Emotions flow freely at Apollo High graduation

THEIR DAY- At left, Apollo High School graduate Kyle Ransom hugs teacher Nancy Lee after she presents him with his diploma during the Class of 2008 commencement ceremony June 19. Above, Scott Martin and Taylor Curtis wait to receive their diplomas. At right, class valedictorian Stephanie Lieb addresses the graduating class. Saying goodbye to a senior class is always hard for Apollo High School Principal Tracy Rohlfing.

But his year was especially difficult for the thirdyear Apollo principal, who is leaving at the end of the month for Gateway Community School in Camarillo.

Rohlfing watched Trustee Eric Lundstrom of Simi Valley Unified School District hand out diplomas to the 59 Apollo graduates during an intimate ceremony June 19 that included tears, laughter and hope for the future.

"It's very much bittersweet," Rohlfing said after the commencement. "I'm looking forward to the new thing, but it's very hard to leave here. The parents are great, the kids are great."

The graduation ceremony began with seniors walking the center aisle to their seats, each holding one blue and one white flower. Rohlfing welcomed the crowd and thanked teachers, support staff, family members and students.

Sandra Camarena, Kelli Hailey, Casey Jordan, Tiffany Coker and Daniel Gomez were honored as scholarship winners.

Rohlfing presented a diploma to Jon and Darlene Kandel, the parents of Brianna Kandel, who died March 21 at age 17. Brianna had finished all her graduation requirements and would have walked with her fellow classmates.

Holding his daughter's diploma in his hands, Jon Kandel walked back to his seat with his wife. When he sat down, he couldn't hold back his tears any longer.

The Kandels, who attended the commencement with their sons, Chase and Chance, were set to fly to Washington on the weekend for the wedding of their older daughter, Natalie.

The day before graduation, Apollo dedicated a small memorial on campus to Brianna. A peach tree was planted next to a plaque with her name inscribed on it. Brianna's nickname was "Peaches."

"We get the good and the bad this weekend," said her father, who mentioned that Brianna wanted to attend Moorpark College and eventually become a veterinarian. "There was no place where we could visit and talk to her. This is a place we can visit, with all her friends. That's what we really needed: some sort of closure. It gets easier every day, and then at times it gets harder. It's a life-changing thing that's never going to go away."

Valedictorian Stephanie Lieb and salutatorian Casey Jordan spoke to their classmates about how they turned their lives around at Apollo.

Jordan, who enrolled at the school when she was six months pregnant, said she was worried about being ostracized by her fellow students.

"The exact opposite happened," Jordan said. "I'd like to personally thank everyone at Apollo, especially Cris and Maureen. We owe it all to our teachers and parents."

Teacher Cris Sullivan and counselor Maureen Everakes are heavily involved in Apollo's Minor Parent Program.

"I'd like to thank Apollo, the school that never gave up on any of us," Lieb said "Two years ago, I came to Apollo a confused teen. Now, I'm leaving as a confident adult."

Teachers and counselors introduced each graduating senior, and then talked briefly about their extraordinary students.

Angelo Brockway couldn't physically receive his diploma because he's training for the U.S. Army. Stephen Sessums graduated earlier in the year and works two jobs. Scott Martin wants to join the U.S. Navy and said his goal is to be "a chef for famous people." Adriana Villalba graduated on time despite taking two maternity leaves and working a part-time job.

Apollo's graduating class was filled with students who have overcome obstacles. Rohlfing will have fond memories of Apollo's Class of 2008.

"I think this is a very, very pleasant group," she said. "I think they're close with each other. The kids took going to class seriously (the school won five attendance awards from the district this year) and worked hard, and they were also a joy to have on campus."