A liberating day

Paul Clinton

CORONA DEL MAR -- Corona del Mar High School Principal Sharon Fry

offered simple advice to this year’s graduates during the school’s

commencement ceremony.

Simple, yet profound.

“We live in a beautiful world,” Fry mused, after quoting from a speech

by novelist Anna Quinlan. “Don’t take it for granted.”

Fry, who wrapped up her first year as the school’s principal, spoke

toward the end of a fairly brisk graduation ceremony that ran with

clocklike efficiency.

Almost before all the parents and guests were seated, Elgar’s

processional march rose in volume from the speakers. The 276 graduates,

from the class of 2002, filed across the stage of the school’s quad area.

After the procession, graduates Chris Carpenter and Ben Inouye and two

underclass students harmonized an a cappella rendition of the national

anthem.

A string of speakers, including graduates and school officials,

emphasized the event’s transitional nature for the teenagers, some of

whom will head to colleges and universities, while others will enter the

working world.

Mark Pomerantz, a graduate, advised his peers to “develop the internal

initiative” to succeed.

Graduate Laura Lyon, who also spoke, said the past year was a time

when the teens matured most.

“College aspirations weren’t the only motivation for our activities,”

Lyon said. “It was at this time that our personalities stood out in our

peer group.”

She picked three adjectives, which she said described the class --

“unique, considerate and . . . liberated.” Wild applause broke out after

her last word.

The ceremony was also marked by two musical performances by students.

Shanjean Lee, Lauren Tarantello and Jonathan Turco played “Beautiful

Beginning” on a violin, guitar and conga drum. Lee is one of eight

valedictorian scholars.

In a vocal rendition of an original song, Jacqueline Becker also sang.

Christina Reicher, the senior class president, presented her class’

gift, an electronic marquis to be displayed in front of the school.

After accepting the class of 2002, Newport-Mesa Unified School

District trustee Serene Stokes said students should model themselves

after the New York firefighters who worked to save the lives of victims

trapped in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

“Be a person who is honest and ethical,” Stokes said. “Use the members

of the New York Fire Department to guide your behavior in times of

strife.”