HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL:

Hoover High School Principal Kevin Welsh knew the class of 2009 was unique when he saw the students dancing at their prom.

“It’s the anti-freaking class,” he told an audience at the school’s football field for the seniors’ graduation ceremony Friday, explaining that the students had “danced appropriately” during their final high school dance.

“I’ve never had a class like that,” he said, drawing laughs from the audience. “I’ll never forget you.”

Senior class advisor Nareg Keshishian also noticed an important quality in the diverse group of students during the school’s prom, he said.

All of the students were on the dance floor until the end of the evening, dancing together among classmates of different backgrounds, Keshishian said.

“I’ve never seen that,” he said. “You are a very united group of people.”

Students shared similar observations about their peers. At a school with a history of racial divisions between Armenians and Latinos and other minority groups, the class of 2009 had a unique ability to join together in harmony, they said.

“This class has shown we have incredible strength in the face of adversity,” class valedictorian Amy Drummond told the audience.

Students sat in white chairs on the field, with boys wearing purple caps and gowns and girls wearing white as the sun set to the west of the packed bleachers.

Graduates said they would miss friends, teachers and the diversity of their campus community, but there was one thing that the group was happy to leave behind: construction.

From Toll Middle School to Hoover, the class of 2009 had gone through their educational careers with the sounds of hammers, drills and saws passing through the walls of classrooms for the better part of the last seven years, they said.

“It was just a burden,” senior Raymond Chigani said of the constant work crews that diverted students from walkways, classrooms and even a Hoover quad.

Still, the experience at Hoover had been “life-changing” for senior Alexandra Camacho-Platas, who didn’t have a clear post-high-school plan until she took an Advanced Placement psychology class, she said.

“I took that class kind of unsure what I wanted to do with my life, and after I took that course I realized it was my passion,” she said. Welsh commended the group on their accomplishments, which included a total of $1.1 million in earned scholarships, along with about 41,000 hours of completed community service.

The vast majority of the graduates, 78% of the group, opted to move on to community colleges, a “wise choice” during difficult financial times, Welsh said.

Many of the graduates will move on to public and private universities, but Supt. Michael Escalante urged them to remember that hard work and perseverance would be key to moving the successful group on to better things.

“Realize that if you pass through life and you rely on your talents alone, you will not be successful,” he said.

