Schools
MVHS Graduation: 2013 Nighthawks Soar Into The Future
Murrieta Valley High School sent 494 Nighthawks off during graduation and commencement ceremonies held Thursday, June 6, 2013.
“Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them…so go out there and start creating,” said Murrieta Valley High School Principal Renate Jefferson in her remarks Thursday to the graduating Class of 2013. "Life is short."
“More important than being successful is being significant. Significance means making a contribution to others. Live your dream and share your passion.”
The Murrieta Valley 2013 senior class graduated 494 seniors. There were 96 (19 percent) who had a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99, while 28 (6 percent) of the class achieved a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
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Forty percent of the class plans to attend four-year programs, while an additional 46 percent will go on to two-year programs.
Nighthawk Valedictorian Eli Talbert will study psychology with a full-ride scholarship to University of Pittsburgh.
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Co-Salutatorians Noah Ekstrom is a Regents Scholar and will be headed to UC Davis, while Genelle Gozo to plans to attend CSU San Marcus. Jordan Niell is headed to UC Berkeley to study artificial intelligence.
The Nighthawks are sending three students to the Military academies. Sophia Costes was accepted at the U.S. Naval Academy to study nuclear submarine engineering. The Air Force Academy will be home for Karen Wolf and Harrison Chea. Wolf is Pre-med while Chea plans to major in astro engineering and intelligence.
“I’m a little nervous but honored and grateful to study at the Air Force Academy,” said Chea. “I am the first in my family to serve in the Military, and am looking forward to the experience."
Six percent of his classmates also plan to serve in the Military.
Annika Backlund was named the Nighthawk Student of the Year while Wolf and Nicholas Johnson were the Female and Male Athletes of the Year.
“This was an amazing experience, and it was the perfect ending to an incredible year," said Silvia Kvehl, an exchange student from Italy. “We don’t have this type of graduation ceremony in my country and this is a fantastic way to share this special moment with my American classmates.”
“As I reflect on the Class of 2013 I have become keenly aware that they are an independent class that seeks to find their own solutions” explained vice principal Robert McGonigal.
“They question conventional wisdom and inspire to make their own marks on the world," McGonigal said. "I can see budding entrepreneurs and scientists coming from this group. I can see many who desire to leave the safe harbor of Murrieta to seek new places and new adventures. These young men and women will be pathfinders."
“You are ready to soar and spread your wings, Nighthawks,” said outgoing Principal Jefferson. “So I salute you, and for the last time I will say to you, 'The Nighthawks are in the House—SWOOSH.'"
Congratulations to all the seniors of the Murrieta Valley Class of 2013.