Graduates Ride Scooters into Dana Hills High School Commencement

Continuing the senior tradition, Dana Hills High School graduates rode in style on scooters to the school’s commencement ceremony. Bursting with excitement after a long-awaited four years of hard work and dedication, the graduates reminisced on their amazing accomplishments and how they will continue their individual paths with one thing in common – maintaining their graduating class’ desire for excellence.

Dana Hills High School prospective graduates file onto the field during graduation ceremonies. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

“Together, we are ‘student great,’” commencement speaker Greer Albaugh said. “After today, most of us won’t see each other again. We’ll all continue on our own paths and do amazing things elsewhere. However, when we look back on our high school experience, we’ll all have one thing in common: being student great.”

Dana Hills students celebrated with family and friends Thursday, June 6 during the graduation ceremony at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point.

The school heard speeches from commencement speakers Greer Albaugh, Thomas Prince, and Mary Sorensen, as well as Principal Dr. Joshua Porter and Capistrano Unified School District Board Trustee Martha McNicholas. Capistrano Unified Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services Greg Merwin and Dana Point City Council member Jamey Frederico, Laguna Niguel City Council member Fred Minagar, and Dana Point Mayor Joe Muller were in attendance.

CUSD School Board Trustee Martha McNicholas, left, accepts the Dana Hills High School graduates, as Dana Hills High School principal, Joshua Porter, right,looks on, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

“As we bid farewell to this campus, and one another, and our homes, and our childhoods,” commencement speaker Mary Sorensen said, “I commend our efforts of the last four years and express my full faith in all the triumphs and all the beauty our futures hold.”

The Dana Hills High School Choir sang, “I hope you had the time of your life,” from the song “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by the popular band Green Day, which fans associate with past experiences they hold near and dear to their heart.

Dana Hills High School graduates sing “Good Riddance, ” by Green Day, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

During the final song, it was evident the students reminisced on all the friends they made, challenges they faced, and memories they will never forget. While the students reflected on their last four years of high school, they looked forward to the memories they are eager to create. As the ceremony came to a conclusion and the graduates turned their tassels, reached for their caps and finally tossed them in the air as the song left the graduates with one final lasting impression of their high school recollections.

For more graduation coverage, visit CUSDInsider.org.

Joshua Porter, Dana Hills High School principal, welcomes the crowd, Thursday, during Dana Hills High School’s graduation ceremony. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Students file into the stadium, Thursday, during Dana Hills High School’s graduation. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

VIP guests are escorted onto the field, Thursday, during Dana Hills High School’s graduation. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduate, Carly Bower, right , is congratulated by Martha McNicholas, left, CUSD School Board Trustee, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

A Dana Hills High School graduate holds up a diploma holder for a photograph, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School principal, Joshua Porter, welcomes the graduates and guests, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski.

Valedictorian graduates file into the stadium, Thursday, during Dana Hills High School’s graduation ceremony. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

CUSD School Board Trustee Martha McNicholas, left, and Dana Hills High School Psychology Teacher, Dr. John Gunderson, right, congratulate the graduates, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Two Dana Hills High School graduates congratulate each other, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduates get ready to be awarded their diplomas, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduates cheer on their fellow graduates, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduates applaud for their graduation speakers, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduation speaker, Greer Albaugh, gives her speech, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduation speaker, Thomas Prince, gives his speech, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduation speaker, Mary Sorensen, right, gets a hug from fellow graduation speaker, Thomas Prince, left, after Sorensen gave her speech, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduation speaker, Mary Sorensen, gives her speech, Thursday, during ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

A packed stadium at Dana Hills High School is the audience for Thursday’s graduation ceremony. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School’s ASU Senior Class President, Rachel Reeves, presents the class gift, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana Hills High School graduates turn their tassels, Thursday, during graduation ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Dana lHills High School graduates attempt to retrieve their caps amidst the release of white doves, Thursday, at conclusion of ceremonies at the school. Photo by Janine Swiatkowski

Andersen Bray, 10, right, volunteers as a “first responder,” Thursday during Dana Hills High School’s graduation ceremonies as Orange County Sheriff’s deputy K. Reinhardt, left, looks on. Photo by Janine Swiatkowskii

For more graduation coverage, visit CUSDInsider.org.