CLASS OF 2009

Astgik Abasyan

Andranik Andy Abeshian

Edward Alek Abramian

Jania Abramian

Jonathan Acevedo

Andrew Adamian

Jonathan Adrias

Estella Aghababian

Ara Clay Aghakhanian

Naner Aghamal

Paulette Aghayan

Daniel Aguirre

Meghmik Aivazian

Nzhdeh Alaverdyan

Matthew Ilano Alberto

Michael Alchermes

Zariat Faisal Ali

Iven Allahverdi

Vanessa Andrade

Maria Angelique Singh Ang

Elvina Antonyan

Natalie Aparicio

Armen Arakelyan

Lilit Arakelyan

Diana Irene Ardaryan

Jose Argueta Paredes

Stephanie Arreola

Ani Arshakyan

Yevgine Arzumanian

Ani Asatryan

Gevork Asatryan

Mina Nagy Askander

Gina Aslanyan

Irina Aslanyan

Trisha Salagubang Atienza

Peter Attallah

Tammy Attallah

Artyom Avagyan

Artak Avakian

Talin Avanesian

Grigor K Avetisyan

Jessica Avila

Carolina M Aviles

Casey Marie Avina

Vivian Gaby Awad

Aris Andres Azarian

Vardan Azizian

Setrak Manouk Azrenkassian

Selin Babakhani

Angineh Athena Babakhanians

Grigor Babayan

Knarik Babayan

Lilit Babayan

Aida Bagdasaryan

Narek Baghdasarians

Arin Baghermian

Chelsea Baqueiro

Anahed Barakhyan

Taik Barfian Namagerdi

Arvin Barkazian

Maricruz Barrera

Ryan Jay Barrera

Erika E Barrientos

Orbel Barseghian

Argisht Barsegyan

Amal Fatima Basravi

Leah Sarah Bazik

Arsineh Bedrosian

Ashley Bennett

Elaine Gonzales Bernardo

Patrick Arin Bidkhanian

Stephanie Blanks

Armig Maria Boghigian

Vaneh Bolboli Khouyegani

Wyatt Andrew Bowers

Zareh George Boyadjian

Jasmine Shanay Brunson

Solomon J Brunson

Tysan Xavier Kamuela Budd

Alexis Kristine Burkot

Aram Burushyan

Zlatan Cabaravdic

Rachel Angela Cacciatore

Alexandra Isabel Camacho Platas

Nikolas Alessandro Carapia

Elizabeth Carrillo

Anthony Catarinicchia

Michael Daniel Cavin

Vanessa Adriana Cejudo

Kevin Michael Centrone

Ingrid Sucely Chavarria

James Peter Chavez

Raymond K. Chigani

Hyun Jae Cho

Hyun Soo Cho

Joseph Choi

Mehnaaz Mahzabeen Chowdhury

Kevin Contreras

Caryl Cordova

Noe Isack Corona

Jamie Noel Crockett

Cecilia Cruz

Pilar Itzel Cruz

Melani G Danoukh

Gevork George Darakhchyan

Gor Darbinyan

Arpine Davitian

Matthew Alexander Davitian

Edgar Davoudian

Davit Davtyan

Joshua Louis Deaktor

Richard D Deione

Denise E Delgado

Arys Dembekjian

Narbeh Derafshkavan

Norvan Deravanesian

Lilian Dergevorkian

Laurence Sanchez Devera

Alice Dilanchian

Haig H Dolmaian

Michael Anthony Dorado

Rachel Caitlin Doran

Amy Kathleen Drummond

Harout Dzhansuzyan

Bijan Bryan Eghtesady

Nalini Jasmine Elias

Michael Montana Emling

Barry Hyatt Emrey

Patrick Ara Eskandari

Pateel Tazian Eulmessekian

Levi Factora

Alejandro C Fajardo

Daryl Fajardo

Daisy Favela

Reinnier Bhenj Fernandez

Nicole Irene Figueroa

Isabella Franco

Erica Frias

Patrice Nicole Dinglasan Fuentebella

Hera Gabri

Christina S Galadjian

Jose Galan

Roneal Abrian Galang

Erick Galdamez

Chintan Akhil Gandhi

Rita Janet Garabedian

Narine Ani Garibyan

Nara Gasparian

Arvin Ghademianc

Arineh Christina Ghadimi

Gomer Ghadimian

Mineh Gharamanian

Manouel Gharapetrian

Selina Gharibian

Arpine Gharibyan

Aden Ghazari Moghadam

Arlet Ghazarian

Meline Ghazaryan

Emil Ghookassian Khoy

Ivan Ricardo Gomez

Artur Grigorian

Evana Sabine Grigorian

Kristy Anne Magno Guiuan

Hasmig Nelli Gumrikyan

Nora Hacikian

Ani Hagopian

Haik Hairapetian

Mindy Hairapetian

Enet Hakhordian

Andranik Hakobyan

Anashe Hakopiannik

Angelika Hakopyan

Jude Souhail Halawi

Wasseem Hamadani

Diana N Hanna

Sevan Harootonian Khoy

Ani Haroutunyan

Arotin Hartounian

Nune Harutyunyan

Perni Hayrapetian

Jazzlyn Davina Henry

Brian Hernandez

John C Hernandez

Rocio Yharettzy Hernandez

Marisol Hernandez Molina

Melissa Herrera

Timothy James Hite

Seong Hee Hong

Jacob Jan Hoogenhuizen

Klara Eliza Hoonanian

Farzan Hosseini

Aaron Housep

Meghedie Hovanesian

Hagop Hovhannesian

Areg Hovsepyan

Sara Elizabeth Howell

Anna Hunanyan

Michael Silvio Iezza

Lusine Jessica Igraryan

Edwin Isagholian

Lousine Isayan

Melinda Ismailian

Anahid Jamshidian

Jin Sung Jang

Arthur Janumyan

Ah Rom Jeon

William Leonard Jones

Dylan M Jonic

Esther Jung

Suk Hwan Jung

Davit David Kajikian

Norik Karamian

Armo Karapet

Rayan Karapet

Narineh Karimian

Rene Tomik Karimyance

Emin Kazar Mikaelian

Siunik Keshishi

Romela Keshishian

Arpine Khachikyan

Sela Khachikyan

Sose Khachikyan

Suzie Khachikyan

Loris Khajehkian

Serpouhi Suzi Khazikian

