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As the strains of pomp and circumstance rang out, played by the SPHS orchestra led for a final time by Howard Crawford, the South Pasadena High School Class of 2024 filed onto Roosevelt field to receive their diplomas and celebrate their achievements and resilience. This was the class that started high school during a global pandemic and persevered to emerge stronger and forever changed. On June 5, 2024 esteemed SPUSD leaders, faculty, dignitaries, families and friends gathered to mark the profound transition into the next leg of their journey.
The theme of the day was “Don’t Wave No Goodbye” (a lyric from the Grouplove song “Tongue Tied”) with Senior Class President, Charlotte Dekle, leading the proceedings and expertly announcing every one of her classmates for the presenting of diplomas. The National Anthem was sung acapella by Christianna Chang and Vivian Yu. Next was a speech by Noble Jones entitled, “How Did We Survive That?” followed by Lillian Sherman who gave her speech entitled “What Now?” Noble described high school like “being shot from a catapult into the stratosphere” that luckily they all seemed to have learned how to do a “saving dive roll” to survive the fall. He acknowledged that everything was about to change but he knew they were ready for it. He told his classmates “wherever you’re going in life, I will see you there.”
Senior Class Secretary, Hanna Bae, introduced the dignitaries on hand for the event including SPUSD Superintendent, Dr. Geoff Yantz, and President of the Board of Education, Karissa Adams. Senior Class Treasurer, Ian Chang, presented the senior class gift. The Class of 2024 has designated their class gift to the renovation of the SAC room, what Chang called “the center of our campus culture that will always hold a special place in our hearts.” Funds will go towards renovating the furniture and equipment to update the space for the next generation of students.
The Presentation of the Class was made by Principal John Eldred and the presentation of diplomas was delivered by Superintendent Dr. Geoff Yantz and Board of Education President Karissa Adams. Commissioner of Academics, Katherine Tam, presented the Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Linus Sun, and Salutatorian, Ryan Estansilao.
A farewell was delivered by Senior Class Vice President, Rowan Smith, after which the singing of the school’s alma mater was sung for the final time by the Class of 2024 on Roosevelt Field. At this point tassels were moved to the opposite side from where they once were, caps were tossed and the strains of “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove rang out as the graduates gathered with their friends and families on the lower field.
Those who spoke reflected on unique, sometimes challenging, and memorable years at South Pasadena High School and the city in which they grew up. This was a class who began their high school experience with so much uncertainty, who learned new ways of succeeding right alongside their teachers, coaches and administrators.
They persevered with courage, determination and joy, profoundly changed and now look forward. Looking out at her classmates, Lillian Sherman encouraged them to not allow the sometimes cruel world to render them cynical and bitter but suggested that “maybe the most radical thing you can be is kind.”
Congratulations South Pasadena High School graduating Class of 2024!
SPHS GRADUATION CEREMONY 2024 PHOTOS:
NOTE: If you use these photos for social media, a photo credit is required, and greatly appreciated. Photo Credit: Shari Correll | South Pasadenan News, unless otherwise credited by Rachel Fox
