Schools

Vista Murrieta Class of 2013 Overcomes Challenges

Some have faced small challenges, while others faced bigger ones, Principal Darren Daniel said. "But tonight you and I are moving on to a new chapter together."

Vista Murrieta High School senior Leslie Rivera never thought she would spend graduation night the way she did, but the important part was that she was there.

Rivera, among the top 50 in her class, was deciding whether to attend University of California, Berkeley or University of California, San Diego, when she was diagnosed with Leukemia March 25. It was just a few short months before the Class of 2013 was due to don their caps and gowns at Bronco Stadium.

“It is a bittersweet feeling seeing my friends and how they are experiencing it,” Rivera said Friday. “This is not what I would have wanted but I’m grateful to still experience it.”

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Principal Darren Daniel fought back tears as he gave Rivera a special shout out from the stage.

“Leslie, you are an exemplary Bronco, I want to dedicate this last speech as principal to you,” said Daniel, who after 10 years of serving at the campus that opened in 2003 has taken a job at the district level.

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Daniel continued by saying all of the 718 members of the Class of 2013 should be commended. Some have faced small challenges, while others faced bigger ones, he said. During their four years, they endured the deepest cutbacks to education funding in state history, he said.

“You’ve done more with less than any other class,” Daniel said. “...Regardless, we made it through to this glorious milestone of American education.

"Tonight you and I are moving on to a new chapter together.”

The Class of 2013 “is loaded with talent,” Daniel said, noting their many CIF sports titles, their successful AVID program, their JROTC, their award-winning marching band and color guard, along with several other accolades.

Seventy-three students had a GPA of 4.0 of higher, while 120 students achieved a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99.

Fifty students have committed to serving in the military, while 288 graduating seniors are heading to four-year universities.

Thirty student-athletes will go on to play on athletic scholarships.

Valedictorian Alexander Ni, who has been accepted to Cornell University, gave inspirational words to his classmates.

“Take a moment and look at just how many people are in this stadium to celebrate our accomplishments,” Ni said. “Whatever we face in the future, we are ready.”

For Rivera, that means putting off attending UCSD for a year while she completes chemotherapy.

“I’m just so appreciative that the school—even when I couldn’t pick up the phone—was calling me to make sure I could be here tonight.”

Her family, along with thousands of other family members and friends of the graduates, packed into Bronco Stadium while district and school officials announced the Class of 2013.

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The following poem, "The Curtain Is Closing," was submitted by Kelsey Gage, Class of 2015, Vista Murrieta:

The Curtain Is Closing
By Kelsey Gage

The actors bow gracefully
The curtains close behind them
And they head backstage to go home.

This cast has acted in one of the most meaningful acts of their life.

High School.

Not only have these actors become friends, they have become family.
This cast has been through so much together in four long years of school.
They have learned about love, hate, memories, math, science, history, reading, friendship, relationships, and teamwork.

While some friends have ties to the hand, and some to the mind, these seniors have ties to the heart and soul.
And no matter how far away they are from each other and the high school where they attended pep rallies and football games, nothing can break their bond toward each other or the school.

Of course they will miss it.
They’ll miss the way their adrenaline pumps during rallies.
They’ll miss the way they cheer their football team on during the first few months of school.
They’ll miss how they can just relax with friends in the quad before going to their next class.
They’ll miss the BNN news every day.
But most of all, they’ll miss the way the school was always there for them.

However, when the seniors graduate, they’ll look into the eyes of the crowd cheering them on.
They’ll find their parents, and see a crying mother and a proud father.
Their hearts will swell with emotion, a big smile will cross their faces, and they’ll throw their graduation caps up into the air cheering their victory.

Seniors, you have accomplished one of the most important parts of your life, but just know that your life is only now beginning.
You’ll go through college, and get an amazing career.

But just remember that even though it hurts to say goodbye, we’re never more than a hoof print away.
Farewell Class of 2013. Go out and show the world what it means to be a Bronco!


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