Traditional pomp and circumstance is just around the corner for Point Loma High School’s 2007 senior class with commencement ceremonies planned for Tuesday, June 19, at Pete Ross Field.
This year, diplomas will be presented to about 340 students, according to PLHS Assistant Principal Kevin Gormly. He said several distinguished community members will be present to honor graduates, including school board mrustee John de Beck, a graduate of Point Loma’s class of 1949.
“He’s going to be accepting the class officially for the district,” Gormly explained. De Beck will handle the task of handing students their diplomas as they cross the stage.
Also, Capt. Mark D. Patton, commanding officer of Naval Base Point Loma, will be presenting the valedictorian and salutatorian plaques.
Looking back at the accomplishments of the senior class this past year, Gormly is optimistic.
“We just had senior exhibitions recently where a lot of community members and business people from the community come in to watch the seniors give their presentations, and they were very impressed with the students that are graduating from our school,” Gormly said. “They were confident about the future, knowing that this graduating class is on their way out. They felt secure knowing that they’ll be out there working when these community members are in their old age.”
Gormly noted this class will be the last to go out with Larry Zeiger, teacher and pioneer of the school’s highly acclaimed musical theater and cinema arts program. Zeiger is retiring after 33 years.
Gormly also touted the athletic accomplishments of this year’s football team, which made it to the finals at Qualcomm Stadium, and a tennis team that went undefeated during the regular season. Senior Victoria Anderson also traveled to state finals in Sacramento to compete in the high jump.
Although thoughts are turning to the future, the mood in the high school in the days leading up to graduation is pensive and nostalgic, Gormly said.
“I walked outside today at lunchtime, and it was very quiet, and I realized yearbooks came out today,” he said. “So it’s very quiet. Everyone’s leafing through the yearbooks, finding their pictures, signing yearbooks. It’s kind of calm in that respect.”
In recognition of her academic grade point average, which put her at the top of the senior class, Briana Provancha was selected as valedictorian.
“She’s also a world-class sailor on our sailing team,” Gormly said.
Both Provancha and salutatorian Kristi Tinterich will give speeches at the ceremony.
Students with academic distinction will also be recognized with a variety of cords and tassels. Honor roll students will don white tassels, California School Federation Honor Society students will wear gold sashes and those with 4.0 GPAs or higher will wear gold cords, according to head counselor Lauri Hurl.
The official graduation ceremony starts at 3 p.m. and is expected to be well-attended.
“Each graduating senior gets eight tickets,” Gormly explained. “It’s usually enough, but if not, some students don’t need all eight. They’ll share them with others and we’ll tell them all that before the ceremony.”
Gormly said seating should not be problematic, but he cautioned that parking may be a little difficult.
“We’ll have plenty of folding chairs in addition to the stands,” he said. “Parking is limited, so people will want to get there early. We recommend by 2 or 2:15 [p.m.] to start getting here and making their way to the stadium.”
For more information, visit www.pointlomahighschool.com.