
David Hyun So Park
Charlene Adriana Parrales
Karishma R. Patel
Dalar Patrossian
Robert Gregory Pecache
Kristin Laurel Peraza
Dion Michael Perez
Fabian A. Perez
Luis A. Perez
Sara Jeannette Perez
Luis Alberto Pineda
Antonio Piralyan
Ashot Piramzyan
Herman Popoca
Moises Alberto Portillo
Gabriela Preciado
Haley Alexander Press
Monica Michelle Prunier
Nicholas Bryan Pulido
Jamie Distor Punit
Sara Siri Puranan
Cynthia Giselle Quintana
Richard Anthony Raad
Walter Ramos
Emily Kathryn Reed
Tessa Margaret Register
Matthew Isiah G. Respicio
Chelsey Rose Reynolds
Astrid Lorena Rios Reyes
Lissette Rivera
Katherine Ngoc Rizzo
Cristina Robbins
Taylor Marie Roberts
Erine Camille Robles
Brian Rochana
Ashley Milena Rodriguez
Charlene Stephanie Rodriguez
Danielle Melissa Rodriguez
Allan Blake Rojas
Evelyn M. Romero
Jared Preston Roundtree
Gerardo Sabas
Alice Sadoyan
Edwin Safsar
Ayli Sahtah
Lara Caresse Saikali
Marcus Bruce C Salangsang
Saly G. Salloum
Crystal Elizabeth Salvatierra
Greta Evelyn Sanamyan
Cindy Stacey Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez
Sarah Pamela Sanchez
Pete Sangsuriyakul
Arnold Santiago
Danny Moises Santos-Cotoc
Lizette Sarabia
Yamen Sarah
Charles Scott Sargent
Sarineh Sarian
Brandon Alexander Scher
Lauren Katherine Schroeder
Steven Michael Schubert
Samantha Chloe Scott
Kenny Michelle Ragos Sellers
Sona A. Sepetci
Sandro Shahmoradian
Tegran Shakhbazyan
Jonathan Ivaro Shammas
Abigail Trudy Shoaf
Ashleigh Nicole Renee Simons
Sarmen Sinanian
Ranbir Singh
Sevak Aram Soibatian
Oliver James Soriano
Melissa Alexendra Soto
Yvonne Soto
Alyssa Anne Stage
Elizabeth Sarah Starkand
Vrezh Grey Stepanian
Mary Stepanyan
Samantha Marie Surtida
Andriana Starr Tamamian
Ariga Tarverdi Masihi
Erik Tatos
Maryam Tavakoli
Sasoon Tavoosian
Janelle Kimberly Taylor
Michael Taylor
Mohammad Al Quin Chan Tayong
Lidia Termanyan
Ani S. Ter-Nshanian
Margaret Ter-Stepanyan
Diana A. Terzyan
Dante Stephen Theard
Jessica Aileen Tidwell
Jessica Tokatlian
Arman Torosyan
Ivan Torres
Natalie B. Torres
Justin Michael Torvinen
Anita Toshomal Yrouz
Liani Kae Tremor
Geoffrey Thomas Tyndall
Lusine Lucy Ulikyan
Amberlynn Rose Olivia Ullo
Rosaura Beatriz Uribe
Ashley Lorraine Valdes
Andrew Richard Valencia
Ashley Anai Valencia
Danielle H. Valenzuela
Adriana Emilia Valladares
Ani Vardanian
Arakel Vardazaryan
Cynthia Melissa Vargas
Alex Vartanian
Narek Vartunian
Enrique Vasquez
Alberto Vazquez
Kimberly Vega
Kimberly Elaine Vega
Adiel Velazquez
Veronica Viado
Nicholas Charles Viebahn
Norelvy Guadalupe Villacorta
Leanna L. Viray
Trevor James Wakefield
Darian Shaquille Walker
Joel David Waller
Andre Nicola Warda
Richard Wayne Western
Sabrina Rose Whaley
Daniele Nicole White
Jenny Catherine Williams
Ashley M. Wilson
Michael Hunter Win
Kieran Joseph Wolf
Cassandra Wright
Scott Akio Yamamoto
Andrea Yanez
Ani Yeghnazar
Araik Yegiazaryan
Justin Sanghoon Yim
Adib Younan Jr
Henoharzhis Yousefi
Jong Hak Yuk
Steven Yun
Christian Tolentino Yuson
Dareh Zadoorian
Mark Zakour
Michelle Marylin Zamora
Jordan Christopher Zander-Madrid
Ani Zarian
Jonathan Antonio Zelaya
Ruben Janos Zsigmond