We are so very proud of all of the High School students in the Santa Clarita Valley who have worked to be their personal best and make their parents, teachers and community proud. Pat Willett, the Community Liaison Officer for the William S. Hart Union High School District solicited nominations from teachers for this graduation column recognizing several exemplary students. We realize there are many others who deserve recognition and commend and congratulate them as well for their dedication. Meet this year’s outstanding Santa Clarita graduates in our first annual tribute honoring students nominated by their teachers. Go forward graduates into the world with the same enthusiasm you’ve exhibited in high school and you’re bound to make a difference in this world.
Danny Bengeston who graduated early from Bowman High School and was accepted from Bowman to California School of the Arts. His uncle is a famous San Francisco artist. He is an engaging, multi-talented poet, artist and singer/guitarist. He, too, could be famous in his own right some day.
Jerrid McKenna was one of the star basketball players at Canyon High School who had to undergo brain cancer surgery during the season. He and his family went through numerous trials as you can imagine throughout this experience. He is basketball team player number 11 and the entire team wore his number to honor him. His classmates voted him the king of the prom.
Allison Pagnotta has entertained many football and basketball crowds, as well as Canyon High School students at rallies with her tumbling skills and aerobatics as a cheerleader flyer. She has competed for four years on Canyon’s cheer competition teams, stunt competition group and individual cheer competition. She has been accepted at Cal State Long Beach and will receive a scholarship to cheer there this fall. Her dedication, work ethic and smile will be missed tremendously.
Alexandru Ivanescu has overcome enormous challenges due to symptoms of Marfan and Sprintzen-Goldberg Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. He recently underwent open-heart surgery and despite the challenges he has been faced with is graduating this year. His teachers are impressed with his independence and say he is always cheerful and has a great attitude about life.
Dilshat Erkin is a Golden Valley High School student involved in Cross-Country, Track and Field and the Job Shadow program. He is an advanced placement student on the National Honor Roll.
Dana Vaughn is also a Golden Valley High School student, involved in drama, art, Track and Field, Yearbook, Student Government, advanced placement, the Job Shadow program and also has an impressive GPA. She was the schools Winter Formal Queen.
Christopher Gonzalez from Valencia High School is a double amputee. His teachers say that he has the sweetest personality and is always happy and polite. He likes to show off his new “legs and feet” to the class and explain what his next surgery will be all about. He is a peer educator in the STRIVE program, in which high school students visit feeder elementary schools to teach students to appreciate diversity and overcome prejudice. He was also a member of their football team this year.
Edgar Wilson, also from Valencia High School, is a deaf student, plays ice hockey, “talks” to everybody, smiles all the time, went to prom and has a really cool mohawk haircut.
Narayan Propato from Saugus High School is a truly gifted student. He is the son of an engineer educated in Argentina who was driven to excellence in education and has passed down that trait to his son. When Narayan attends Harvey Mudd next semester, he will be the first Propato to attend a University in the United States. His goal is to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue an education in engineering.
Nancy Myers from Saugus High School should have graduated last year but had an auto accident in July before her senior year (2006). She suffered brain trauma injury and was not expected to live. She returned to school earning all A’s in AP and CP classes. She is a walking miracle with incredible strength and determination to succeed. The teachers at Saugus say they love her and her spirit to overcome obstacles with great success.
Baileigh Jones from Hart High School is truly an exceptional young lady. She is a cancer survivor who has truly triumphed in all aspects of her life. Her advisor for the Future Business Leaders of America program says she really excels in the program where she competed at a state competition and placed 2nd in the state for impromptu speaking. Her teachers say she is the type of person who is always upbeat and can put a smile on everyones face with her presence.
Daniel Osborn from Saugus High School is an academic, period. Teachers say that a glance at the dictionary under the word motivation and you will see his picture. Osborn will leave Saugus High School with a 4.5 GPA and attend Berkley in the fall. He is an avid golfer and has participated on the school’s golf team for four years.
Tatijana Semerjian has a story unlike many students at Saugus High School. This self-motivated student knew as a freshman what her goal would be in life. She wants to become a lawyer. In preparation for this goal, Semerjian started early and in her freshman year applied herself to her studies and accumulated an impressive GPA. During her sophomore year she chose even more challenging classes and after completing her second successful year at Saugus High School she garnered an internship with a local law firm bringing her that much closer to achieving her goal of becoming a lawyer. Semerjian has spent two full years working for this law firm and in recognition of her diligence, has been given responsibilities usually assigned to a paralegal. In addition to this internship, she has participated in mock trial debates, the Academic Decathlon and is on the National Honor Society. She will continue with her education at the prestigious Claremont McKenna University.