A carpet of red and white carnations, silly string and streamers littered the ground of the San Benito High School soccer field, remnants of the commencement celebration for the class of 2008.
Overjoyed to be done with the travails of high school, classmates and best friends Stephanie Skarvelis, 17, and Brooke Bainter, 18, screamed with delight when they saw each other after the ceremony.
"We're going to Gav together next year!" Skarvelis said, her arm slung around her best friend's shoulders. But before they crack open the school books again, they're looking forward to soaking up the sun at the beach and making a few extra bucks at summer jobs.
"I can't believe how fast that went by," said classmate Alyssa Simmons, 18. Also planning to attend Gavilan Community College next year, Simmons will study to be a dental hygienist. "I'm excited, but there's still a bunch of questions. I'm a little nervous."
Although the future may be uncertain for some, many San Benito graduates will be scattered all over the country next year, some as close as Gavilan and some as far away as New York.
Parents Thomas and Gail Miller and their son, Shane, attended the ceremony to cheer on their youngest son and sibling as he moved to the next stage of life. Heath Miller, 17, will earn his degree from Gavilan next year and he hopes he'll go on to become a physician's assistant, his father said. The last year has been "hectic but fun," his mother said.
"This definitely brings back memories," Shane Miller said as he waited for his brother to graduate.
"Now it's time to deal with college," Thomas Miller said. "Four more years, then we're really done."
Dry eyed, the family looked forward to watching the youngest member graduate. His parents felt a sense of accomplishment wash over them having successfully seen each of their children reach a major milestone.
"This is our third one done," he said. "Now we're going to celebrate!"
For a video of students receiving their diplomas, click here. (Please note that due to a camera malfunction, not all students were captured on this video.)
Sara Suddes Sara Suddes covers Gilroy for South Valley Newspapers. You can email her or call (408) 847-7158.
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With sights on the future
