Santa Susana seniors say heartfelt goodbyes
By Carissa Marsh Special to the Acorn

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers EMOTIONAL MOMENT- Santa Susana High School senior Steffi Khurana, 18, cries with joy and sadness and gets a hug from fellow senior Danielle Kaufman, 18, (back to camera) as they prepare for the processional Thursday at the Santa Susana High School commencement.

Waving blow horns, balloons and bouquets, a crowd of proud families and friends gathered June 12 in Santa Susana High School's main quad to cheer on the newest class of graduates.

Basking in the glow of evening sunlight and personal success, a procession of 239 seniors marched into the treelined courtyard to the familiar strain of "Pomp and Circumstance."

With graduation day finally upon them, students like ASB president Jamie Trafficanda- in spite of previous senioritis- couldn't help but want to stay in high school a bit longer.

"No matter how sick and tired I was of high school, I was scared to leave. . . . Today is the day we step out on our own," she told the audience, choking up as she spoke.

It was a night of fond memories and sad farewells as the graduates realized a chapter of their lives was ending.

"We have built a bond so great it is heartbreaking to think that this is our last night as a class," valedictorian Steffi Khurana said. "Tonight we are about to divide and start our new journeys in life."

During the ceremony, student vocalist Karissa Castellano sang a song titled "Good-Bye." Written by fellow student Cody Volk, Santa Su alumnus Sam Khosravi and Karissa herself, it summed up the finality of graduation.

"Our trials and our triumphs led us to this point in our lives. I guess I'm not surprised it's time to say goodbye," Karissa crooned.

The tune's lyrics also acknowledged the lasting impact of the knowledge and life lessons gained in four years.

"I know that what I learned here will hold me always," Karissa sang.

Senior class president Danielle Kaufman's address to her fellow Troubadours held similar optimism for a bright future after Santa Su.

"Today we receive our diplomas, and the moment we hold them in our hands, we are free," Danielle said. "Free to take the world by storm. Free to maneuver our lives wherever we want to go."

Principal Pamela Carter has no doubt the students will go far, if that means being an Internet tycoon or headlining at a comedy club.

She highlighted the year's accomplishments during commencement, but the most touching- and hilarious- moments came when she called out a number of seniors she'd come to know particularly well.

Carter told Miles England she will "miss the charm you think you have" and praised Saamon Legoski, who "learned to play more instruments in four years" than anyone else.

The magnet school of technology and the arts encourages creativity, and although it also cultivates individuality, it was clear the senior class was closeknit.

"As a group we are united and spirited, but at the same time we are all unique individuals," salutatorian Kelsey Kasten said, noting how strange it was to see everyone wearing the same black gowns and teal sashes.

But whether a student was a techie (like technology award recipient Spencer Balsz), a theater buff (like performing arts award winner Kurtis Guy), a bookworm or a dancer, Jamie said, she and her classmates all share a common thread as part of the Class of 2008.

Carter left the graduating class with one final request, a lifelong assignment of sorts.

She challenged the students to "be better each day than yesterday, but not as good as you will be tomorrow."

Looking out on the sea of students, Danielle had no doubt the graduates would pass that test.

"I see so much talent, so much intelligence, so much potential," she said. "I can't wait to live in the world we are about to change."