Vista Murrieta High School Graduates 746—With 'Class'

They came as bright-eyed freshmen and four years later, left with confidence and C.L.A.S.S.

As 's seventh graduating class, the 746 seniors of the Class of 2012 lived up to the school's motto of Character, Leadership, Attitude, Scholarship and Service, Principal Darren Daniel said.

"We can not discount the fact that six classes have become before you," Daniel said. "But because of you...there is a distinction. Outsiders looking in continue to take notice."

Family, friends and district and school administrators gathered in Bronco Stadium Wednesday to send the graduates on their way. But not before Daniel reminded them to be proud of their accomplishments.

There was a lot to celebrate, such as the school winning this year. That makes eight sports titles for the school, he said. Boys track and field won its third consecutive Division 1 championship, and the

And senior softball player Sierra Romero holds the national record for home runs.

Vista Murrieta was also selected as a for the fourth consecutive year.

"Find me another school that can match that talent," Daniel said."...Our students have put us on the map."

He encouraged them to continue that legacy.

"...Always stretch forward, stretch your capacity. And never settle for mediocrity. Class of 2012, your shot is right now. Continue to do things the Bronco way—with class."

Top of the Class

Co-valedictorians Roger-William Ibarra and Stella Chang had the honors of giving speeches, during which they shared knowledge they believe will strengthen their classmates as they head into the next stage of life.

"Some of us have been waiting for this day since the beginning," said Ibarra, who will attend Stanford University in the fall. "Others wish it never came. Regardless, it offers us the next stage in life...When we see a challenge our response should not be to back down and cower. Our response should be as it always is: 'Come at me bro.'"

Ibarra fought a battle of his own his junior year, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He missed school for three weeks to undergo surgery.

He said he worked hard to become valedictorian, and that it didn't come easy. Keeping up a 4.4 GPA and taking 12 Advanced Placement classes earned him a spot as one of the top 10 students in the county.

Chang, who pulled a 4.5 GPA and also took 12 Advanced Placement classes, was happy to share the honor of valedictorian with Ibarra.

Chang will head to Cornell University, where she plans to study economics or law.

There are a lot of things she said she will miss about being a Bronco. One of those things is the Business Craft Club, which she founded. Club members made jewelry and other crafts, which they sold and donated the proceeds from to nonprofits.

"It is a school with a lot of culture. It is a great feeling to know everyone is involved in something."

Referring to the Dalai Lama, Chang in her commencement speech said, "the key is to discover what drives us."

"The people around us have loved and supported us, now it is time to love ourselves," she said.

Headed for Success

Even with all their activities, 12 percent of seniors had a GPA of 4.0 or higher, and 30 percent had a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99.

Eighty-four percent of Vista Murrieta's Class of 2012 plan to attend college—43 percent will attend a two-year college and 41 percent a four-year university.

Of 49 seniors in AVID, a program that helps students prepare for college acceptance, 48 will attend a four-year school.

Thirty graduates have committed to serve in the Military. Two students received appointments to Military academies—Maya Wood to the Air Force Academy, and Sarah Howard to U.S. Naval Academy.

Howard told Patch she reports June 28. There's a 5-to-1 ratio of males to females in the Naval Academy, she said.

"I want to be a Naval officer and serve my country," Howard said, explaining that because her mother was a Vietnam refugee in 1975, she yearns to give back to the country.

Superintendent's Send-Off

Before diplomas were presented, Murrieta Valley Unified School District Superintendent Stan Scheer urged the graduates to keep their integrity.

"It isn't up to anyone else but you to be responsible," Scheer said. "...The worth of our lives comes not from who we know...but who you are."

See an extensive photo gallery of the graduation ceremony for Vista Murrieta High School's Class of 2012 by