ANIYAH PLEASANT, MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 1

Good afternoon everyone, my name is Aniyah Pleasant, and I am a graduating junior at Middle College High School. It is an honor to be here today to represent Local District West and all of LAUSD’s brilliant graduates in the Class of 2017. We all worked hard to get to this point, but we did not accomplish this on our own. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who’ve paved the way for us to succeed. For that reason, I am so grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to share my story with you all. With that being said, I would like to thank my wonderful principal, Betty Washington, and LAUSD’s superintendent, Michelle King. I’d also like to acknowledge and give thanks to our Board Members: Dr. McKenna, from my district, Ms. García, Mr. Schmerelson, Dr. Rodriguez, Ms. Ratliff, Dr. Vladovic, and board President Steve Zimmer.

You all may be thinking: She’s graduating as a junior? How did she do it? Well, from 8 in the morning to 9:30 at night, I criss-crossed between classes at Middle College High School and Los Angeles Southwest College, and I took advantage of all educational opportunities possible. I had seven high school classes and nine college units on my plate and I was ready to devour them all and ask for seconds the following semester. This was my freshman year in high school. No one told me I had to pile my plate that high, but I did because I was – and still am – hungry for knowledge. Along with my required high school classes, I took Psychology 1, History 11, and Economics 1 and passed every single class with flying colors. I repeated this same routine during my sophomore year and this school year. I even took college courses during summer sessions because I knew that with the completion of each course, I would be thrust closer to my goals and my graduation.

Throughout high school, I have been able to successfully juggle volleyball, working at Baskin Robbins, taking AP classes, serving on Senior Council, volunteering in my community, and running my own non-profit organization, Pleasant Proffers. In addition, I've been exceptionally active in attending leadership conferences alongside my principal, Ms. Washington, and even had the opportunity to meet Ms. García at the Young Women’s Political and Civic Leadership Conference and Dr. McKenna at LAUSD’s Fourth-Quarter Collaborative meeting in 2016.

All of these things may seem very intimidating for a high school student, but the busy schedule and the late nights were never obstacles for me – they were motivation. The school activities, volunteer jobs, and extracurriculars shaped me to be the well-rounded young woman that I am today. The hard work, dedication, and persistence I showed at Middle College High School were proof that we are capable of achieving any and all things we put our minds to.

In addition to graduating as a high school junior, I will be graduating with my Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, better known as the IGET-C. This means that not only will I be entering college at 17, I will have the units of a sophomore in college at the age of 17.

This fall, I will be taking my high school diploma and my IGET-C certification to the University of California, San Diego, to study Human Biology. The next time I’ll be giving a graduation speech, I’ll be earning my Bachelor of Science degree and beginning Medical School shortly after.

You know? I decided at a very young age that I was going to be someone -- someone who would be able to make a difference in others’ lives.

I’ve had the pleasure of cultivating change in my community with love and tackling the issues of homelessness and hunger with my non-profit. However, my true passion is the power of women and the fact that women create life. Each and every one of us came from strong mothers. For this very reason, my ultimate career goal is to become an obstetrician and assist these women in that final stage of creating life – birth!

With my college education and a career as an OB/GYN, I will be able to aid and educate women in my neighborhood. Thus, college is essential in my journey of becoming the catalyst in transforming and enhancing the city where I was raised. The importance of my college education is not limited to the infinite amount of knowledge that I will gain but is significant because of the infinite amount of love and knowledge that I will give back to my community.

Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter. After high school, each student embarks on their different journeys in life with the common goal of success in mind. These journeys will not be easy, as they will pose many obstacles. However, we will not let these obstacles intimidate us; we will use them as motivation and persevere. There are a myriad of choices available to us upon graduating, but we will find our own paths in life. One big lesson I learned throughout high school is that life is so much better when I do all the things that I love and follow my passions no matter how hard they may be. Having said that, I would like to share with you my “senior quote: “You can do anything you put your mind to … I did this in three years.”

Thank you.

ERIKA ODETTE MILLANES, ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 2

Hello, my name is Erika Odette Millanes, I would like to wish you all a warm welcome today and thank you for the honor of speaking before you. I would like to acknowledge the superintendent, Michelle King, Our board members: Dr. George McKenna, Mónica García, Scott Schmerelson, Steve Zimmer, Dr. Ref Rodriguez, Mónica Ratliff, Dr. Richard Vladovic, and last but not least Jefferson Crain. I would also like to recognize my principal at Abraham Lincoln Senior High School, Mr. Jose Torres.

