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