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MUSTANGS NOW ... MUSTANGS FOREVER
Topics: graduation, speech, class of 2007, Stockdale High School
Posted by citizenjournalist Fri Jun 1, 2007 13:12:09 PDT
Viewed 1121 times
0 responses 0 comments Good evening. My name is Luz Maria Kumpel. I am the 2007 senior class president. Thank you for coming to our commencement ceremony.

Stockdale High School opened in the year 1991. Since then, thousands of students have completed their high school education there — in an environment as safe, diverse and high-achieving as any in America. The class of 2007 has been an important part of what defines Stockdale as a place of excellence. The diplomas these students are receiving today not only represent the education they have received, but the experience they have had for the past four years.

Stockdale high school offers something for all of its more than 2,500 students. Students were able to participate in medical academy, applied engineering, commercial graphics, agricultural studies, virtual business enterprise and construction technology programs. The graduates here today have been part of teams both academically and athletically that have competed and been recognized on the local and national levels.
Stockdale’s multiple community service programs all together called Stockdale Cares have won awards. But more importantly have had an impact on community life that will be felt for many years to come.

The many achievements that students from this class have made have given them the opportunity to attend schools next year like Notre Dame, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UCLA, USC, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, New York University, University of Texas at Austin, Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Westpoint, Bakersfield College and the Air Force Academy.

It’s no wonder Stockdale remains the leading high school in Kern County at placing seniors at four-year institutions.

On behalf of the class of 2007, I would like to thank you, parents and friends, for being here today. Although you are here in celebration of our achievements, I belive you have played a vital role in the success that brings us here today.

To the teachers and staff, thank you for your inspiration and encouragement that has helped us to excel and believe in ourselves. For many of you, youre life’s work is preparing us for what is next in our lives and you’ve done a good job.

And to my fellow classmates, no one can take away what you have learned in the classroom these past four years. But more importantly, the same is true for what you have learned about yourselves, your friends and your life. And although this ceremony is an accomplishment that is just a step toward what is next in your lives, it will always be special that there was a time and place we spent together, as a unified entity, as a class.

What we are here for, our graduation, is something each of us is commended for individually, but memorable because we are doing it together. The friends and familiar faces that we have come to know, depend on, and love may change as we step off this stage and into the future. But all of those things — the triumphs, the laughs, the fun, the adversities, the excitement, the adventure, and the people we shared them with — those things all really happened and Stockdale was the common ground that brought us together, giving rise to the opportunity for those things to take place.

Each of you is an irreplaceable element of what gives our class its uniqueness and character. I hope that all of you remember this great day, this momentous occassion. But more so, I hope you remember all the moments that have lead up to today and give this event true meaning.

When you reflect on all of the cherished memories we’ve shared at Stockdale, I hope that it always brings a smile to your face.

Mustangs now — Mustangs forever. Thank you.

Luz Maria Kumpel will be attending UCLA this fall and studying psycho-biology. Her dream is to become an astronaut.

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