I am absolutely honored to be representing Abraham Lincoln Senior High School. For those who do not know where Lincoln is, it is located in northeast Los Angeles in a small community of Lincoln Heights where people dream big. Lincoln Heights is a predominantly Latino community located near Chinatown, adding to the diversity, rich cultural history and delicious food. This community may not always be highlighted in the news for its achievements, safety or wealth, but Lincoln Heights has provided me with love, nourishment and tools to succeed. Lincoln Heights is more than a community to me, it is home, and it is what I represent in my words and actions, now and forever in my life’s journey.

When I first transferred to Lincoln my junior year, the change was unwelcomed due to all the turbulence in my life. As a Mexican-American student and the daughter of immigrant parents, the road to graduation has not been easy. My parents migrated from Mexico 31 years ago, leaving their friends, family and everything they knew. I cannot thank them enough for the sacrifice that ripped them apart from their loved ones, in order to provide opportunities for their children. My parents have always been the face of selflessness and bravery. One of the many lessons my parents have taught me is that sacrifice is imperative while attempting to positively transform people's lives.

The road that my parents and I have walked has been rocky. In the summer of 2013, I was 10 years old when my mother was diagnosed with a tumor in her stomach which needed to be surgically removed as soon as possible. As a result, my father and siblings were busy working. This emotional hardship was augmented by the financial strain of having one less paycheck each month. I felt like my whole world was collapsing with just the thought that I might lose my mom. Thankfully, my mother overcame another obstacle in the face of unfavorable odds that has shaped our family into the people we are today.

Nothing is easy in life, at least not for me, but that has not been an excuse to slack off or give up. I understand that everything I do will determine my impact on this world and serve as an example to my family and community of the importance of sacrifice and hard work. Not only do I wish to be a role model to students with similar struggles as me, but I want my parents to see that their sacrifice was not in vain. My journey to graduation began with the selflessness of my parents and will continue to gain momentum as they inspire me every day to be better, work harder and to fight for what I believe I deserve. Every road for each person is different and mine happened to lead me to right here, right now but all of this was no accident.

Despite enduring similar challenges, many students have accomplished goals just like me! I will be accomplishing one of the major milestones of my life: high school graduation. This has been an act not only of personal commitment, but also one of pride. A high school diploma is a wonderful tool in this world, one that opens many doors of opportunities for anyone who has worked hard enough for one. But graduation is not an end goal in itself; it is instead a part of the larger journey of life. Life is a journey, and all accomplishments we achieve during its course should be taken as starting points for further achievements. This is a major step in the journey of our young generations’ lives, and I recognize its immense significance.

Graduation is such a launching point and it will project us to wherever our futures are meant to take us. The road that lies ahead will not be easy. There will be obstacles and missed exits. There will be times when each of us will feel like we cannot possibly go on. There will be times when each of us will think he or she is alone, our backs against the wall. But we are not alone; we are all in this journey with the lessons and love we were blessed with from our family, friends and teachers.

I do not know how I feel at this very moment; it is a combination of nervousness and excitement! Everything is just going too fast. The next thing you know I will be stepping into my very first college class. I am very excited to announce that I will be furthering my education at San Jose State University this fall. I will be majoring in philosophy, specialization in law that provides the opportunity to explore some of the deepest questions about the law, its relation to morality, what justifies authority, and what is distinctive about legal reasoning. My goal is to become an immigration attorney in the near future. Since the political climate is tense and hostile towards immigrants, I cannot help but recognize the humanity of people who dream and risk it all for a better life. My own sacrifices will be to help my community and offer them an opportunity to be heard without fear.

College will be different than high school, as many say. There will be no bells ringing for us to go to the next class. If we happen to hear a bell, it doesn’t mean, ‘Hey go to your next class.’ It means drop and cover! I am honestly going to miss my mom saying, ‘Erika ya son las 7! Levantate!’ as I get up and I check my alarm clock only to find out it is 6 a.m. After the panic subsided, I would go back to sleep; then my mom would get more upset because I would oversleep and be late for school. Sorry mom and sorry first-period teachers.

