Class of 2007:Measured by love

The success of 110 seniors who graduated from Providence High School on Saturday will not be judged today or tomorrow, but in a few decades, said commencement speaker Michael Madden, vice president for advocacy and development at Providence Health and Services.

The list of renowned universities and colleges that graduates will attend next year is only an interim measure of the class’ success, he said.

“The long-term measure is how you become leaders in your community,” Madden told graduates. “I challenge you to make sure that 30 to 40 years from now that when we look at your accomplishments that we can say [2007] was a fantastic year.”

But the crowd of about 500 friends and family members who packed Liberty Hall — nestled in the green expanses of Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills — were ready to proclaim success on Saturday.

The crowd clapped constantly during the 90-minute ceremony, holding back their shouts, screams and noise-makers only at the request of C. Victor LeBreton, the school’s vice principal of discipline and student activities.

Saturday’s ceremony mixed a celebration of the past with optimism for the future.

“Grant us faith and courage to put purpose in our days,” senior and Associated Student Body president Herman Angel Marinero read in a prayer.

Faculty and staff members chose Marinero, from North Hills, to receive the school’s highest honor: the Mother Joseph Award.

Graduate Yvonne E. Kaptein, of Los Angeles, was acknowledged as the class valedictorian; and Glendale resident Gohar Koshkarian was named salutatorian for having the second-highest cumulative grade point average.

The class of 2007 chose senior Alexander C. Jacke, from Los Angeles, to address his classmates, faculty and the sea of friends and family before him — a community he likened to one big, loving family.

“Today is a day not of vindication, not a winning of the race, but a celebration of who we are,” Jacke said.

And the group’s identity is compiled of hundreds of thousands of dear memories — 525,600 to be exact, he said.

“I’ve calculated,” Jacke said. “I’ve done the math … 525,600 memories that were so dear. How do you measure it all? You measure it by love.”

Shortly after the last graduate was named LeBreton finally let the crowd show their support — as loud as they could muster.

Sustained screams filled the air and continued as the graduates streamed out of the hall in their green robes, their tassels turned.

“As we walk into the miraculous California sunset … “ Jacke said. “My friends, my brothers, my sisters, we did it.”

Providence High School Graduates

Celine Abranians

Belinda Hana Adams

Efronia Eve Agazaryan

Daniel Alajajian

Mariana Alvarado

Alice Arabyan

Abraham Constantino

Aramayo

Dennis Alexander Arrue

Michael Ashjian

Adrienne Avanesians

Dariush Azimi

Armine Babayan

Lousine Badalian

Jillian Nicole Bartels

Joel Brioso Bautista

Sarah K. Biggs

Eean Lamont Boles

Sarah Boutros

Roderick Anthony Dexter

Brohier

Stefanie Kristie Cantos

Christopher Allen Carrillo

Isaiah Melchizedek Castaneda

Chantal Lerhea Castillo

Jessika Marilyn Castillo

Marielle L. Chan

Jena Antonia Coffey

Laura Camille Siman Cruz

Liezel M. De Guzman

Diana G. de Leon

Greyson H. Delgado

Annie Der Avedissian

Paul Dinh

Kasey Allen Dizon

Ara E. Durgaryan

Anthony Steven Echavarri

Maya S. El-Darzi

Samantha Feliciano Esguerra

Nicolas Francisco Estrada

Karina Nicole Ford-Moss

Victoria Ann Ganibi

Joseph Benjamin Garcia

Michael Gasson

Angela Samson Gatdula

Arevig Gevorkian

Joseph John Ignatius David

Gopez

Thomas Kiyoshi Gowanlock

Ashley Lynne Guerrero

Tamar Lena Hadjimanoukian

Amanda J. Haney

Heather J. Hansen

Lynette Hartenian

Allison Nicole Hastings

Nathalie Rose Hernandez

Carmie Jean Villamil Ilasco

Alexander C. Jacke

Alyssa Christine Jammal

Yvonne E. Kaptein

Natalie Elizabeth Kasbarian

Suzy Kazarian

Liana Kirakosyan

Armand Raffi Kizirian

Christina Klian

Elizabeth Joyce Knopper

Shant Vazken Kolanjian

Gohar Koshkarian

Megan Samantha Lavadie

Elvin Rey Magsino

Hala Maida

Austin Mardian

Herman Angel Marinero

Jonathan L Martinez

Ethan Charles Mayreis

Shannon Johanna McShane

Lori Irene Mendez

Charles Capati Michael IV

Douglas Steven Moacanin

Brittany Giselle Moraga

Jivan Hrastan Najarian

Raquel Mangosing Netto

Karina D. Nutt

Araksi R. Oganesian

Arthur Oganesyan

Marissa Bacchetta Pearson

Jacqueline Pereira

Ani Pilikyan

Elise Monica Punzalan

Adrienne Qasabian

Alonso Ramirez

Christian Daniel Ramirez

Brett W. Renta

Elizabeth D. Reuter

Nicolas Martija Roca

Melissa L. Rosal

Charlotte Ashley Rosenblum

Jacqueline Ann Roueiheb

Adrian M. Roxas

Zorob Michael Shnoravorian

William A. Slater

Rylan R. Sluiter

Anthony N. Talavera

Marianne Grace Tan

Pateel Tavidian

Aline Tavlian

Tamar Rita Tawilian

Dennis Tak-Yen Tsai

Lauren Elizabeth Upshaw

Armand R. Vergel de Dios

Stephanie Nicole Vuksich

Paige Elizabeth White

Maile A. Yee