A surprise for PVHS graduation

The graduates of Pajaro Valley High School hurl their caps to finalize their commencement Thursday at Cabrillo College. (Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian)

APTOS — After the Pajaro Valley High School class of 2012 had received their diplomas and had performed the tassel ceremony Thursday, principal Frank Rodriguez simply dismissed the new graduates.

It was an uncharacteristic gesture for a ceremony that traditionally ends with the seniors throwing their mortarboards into the air. Instead, they walked away somberly, much to the bewilderment of the crowd.

It was a stunning anti-climax.

Little did the audience know that the seniors had a huge surprise for everyone.

In an instant, the sound system unleashed a booming tune, “Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar, and the entire class snapped back around in a tightly choreographed dance.

The surprise seemed to double the excitement as the graduates rocked to and fro and the beat of the music pulsated over the stadium.

Near the end of the tune the graduates, again in unison, hurled their caps sky high to a roar of applause from the crowd.

Assistant Principal Deanna Young called the school’s fifth graduating class, “probably the most on-fire, motivated group we’ve had.”

Principal Frank Rodriguez said that 90 percent of the students plan on attending college, while 32 got a 3.75 grade point average or better. The majority of them, he said, exceeded their community service requirements.

“It’s always a pleasure to do this, but somehow we’ve made a special connection with these kids,” Rodriguez said. “The world is going to get a handful of very prepared kids.”



For the complete article see the 06-09-2012 issue.

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