Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/04/2010 12:28 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 06/04/2010 09:17 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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John Vierra High School Graduation Class of 2010 ~by Local Author Charity Maness
Angels Camp, CA...John Vierra Independent Study High School, class of 2010, graduated a whopping 33 students the evening of June 2, 2010. With the traditional pomp and circumstance the graduates entered the Bret Harte theater proudly wearing their royal blue cap and gowns with their bright gold tassels swaying accordingly on the left. After a welcome, introduction of staff and the pledge of allegiance, awards were given. Cinthia Miramontes received an ESSA award and the Rotary Student of the quarter award. Nagawa Hightower .....
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received the Columbia College Foundation Future Vision Award, entitling her to a years’ tuition and fees at Columbia College. Shaira Hegel received a Stan Monticello Memorial Scholarship. Women of the Moose also delivered a generous scholarship to Brooke Holmquist. Jordan Lee received the John Vierra High School Recognition of Achievement award, recognizing her dedication to education.
Commencement speaker Nagawa Hightower thanked the school for “giving her a greater desire to learn” adding a special thanks to her teacher, Simone Clements, calling her “my teacher, mentor, and cheerleader” throughout her more difficult times. Following the commencement speech a talented young man by the name of Austin Richardson performed an acoustic guitar solo to a hushed theater.
As each graduate walked forward to receive their diploma, a small speech that each had written earlier was read by Principal Matt Strahl. Many thanked their family, friends, teachers and God. Ian Straus summed it all up very well by saying, “I would like to thank my mother for raising such a fine young man.”
John Vierra High School, which opened its doors in 1997, is an independent study program for students grade nine through twelve. Originally the program was gear towards “students who are medically fragile, need to work to support themselves and/or their families” also “college bound and highly motivated” students wishing to complete high school requirements to move on at a faster pace. Though the beginnings were humble the benefits were immediately recognized and the school began to grow.
It slowly began to gain popularity among the youth that desired a more streamlined approach to education.
By 2010, now a WASC accredited school, John Vierra’s student population soared to approximately 100 students; some signing up on a waiting list to get in. With each student receiving one-on-one teacher face time weekly and the availability of tutoring, John Vierra has become a viable alternative to those students desiring a quality high school education outside of the traditional brick and mortar school.
John Vierra pushes a child to not only learn the core curriculum but to reach past the book, grasp at what seems to be the impossible dream and hold on tight. Some of their graduates have gone into fields of nursing, cosmetology, forestry, fashion, culinary arts, animal husbandry, and firefighting. Not to mention the extraordinary amount that have entered four year colleges, the military, and those that entered the work force as viable, productive members of our society.
Class of 2010
Jesse Almer, Jane Anderson, Adam Camacho, Benjamin Cassel, Joseph Clark, Jazzmond Claxton, Samuel Conlin, Chase Creel, Dana DeCoste, Jessica Fabbro, Rachaell Garness, Tyler Rae Hawkins, Shaira Hegel, Nagawa Hightower, Brooke Holmquist, Kyle Hukkanen, Kristin Jensen, Brandon Justice, Sierra Lawson, Jordann Lee, Ethan Masters, Cinthia Miramontes, Chad Montgomery, Chelsea Nichol, Shelley O’Neill, Stormie Pyle, Austin Richarson, Cody Robnett, Jesse Scott, Darrett Stevenson, Ian Straus, Katelynne Whaley, Patrick Young.
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