My parents have been the biggest support system in my entire 17 years of living. My parents have seen me struggle, cry, and seen me at my lowest when I wanted to give up, but I didn’t. They have overcome abounding hardships that have demonstrated to me why I should never give up. When I think of all the barriers they have conquered, I am motivated to strive to accomplish more. My parents have always told me, the more I study, the more zeros I will have on my paycheck. I do want to be successful, but money will never define my success. Success is offering something of value to those in my community. My parents have worked countless hours, burning their hands while working in restaurants for minimal compensation. Although poorly rewarded, my parents have selflessly paved the road for my accomplishments.

My aspiration is to positively impact my community by being an example – that even through adversity and a difficult upbringing anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I want to inspire younger generations to pursue their dreams, establish careers, and ultimately invest their talents, skills and knowledge back into their communities. As the years pass, we will face many different challenges, let us take each new problem on with confidence, with the understanding that we have achieved great heights and are equipped with the necessary tools to tackle our futures. I am confident that I have been provided the necessary skills to navigate successfully through the journey that awaits me.

From this day forward, let us make each decision with our best interests in mind. Let us believe in ourselves so that we may reach our goals and fulfill our dreams. Let us be the best that we can be so that we may fill our lives and the lives of those closest to us with happiness and with pride. Let us be the role model of this generation. We’ve already taken the first step by making it this far. Now, it’s time to take the next steps in the journey that is our lives and begin to build our futures.

Thank you.

AHMED ELAURI, CHATSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 3

I would like to thank Superintendent Michelle King, all Board members, including Mr. Scott Schmerelson of District 3, my principal, Dr. Timothy Guy, and my family. You all have provided me with an amazing opportunity to share how my experiences at LAUSD shape my future plans on behalf of Local District Northwest.

Growing up in Los Angeles for practically my entire life, I always aspired to attend UCLA, but I didn’t think I could. It’s an amazing school, and it just seemed far-fetched to beat the odds and be accepted. But after years of hard work I finally made it, and God- willing, I will attend the University of California, Los Angeles this fall.

One out of six is how many students that apply to UCLA are admitted. Ranked 2 out of 461 is my class GPA ranking. One out of every 91,000 is the approximate ratio for the students selected to attend this Board meeting. I didn’t think it possible to make one in six, yet here I am, one in 91,000. But if we’re looking at numbers, well, 1 In every 291,000 citizens of Wyoming is a national senator. By those odds, two of us students here can become senators. I definitely never imagined being elected senator, but hey, I do enjoy student government, and the numbers aren’t too far off, so maybe I will become senator. That’s the mentality I built from my time in LAUSD.

The mentality that I can do anything and be anything I set my mind to. My first school election, I was running for Student Body Treasurer at my elementary school. I lost. Honestly, it was tough. It took me another five years before I built up the courage to run in another election – this time for Freshman Class Treasurer. I won, so I went on to run again the next year, along with running for many other club positions over the next four years. I had more losses, like for Key Club office, and as Junior Class Treasurer. But I also had more wins, like for President of Chess Club and Student Body Treasurer. These offices and experiences taught me essential skills, like how to voice my opinion and plan ahead.

I’ve been a student in this district for over a decade, and each one of those years built me into a better person. A person who upholds the pillars of character instilled in us from elementary school, a boy who opposes bullying like we were taught from middle school, and a man who knows to keep trying, because I eventually was elected treasurer, something I learned from high school.

Sharing my experience as a student of this district wouldn’t be complete without talking about my education here. Every year I have had stellar teachers that have pushed me to improve, especially in these past four years. The lessons I’ve been taught explain how the world became to be as it is, and the significance of the things around us. Mr. Hayes and Mr. Molitoris who sparked my love for history taught me why the national anthem is such a beautiful piece. Mrs. Richard taught me that we have one earth, and we need to respect it. Mr. Lehr and Mrs. McNiff taught me rhetoric and poetry, and that words are stronger than sticks and stones. Mr. Kim guided me through everything from inequalities, to parametrics; his math class was a journey of its own, one filled with struggle, as well as success. And most importantly, Mrs. Tree and Mr. West taught me the person I want to be.

Each teacher I’ve had, each subject I’ve taken has taught me something that I hold onto today. These LAUSD staff members have been some of the most meaningful people in my life. They are who build this district, and who contribute to who I work to become. My education here has not only made me the person I am today, but it has taught me the person I want to be in five, 10 and 15 years.