Saira J Khimani

Nazeli Khodabakhsh

Araz Khodjasaryan

Raymond Khoodian

Lilia Khosrovyan

Arpine Khudanyan

Dong Hyun Kim

Edward Kim

Gun Soo Kim

Janet Kim

Jung Yeon Kim

Rachel Yung Kim

Rosemary J Kim

Tiffany Hana Kim

Young Su Kim

Min Ji Ko

Agnesa Kocharyan

Jessica Kong

Gyaneh Alexandria Krikorian

Elizabeth Yegsapet Kulikyan

Anahit Anny Kurginyan

Nohelia La Torre Saldana

Karen Lacayo

Johnathan Cody Laws

Seong Hyun Lee

Grace Unhae Lee

Grace Lee

Ji Hye Lee

Judy Lee

Min Young Lee

Yeon Seok Lee

Christopher Allen Lepe

Jessica Thalia Llontop

Christian Rosario Lomeli

Ernesto Eduardo Lopez

Elizabeth Lopez Corrales

Andrew J Lujan

Diana V Ly

Luismar E Macias

Eric Temponi Maleky

Poulineh Manasi

Roni Manasi

Babgen Manookian

Sevan Manougian

Roni Manouki

Sevan Manoukian

Raisa Mansur

Razmik Mardirossian

Sarkis Mardirossian

Melanis Markar

Aneta Markaryan

Juan Francisco Martinez

Gevorg Martirosian

Arpine Matevosyan

Yelena Matevosyan

Aleen E Matiossian

Shant Sambat Megerdichian

Narineh Megrdichian

Syed Ali Akber Mehdi

Dalar Mehrabian

Newsha Mehrabian

Frederick Mejia

Oscar Mejia

Knar Meloyan

Hannah J Mendoza

Mariel Grace Reyes Mendoza

Nikko Eric Mendoza

Andrew Michael

Andre Micheal Miller

Liana Miloyan

John Varoujan Minasian

Menoa Mirzakhani

Erna Mitaishvili

Bless Montajes

Samantha Lee Morgan

Sevana Moses

Kajo Movsesian

Menooa Movsesian

Meri Movsesian

Lorella Multini

Monica Munoz

Hayk Muradyan

Meline Musakhanyan

Annette Nadimyan

Talena Nahapetian

Sarkis Najaryan

Kristina Nalbandian

Armenuhi Armineh Nalbandyan

Martin Natian

Adena Navasartian

Sven Navasartian

Arvin Nazari

Arpi Nazaryan

Steven Nguyen

Soo Yeon Noh

Soo Yeoun Noh

Irma Alejandra Obregon

Adam Clay Ochart

Suzanna Ogandzhanyan

Michell Sunyung Ohm

Brianna Ashley Olivas

Oscar A Olivo

Christian Olvera Esparza

Marie Bernadette Paguio Ong

Vana Orojian

Alisa Ovsepyan

Arnold Ovsepyan

Sheena Marie Paet

Steve Hwan Pak

Holly Paniagua

Nita Panosian

Nairi Papukyan

Colleen Eun Park

Gunwoo Park

Ki Nam Park

Won Sun Park

Leza Patatanian

Carina Perez

Flor Perez

Neene Pirjanlou

Mihaeli K Portilla

Tamkanat Qamar

Kristtel Quesada

Niloufar Rahimi Gaeini

Gilberto Ramirez

Andre Ratavousian

Megan Gerard Reilly

Natalie Danielle Renteria

Laura Nicole Restrepo

Pamela Rodezno

Jeanette Rodriguez

Oscar Rodriguez

Ibon Elizabeth Roman

Emily Romero

Melissa Romero

Jonathan Amir Saboury

Argin Safaei

Mollania Safarian

Eric Sahakian

Ilya Sahakyan

Jose A Salamanca

Gabrielle Hanna Salazar

Angela Marie Sanchez

Karla Deyanira Sanchez

Kevork George Sapunjian

Adrian Sergio Sarabia

Orbel Sarkisian

Armond Sarkissian

Ina Sarkissian

Nela Sarkissian

Teodik Sarkissian

Linet Sarkisyan

Mesrop Sarkisyan

John Alexander Saulog

Talene Savadian

China Jade Schmidt

Alexandra Kaitlin Vega Senoran

Saeiri Sepanian Soroushkani

Tigran Serobyan

Jenia Shah Veladian

Alisha Shahbazian

Katherine Lisa Shahbazian

Biatris Shahnazarian

Anna Shakaryan

Arpi Shamirzaeian

Erik Shanazari

Matthew Arsen Sharbatian

Aldona Shaumyan

Joyce Shin

Yun Jeung Shin

Matthew Nilo V. Shinn

Joseph Benjamin Marquez Siasat

Aurelio Silva

David Andrew Simon

David Simonyan

Davit Simonyan

Taguhi Smbatyan

Jason Ventura Soliva

Vanessa S Sosa

Christian Andre Spillari

Deny Inwoo Sung

Carlo Miguel Ignacio Supan

Jessica Sumner Swan

Harold Mauricio Tabora

Anasheh Tahmasian S

Eileen Ter-Arutyunyan

Mikhael Levon Ter-Bagdasarian

Armenak Armen Ter-Petrosyan

Arman Terrell

Roger Lee Thrasher Iii

Daryl M Tippens

Luis Tlapa

Donald Kirby Tolentino

Armen Tomanian

Jesus Torres

Brian Martin Trejo Rivera

Nicole Brianna Trujillo

Alicia G Tunstad

Martin David Turdjian

Grace Zandra Tuzon

Christopher Urbina

Victoria R Uribe

Elline Antoniette Seggay Valiente

Andy Vardanyan

Marissa Jacqueline Vasquez

Stephanie Vasquez

Clarence James Rarela Vergara

Samantha Marie White

Erin Maureen Womack

Kenneth Wong

Kevin Jan Keon Wong

Evan Yaghsaeian

Erik Yandyan

Esther Yang

Rebecca Yang

Atina Yeghyaian

Lucas Santino Yepez

Narineh Mariam Yermian

Agapeh Yeromian

George F Yoo

Isaac Chung Yoon

Young Youn

Dalar Yousefi

Karapet Yumchadzhyan

Sewada Zadoorian

Sion Zadorian Milagerdi

Allen Zakaria

Zohrab Zargari

Zarineh Zargarian

Derenik Zaroukian

Sonia Herranz Zelezny

Polina Zeynalian

Romina Zograbian

Arman Zograbyan