GRADUATIONS AND PROMOTIONS: Our Students Finally Get to Walk the Walk After All That Hard Work

Look, dad!

Joshua Natisch with Grace Miller Principal Deanne Spencer and PTA President Julie Harris.

Winners of the Barbara Banker Award, August and Justin, with Ray Banker.

The Bell rings.

With help from a La Verne Heights graduate, assisted by Principal Gary Temkin.

A proud La Verne Heights graduate who will soon be competing in the Junior Olympics.

Many photos of Bonita grads follow...

Dignitaries.

The band always has the best view.

Senior Class Prez George Karatorosyan warms everybody up.

Marty Dumaul on sax playing the national anthem.

Anissa Leong delivers commencement address.

Nareg Avakian, Jarred Barnard, Kelsey Graeber, Dana Meskin and Emily Tucker "Lean" on one another.

Katelyn Spiro sings "The Prayer."

You go, girl! And that goes for all 2010 graduates.

For the 106th time, Bonita High School proudly celebrated the graduation of its senior class, a total of 426 students who had earned the distinct honor and privilege of switching the tassels on their mortarboards from the right to the left, symbolizing the ending of one chapter of their lives and the exciting beginning of another.

Promotions were also held at Ramona Middle School and Grace Miller, La Verne Heights, Oak Mesa and Roynon Elementary Schools in La Verne.

At Bonita, it wasn’t just students showing Bearcat pride; entire families were basking in the accomplishments of their graduating seniors.

“As parents, we’re very proud of her; she did an exceptional job all through high school,” said Adrian Brandon, father of graduating senior Adrianna who is on her way to Fullerton College in the fall.

At Bonita, Adrianna excelled at math and science. “She received a tremendous education at Bonita,” Adrian added. “We’re really pleased with the staff and how they encouraged her and fulfilled her every dream of being a good student.”

The praise from parent Lynn Lusk Sanders was just as effusive. Her daughter Lori had transferred from Western Christian to spend her junior and senior years at Bonita. “I think Lori had a great experience here,” Lynn said.

In the fall, Lori will be out of the house but not too far down the road, majoring in English and photographer at Biola University in La Mirada. Asked about any nervousness she had about her daughter leaving the nest, she said. “It’s sometimes a little hard for her to get up in the mornings, so we’ll see how that goes.”

Seated on the field, Cliff Wurst had a great view of his daughter Chloe Wurst being handed her diploma. Chloe will leave later this summer to attend West Texas and continue her softball career (and study, too).

“I think Chloe had a wonderful time,” Cliff said. “She had some great instructors and teachers. Bonita is a wonderful school.”

At the same time, Cliff and his wife are ready for Chloe to open new doors. “It’s time for her to grow some wings and reach out and new adventures,” said Cliff, who no doubt will be making a few trips to the Lone Star state to see his pitching star in action.

Parent Al Calvanico was in attendance watching his second son, Michael, graduate from Bonita, and like his older boy,  Al, Jr., who attends UCLA, Michael also will be a Bruin in the fall. “I’m just glad my oldest won’t be graduating for another two year,” Al said. “Hopefully, the economy will have improved by then.”

The Le Veque family (Kathryn is president of Bonita’s Instrumental Music Program), was on hand to watch James graduate. James, who helped anchor Bonita’s “Pit” during his years as a Bearcat, is planning a career in law enforcement, following in the steps of his father.

Meanwhile, the Kathermans celebrated the graduation of Liana, who wants to make her mark in international relations. She will start that road by attending Pasadena City College this fall.

Earlier in the day, promotions unfolded at Ramona, Grace Miller, La Verne Heights, Oak Mesa and Roynon. Every promoted student at La Verne Heights got to ring the school’s historic bell, setting off a wave of sound louder than hungry students hitting the playground at lunch time.

At Grace Miller, Principal Deanne Spencer conducted promotion activities in front of the school. After being serenaded by the kindergarten class, parents saw several students take home awards for Perseverance and Perfect Attendance and for being Peace Builders and Star students. Joshual Natiche received a large plaque for his design of a new school logo. Also, students Justin and August were the proud recipients of the Barbara Banker Award. Barbara was the beloved secretary for many years at Grace Miller. Her son Ray presented the award.

LaVerneOnline wishes it could have been at every ceremony, but know that we celebrate your students’ great accomplishments and hope to highlight many more of them in the years ahead.