In five years, I plan on being in my first year of medical school. Ever since I got over my dream of becoming a basketball player, I have intended on becoming a doctor. During ninth grade, after my sister picked me up from school, we were driving home, and stopped at a red light on DeSoto and Plummer. While waiting to turn left, my sister asked me what type of doctor I wanted to be, after a few long seconds, I responded with, “a surgeon.” And she asked me “Really? You want to go around dealing with people’s guts? Why?” It took me a while, but I figured it out, I want to become a surgeon because I want to make a difference.

There are many professions where people make a difference every day, whether it be as a policeman, motivational speaker or educator, like everyone here today. All these people and professions are important and appreciated, and they all make this world a better place. But those professions aren’t my calling. I want to have a patient who is in critical condition who needs help; and I want to go in there, and save his or her life. I want to be able to see the looks on the family’s faces, when they see that their loved one lives to see another day, and hopefully many more years. That is what I look to become.

That is why I intend on being in medical school in five years. In 10 years I look to be finishing up medical school and becoming an attending surgeon. Becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon would give me the privilege of being able to make those tangible differences. In 15 years, I hope to have a family, a beautiful wife with a couple of healthy children. One of my largest goals in life is to do well by my family.

Family reminds us that we have someone there for us, or that we have something to work for, someone that we have to look out for. Having a family also means that I can help my children achieve more than I have. In my short 17 years of life I haven’t learned much, but I do know that every day I learn more and more, and that I can pass that knowledge and experience onto my children, and help them be better, not only more successful, but also raise them to be people who make this world a brighter place.

My goal for my family is similar to your goals for the children of Los Angeles. As I intend on using my past experiences to help my family excel, each year our district benchmarks are set slightly higher than the year prior. Each year we learn from the last, and use that to improve the next year. Some years we do improve, other years we fail to improve, but that's ok, because we know that failure is a steppingstone to success, just like my first election, which was a loss. Although I am graduating from LAUSD, I still say that “we” work to meet the new goals for our schools each year, because I am still a part of this district, and I always will be. I am a product of this district, and this city, so as I work for my success, I also work for the success of Los Angeles Unified.

People say graduation isn’t the end, but the beginning. Graduation is neither. Our graduation is a continuation. Our past builds into our future, and we can’t forget that, because when we forget our beginnings, we forget why we’re here. That's why I intend on remembering. Remembering my first election. Remembering my teachers. And remembering LAUSD.

JONATHAN MARCIAL-MORAN, VENICE HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 4

Ladies and gentleman it is an honor to be here standing in front of you representing my school and Board District 4. My name is Jonathan Marcial-Moran and I am a senior at Venice High school. Before we start I’d just like to acknowledge our superintendent, Michelle King, all the members of the Board of LAUSD and of course my principal Dr. Oryla Wiedoeft. I’d like to thank you all for your services and dedication to my school and the rest of LAUSD which provides us with an education that is crucial for growth and a better tomorrow. All of you work in the background of the education system allowing for students like me to thrive in a school environment so that we can one day have the honor of continuing your work and leading the way to even greater success.

That’s what I am here to talk about today. Success. It’s what a vast majority of us seek and strive for, especially in a place like Los Angeles, California, where the community is so diverse and you can study and become just about anything.

Being a Los Angeles native, I was given the privilege to be a part of the LAUSD community for all my life. I grew up in the part of the city outsiders would consider the “ghetto”. Being brought up in a place like South Central Los Angeles has been difficult, to say the least. I was faced with the usual outside pressures of poverty, gangs and drugs.

My mom was born in the United States but lived most of her life in El Salvador with her mother, grandmother, and sisters. She had me at the age of 19 and she struggled financially and emotionally to provide for her child. My father walked away long before I was even born, and to this day he has not been able to see any of my accomplishments, from my first steps to my being accepted into 5 different colleges. For him, I’d like to think it is one of the biggest losses he will ever have.

Just because I grew up where I did and without a father didn’t mean I had to set limitations on myself and meet a basic quota. The easiest route is to stop and quit – but I chose the opposite of that. Through hard work, determination, and taking advantage of my own knowledge, communication skills, and the great education LAUSD has had to offer me, I now have the privilege of attending the University of California Los Angeles- one of the most respected universities in the world. I will continue my pursuit of education with a sociology major, to one day join the ranks of the criminal justice system.

