Tomorrow’s future

Deirdre Newman

Embrace diversity -- that was the underlying theme of Newport Harbor

High School’s 70th graduation ceremony, which took place Thursday

afternoon.

Under gray skies, 424 seniors jubilantly jaunted down the processional

aisle, which was lined with American flags patriotically fluttering in

the breeze -- a solemn reminder of the reality-altering events of Sept.

11 that cast a pall on the beginning of the school year.

Valedictorian Elizabeth Anderson eloquently exhorted her fellow

graduates to seek out common ground.”Rather than isolate ourselves over

our differences, we must work to embrace our similarities,” she said.

Judy Franco, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board president,

said the world is rife with opportunity for the class of 2002.

“The world needs you -- your compassion, your energy,” Franco said.

“More so than any generation, you have the means to solve problems like

hunger, disease and national conflict. I believe that you will indeed

make a difference.”

Interspersed throughout the graduation ceremony were songs that

captured the fleeting feeling of the moment. A quartet of students sang

“Goodbye My Friend,” an emotional ballad about saying goodbye to some

friends forever.

Many students said they intended to keep in touch with their friends

far beyond graduation.

Curtis Cook, 18, who will attend MIT next year and hopes to double

major in math and computer science/electrical engineering said the

terrorist attacks brought the senior class closer together.

“I don’t want to lose contact with my friends,” Cook said.

Luis Perez, 18, who is the first person in his family to graduate from

high school and go to college, said he also made some cherished friends.

“Being on the swim team was a really good experience. I was the only

Latino on the team and really bonded with a couple of guys,” Perez said.

Family members and friends of the graduates rushed onto the field

after graduation to congratulate them.

Judith Esquivel said she was thrilled to see her daughter, Cindy,

graduate.

“I’m super happy,” Judith said. “It’s a dream come true for her. It

will open doors for the future.”