Moving to the next chapter

Laguna Beach High celebrated 260 of its graduating seniors last Thursday at the 2010 evening commencement ceremony at the Irvine Bowl.

Robert Chew, a star member of the water polo and swim teams, was named valedictorian. He completed high school with a 4.7 grade-point average.

The student speaker was Associated Student Body President Victoria Ellis, who shared with classmates, family and friends her touching story of accomplishment and success, even through personal hardship.

The senior class elected science teacher Alonda Hartford to deliver the speech from faculty.

Principal Don Austin said the school has made a strong effort to “get out of the ‘sweatshirt’ dilemma,” by encouraging kids to pick schools for the right fit and not for the (Ivy League) name on the sweatshirt.

Austin said that, while a handful of the senior class are en route to Yale, Brown or Stanford, most will attend other prestigious universities to follow their passions.

“The class of 2010 is kind, caring, bright, ambitious and full of potential,” Austin said. “I am confident that this group of kids will do great things in their lives.”