My origins with LAUSD began at La Cienega Elementary School. It is the place I can credit as the base of what would lead me to becoming a successful student. Early on, I was well-liked by not only my teachers and peers but also by the staff who worked on the playgrounds and in the offices. Even at such a young age I strove to be at the top and recognized by all of those around me. Whether it be the spelling bee, the band or just playing on the field I liked to be known by my classmates. At Cienega I was recognized with two certificates of accomplishment by President Barack Obama. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but to be recognized by the White House is just one of the biggest honors I have been so fortunate to receive. I remember quite well leading our yearly school plays; reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle or having to be dressed up as Santa Claus. However, my education at Cienega ended when my family and I moved to Carson, California.

It was here that I was enrolled just for my fifth grade year at Carson Street Elementary. At that time the move to a whole different school didn’t matter to me. It was as if nothing had happened and I was able to fit in very comfortably. No one asked questions as to where I had come from, no one had expectations of me and it’s what gave me the advantage. In just a few short weeks I was just being myself and thriving. Getting Straight fours on my progress report at that point was all that was important to me and I was able to achieve that.

Once middle school came around I didn’t attend the same school that the majority of my peers from Carson Street were going to go to. I attended Alexander Fleming Middle School in Lomita, California. Once again I was forced to start a clean slate. Just like it had been in elementary school it was easy to make new friends. Teachers enjoyed my input and efforts and I was able to build very good relations with many of them. It was there that I began my serious quest for success. I realized that in order to be the best that I wanted to be, the base of my education would have to be the strongest part. I implemented in myself a mind-set that would not allow me to quit. Yes I could falter here and there, it was difficult learning to accept losses, but those little stumbles are what made me better for the next time. It was at Fleming that I fell in love with the world of technology. It was vital to me to learn the skills of coding, making small movies, and knowing the skills of the computer and its software.

In my seventh- and eighth-grade years, I was awarded Fleming’s highest awards for my academic excellence. Both years Fleming presented me with trophies that looked like the “Oscars” trophies. They were given to me to recognize my straight A’s and for being on the Principal’s Honor Roll and the way the awards were presented to me made me feel proud and accomplished. By the time middle school was over, I was in a great state of mind, ready to overcome every task and obstacle, but I; yet again, was met with another social barrier. I would be returning to Carson, to attend Carson High School with the people I had met four years previously.

Carson High School is not your average high school. It is an entire complex divided into three smaller schools. Because of this division, Carson had all the elements I needed to continue thriving. The smaller class sizes allowed for a more personal connection with teachers. The small campus was ideal in allowing for peer interaction of all grade levels. Carson was my home. It had offered me the security and everything I needed for six years, but we all learn at some point or another that we don’t always get nor keep what we want.

I was pulled from what I had known for six years within the matter of 24 hours. With the events of just 24 hours I was forced to remove myself from relationships with friends, teachers, and coaches. I was pulled away from my school, my place of comfort. I was devastated. I came to Venice two weeks after my junior school year was supposed to start. Venice was like nothing I had known at Carson and I was practically an outcast. The school is tremendous. With 2,000 kids, it is a high school setting that you expect from a movie. There are divisions of grade levels and six classes a day. I struggled the entire first month. I closed myself off for the first time in my life to everyone, including my family. My grades dropped from straight A’s to barely straight C’s.

It was an unhappy time of my life, but I recovered because I reflected on what I had accomplished for four years. I couldn’t throw it away because if I had I would have regretted it all my life. So once again I hit the books. I opened myself up to my peers and sure enough met many people with similar ambitions. Venice has both a magnet and a comprehensive school. I am a part of the comprehensive school but honestly the only difference between the schools is the title. However, because the magnet school is thought to be so much better, those of us in the comprehensive school are underestimated. I’m a prime example of the type of student the comprehensive school can turn out. I stand before you all today as the student with the 4.3 GPA, who works every single weekday, who doesn’t sleep until about 12 a.m. on a daily basis but still gets everything I need to get done because this world waits for nothing.

Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have seen myself where I am today, in front of so many important people with a pathway that is heading in the right way to success. Ladies and gentlemen, once again thank you for having me and for giving me your undivided attention. I’d like to thank, for the last time, the LAUSD district, its teachers, and its staff for an unforgettable 13 years. I am proud to be able to represent such a powerful educational system. Thank you.”

ALEXIS MUNOZ, FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 5

Good Afternoon, my name is Alexis Munoz Mayo and I am a proud panther from Benjamin Franklin High School, located in Highland Park in Northeast Los Angeles.

Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the superintendent and the board members for having us here today and would also like to extend my gratitude for all that you do for LAUSD. Your efforts not only provide an education for the 640,000 students enrolled in LAUSD, but they also lay down the foundation for future generations. In effect, your actions shape us students, and as such, the future. Thank you for all that you do.

Next, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work and efforts of our school’s principle, Franklin alumni, Mrs. Regina Marquez Martinez. Not too long ago, Benjamin Franklin High School was looked down upon as the school to avoid. At the close of the 1990s and the rise of the early 2000s, Highland Park was a community infested with gang violence and criminal activity. As Tupac Shakur once proposed, “We are a reflection of our communities”. As such, it is easy to see how the culture of violence and poverty that plagued Highland Park found its way into the halls of Franklin High School.

Today, however, Benjamin Franklin High School is recognized as a “Gold Ribbon School” by the California Department of Education, as a “Silver Medalist” by US News & World Report, and its magnet program has been decorated as a “Magnet School of Excellence” in 2016 and a “Magnet School of Distinction” in 2017. Moreover, Highland Park has become a bustling neighborhood, boasting some of the trendiest restaurants, cafes, local businesses and an atmosphere of energy and progress that is almost impossible to match. In fact, Highland Park is now consistently ranked as one of the top 10 communities to live in LA. The revolutionary changes that have taken place in both Highland Park and Franklin High School are the results of individuals like Mrs. Marquez Martinez, who in collaboration with teachers, local business owners, residential families and elected representatives, have worked tirelessly to bring about the changes that North East LA has so vibrantly undergone. And the timing could not be better, as Franklin High School is at the height of its celebration of 100 years of education and commitment to Highland Park and the greater Los Angeles area. However, the hardest part is yet to come. And that is where we, the graduating class of 2017 must take up the mantle that has been handed down to us.

I am tremendously grateful and humbled to be here today to represent my class, my school and my community. Though I must admit that I do not live in Highland Park, I have attended both middle school and high school in the neighborhood. My closest friends, my most supportive mentors, my fondest childhood memories – so many of the things that have shaped and influenced me – lie in Highland Park and as such I am honored to represent this community that has meant so much to me.

I am the eldest son of a single mother of five children. I, alongside my parents, immigrated to this country at a very young age. Not too far down the road, my father abandoned his responsibilities as a husband and father, but through the indescribable efforts of my amazing mother, my family and I have surmounted many impossible obstacles and have come out of a seemingly endless dark tunnel, driven and resilient.

By the age of 14, my family and I had experienced poverty, domestic violence, bankruptcy, homelessness, and my mother’s unemployment. In spite of all this, my mother worked hard to ensure that my siblings and I would have the opportunity to receive a quality education and attend college. Before entering middle school and high school, my mother searched for schools that she believed would offer better opportunities than the ones in the schools of the ghettoes of South Central LA where I grew up. It is in this manner that I found myself attending school on almost the opposite side of the city.

While in high school, I’ve accomplished many things, but my proudest achievement has been my participation in the school’s Academic Decathlon team for the past two years. Individually, I’ve earned over 40 medals across five competitions and hold the record for the highest score in Decathlon history in my competition category. As a team, we’ve ranked No. 3 at the state competition in Sacramento for the past two years and last year, our aggregate score unofficially ranked us as the No. 2 team in the entire country at the National Finals in Anchorage, Alaska. However, it is not the medals or accolades that I am most proud of, but what it is that we, as a team, stand for.

Coached by the amazing Mr. Samuel Kullens, our team values passion and empathy above all else. It is these values that I intend to carry with me to UC Berkeley, where I will be attending in the fall, working toward an undergraduate degree in economics, after which I will pursue admittance into one of the top law schools in the country. I hope to ultimately represent the many communities that are historically underrepresented and abused, whether it is because of gender, race, religion, education, socioeconomic standing, or some other factor that cannot be helped. I want to be an example for those who feel as if there is no hope or feel as though they have no voice. It is in this manner that I intend to carry forth the mantle that has been passed down to me.

