Friday, May. 30, 2008

Valley students hopeful, confident about future

Alternative school graduates more than 90 students Wednesday

Enrique Gomez said that his high school years have been a long rough ride with plenty of twist and turns, some of which were his own doing.

His actions caused him to be expelled from one high school and he was forced to attend what he thought was a place where they send lost causes.

"When I first walked through the gate at Valley I was uneasy," said the 18-year-old salutatorian. "However when I set foot in the classroom it was a different story."

Gomez' said those footsteps and guidance from teachers and staff at Valley Community School led him to graduation, something he didn't think he could accomplish.

Valley graduated Gomez and more than 90 of his classmates during a special commencement ceremony held Wednesday at the campus.

The event was attended by Merced County Office of Education and Los Baños Unified School District officials who joined plenty of beaming parents, proud siblings and jovial friends as they bid farewell to the class of 2008.

Principal Janette Alvarado said it had been a year filled with highs and lows for the graduates.

Some of the highlights were the academic decathlon team competing once again in the Merced County contest and visited Fresno for a Civil War re-enactment.

The entire campus also participated in a September 11 tribute in which students created a giant flag that was photographed from a plane.

But a recent tragedy was still in the hearts and minds of Valley's students, the death of one of their own.

Peter Fregoso, a 16-year-old student at Valley, was shot and killed late April at a party, the alleged shooter is currently in Merced County Jail.

"I can't help to think of the ones who cannot be with us, cannot call us to wish us good luck," valedictorian Jacqueline Escalante, 18, said adding that she sent her thoughts and prayers to Fregoso's family.

Although Fregoso's death put a somber cloud on the final weeks of school, independent studies teacher Marrick Carter said students had persevered, a lesson they should take with them throughout their lives.

"You've paid the price to be here. Others may have doubted you, you may have doubted you but you're here," she said. "You may think a diploma is a ticket out of here but think of it as a ticket to life."

Laura Andrews, a social studies and history teacher, offered some last words of wisdom to her students before sending them off.

"Some of you came to Valley because of bad choices," Andrews said, whether they were academically or personal. "But you are here and ready to take it all."

As for Gomez, he said he is ready to stop making bad choices and plans to continue his education at Merced College.

He said he is not afraid to step out into the world because of the education and attention he received at Valley Community School.

"For the first time in my life, I felt that I could succeed," he said.

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com