I began today with a discussion of Highland Park and the revolution it has undergone because I believe it exemplifies the kind of change that is possible and necessary. The evolution it has undergone did not occur overnight and it was not driven by a single person or a single group of people. The changes took hold when the entire community came together, with everyone contributing something, to solve the issues. In today’s world, where our country seems to be divided in every way imaginable, it is of the upmost importance that not only the Class of 2017, but that every class moving forward acts with selflessness, empathy, and compassion so that we may heal our wounded nation. Our instinct should not be to look out for our immediate communities at the expense of others; it should be to find a common struggle across all communities. Our instinct should not be to argue with someone who holds opposing viewpoints, but to empathize with them and welcome their different ideologies. Our instinct should not be hatred or distrust or paranoia, but compassion and the recognition of a common sense of humanity.

Change does not occur overnight. Both Highland Park and Franklin High School still have a lot of “kinks” and “loose bolts” and that’s all right. But it was neither complaining nor discontent alone that was the mechanism for change. By the same token, we cannot mistake public unrest and protests as indicators of genuine change or action. Rather, by educating ourselves, by culturing and expanding our minds, by treating others with compassion and empathy we will be able to create genuine change. Tupac said we are a reflection of our communities. Well perhaps the reverse of that is also true. Our communities are a reflection of us. Or on a greater scale, our country is a reflection of its citizens. If we as citizens act from a place of fear and hatred, our country will be one of chaos and violence. If we act from a place of compassion and understanding, our country will be one of integrity and prosperity for all. It’s time that we take up the great mantle handed to us. We’ve got a lot of work to do.

Thank you. Still growing. The fight is never over.

IMANOL TABARES, SYLMAR CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL MAGNET School Board District 6

Good afternoon, I would like to first thank Superintendent King, the Board members, and Mr. James Lee, my principal at Sylmar Charter High School, for allowing me this time afternoon. May I say, without any hyperbole whatsoever, that school saved my life.

My parents separated when I was 8, and my mother, a young mom, faced the challenges of a failed marriage and raising two children on her own. I went to live with my father, but even then he was a rare sight at home. He lost his business because of his addiction to drugs and his womanizing. My brother tried to guide me, but within a short time was arrested for murder. I was without a mom, living with a drugged-out father, with a brother jailed for murder, and in a house that turned into a drug haven for addicts and dealers, and some who used me as a liaison for my strung-out father. Always hungry and nearly homeless, the drug dealers offered me “jobs,” for my “benefit” of course. This was me at 11 years old, not even out of middle school.

I share this ugly past with you not for any pity, but to highlight the truth that I opened with: that school, in fact, saved my life. I decided that my sordid past would not define me; I would not be yet another statistic of “the’hood.” In ninth grade I joined tennis not for the love of sport, but because it kept me away from home. I would stay late in the magnet school office, where seemingly mundane tasks gave me focus and honest purpose. But most importantly at school, I made a family. At home, there was Miguel, a drug dealer, but at school I had Ms. Labo my chemistry teacher encouraging me to succeed. At home, my father absent or high, yet at school I had Ms. Gonzales, my biology teacher who would take time out of her day to make sure I knew I was appreciated. And the innumerable words of discouragement I faced at home and by countless family members, turned into words of encouragement as soon as I would walk into Mr. Victoria’s English class and Mr. Cooper’s math class.

Even now, as you all here honor me, I do not regret any of my past, for it all has been a catalyst for me to grow and become the better person I am today. I once thought college was not only unaffordable but unattainable; after all, I’m just not that smart. Yet both Ms. Kim, my college counselor and Ms. Steinert, the magnet coordinator at Sylmar, believed in me and pushed me to work toward that higher goal.

I am Imanol Tabares, and I went from a lost, hopeless kid in the streets to an honored Questbridge College Prep scholar. With the encouragement of my mentors, I have earned a full-ride scholarship from the U.S. Marine Corps and will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana and then entering the corps as an officer. And after graduating college and serving my nation, I hope to seek a position in public office.

I now know – with absolute certainty – that people can change the lives of others. It is no slogan for me, no clever platitude or cliché. Change and success are possible because teachers have showed me, counselors cared for me, and I dared to listen and embrace their guidance. I am living testament of others sowing seeds, as I live the fruit of that success. So I say thank you, you who continue to make education possible; you in education who dared to make a kid’s dream actually come true.

DESTINY SAUCEDO, SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL School Board District 7

Good afternoon Superintendent King, Board Members, and all in attendance. I’d like thank my principal, Mrs. Jeanette Stevens, for inviting me here to speak. Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to be candid about who I am and where I’m from, and what I plan to do.

My parents first met in the seventh grade, when my mom still spoke accented English and my dad still tagged on walls because he thought it was cool. In their freshman year of high school, my mom got pregnant with me; she transitioned to home study while my dad left school to work. Like their parents, my parents were two kids with a kid. My first four years of life were spent living with my maternal grandparents – two immigrants from Mexico, in a pink home in Wilmington, California. This is where my happiest childhood memories live. While my parents worked, I was left in the care of my grandmother. We spent time drawing, cooking, and running errands. We were inseparable, and when she started going to school to learn English, I went with her. I sat in her classes rather than staying in day care, and together we mastered the English language. My parents never encouraged my intellectual curiosity, but my grandmother did. Her perseverance motivates me to be a better person, to make smart choices and to succeed at what I choose to do. Each of my accomplishments feels like the best “thank you” I could ever give her.

My parents separated when I was 12. Bouncing between various households, I witnessed the decline of my mother’s mental health and substance abuse, my dad’s immaturity, and felt the blame for problems I was never responsible for. I got lost for a while. Depression is still one of the most difficult challenges I face. I choose to be open about my mental health because I am proud that I am constantly trying to improve myself, even during times when the simple act of existing feels impossible. I have maintained straight As since I was in middle school and am an active member in multiple clubs. The experiences of my grandparents and parents affect me every day, in the decisions I make, in the goals I set, and in the emotions I feel. My environment constantly reminds me of the struggles people before me went through to get me here. I see my grandma’s evolution in the stern curves of her mouth and in the wrinkles of her forehead when she struggles to find the correct words in English. I see hardly anything of my parents. Most of all, I see the strength of my sisters, the innocent inquiries of how the world works, their budding maturity, and how their existence affects mine. I am a true product of female empowerment in all aspects of my life.

It really is such an honor and privilege to be in the position I am now as I prepare to graduate. I am a Latina girl with teenage parents. My grandparents are immigrants. I’m not blind to the fact that many would not expect a person like me to succeed, but to that I say this; in my short life I have seen a black man become president, a woman run for president, and a Latina woman get appointed to the Supreme Court. We are living in a time of unprecedented change, both for the good and bad. However, these remarkable events fill me with hope for the future, and I hope that years from now I too can be seen as a model of possibility and strength to young girls the way these figures have been for me.

It may not be perfect, but San Pedro High School and the faculty there have provided me with so many opportunities that have helped me reach the point I’m at now. Without SPHS, I would not have been able to intern with our local Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell. I would not have been able to work directly with LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King. Most importantly, I don’t know that I’d be the person I am today without SPHS. I know that’s an extremely tired cliché, but this has been the environment that I’ve grown and learned in for four years.

For me, and many of my peers, senior year has been a year of questions. I struggled with deciding what path I wanted to take in life and what career I'd choose. The biggest and most important thing I've learned is that I don't need to have a definitive answer to these questions. That's what the next four years of my life will be dedicated to, and hopefully I'll find something to make me happy in that time. The future is fluid and while the choices we make in high school influence what will become of us, it is not the sole factor. Being a senior means growing as a person and getting ready to make adult decisions.

In the fall I'll be away from home at the school I already love, UC Berkeley, away from my friends and family, and starting a new journey. That's the path I chose for myself, and worked all these years to earn. To my fellow seniors, I want to say that it's okay if that's not the same path you find yourself on; we all have unique stories with varied plots that will manifest themselves one way or another. Maybe you'll be at community college, or vocational school or working, and that's okay, too. I think it is so important that we do what makes us comfortable and what we know will make us happy.

I think it’s so incredibly important that young adults my age are becoming aware of the fact that we truly are the models for change. It is up to us to better our country, our world, and our planet. This isn’t a world of baby boomers any more. We are the ones that must step up and pursue paths to make our world a healthier and kinder one. I feel like I could burst with excitement at the idea that soon I will begin my journey at UC Berkeley where I will study political science and eventually start on my whole “changing the world one miniscule step at a time plan.” I do not know where exactly I want to end up, but I want to feel like I am helping someone, no matter how small.

My time at San Pedro High went by with a speed that left me breathless. It took me a while, but I found my way eventually. I accept where I am and who I am, and am endlessly excited to see who I will become. I hope that one day, I’ll be able to inspire the next generation of young leaders the way the people in this district have inspired me. Thank you.