By Odalis A. SUAREZ

It was all smiles and excitement for seniors at Clark Magnet High School as they received their graduation diplomas last Friday.
The high school amphitheatre, structured the same as Rosemont Middle School, was filled with hundreds of family and friends who were on hand to watch the 250 graduates take their last steps as Clark students.

Principal Doug Dall donned dark sunglasses and a green Gumby beaded necklace for the occasion. Speaking of the importance of loyalty, he referenced recently deceased UCLA coach John Wooden who Dall said was “famous for his loyalty.”

Assistant Principal Kristina Provost presented all seven candidates for valedictorian and salutatorian. She then announced that Artur Sarafian was the class salutatorian and Fahad Elias Nathan was the valedictorian.  Both students had a GPA well over 4.0.

Three student speeches were delivered during the ceremony, each recounting memories or certain characteristics about their school. Commenting on the desire to create their own identity, speaker Christie May Morishige said, “Even through we had a dress code we found different ways to express ourselves.”

The class was presented to the board of education at which time board member Nayiri Nahabedian accepted the class of 2010. As their names were called, the students walked across the amphitheatre to collect their leather bound diplomas.
At the conclusion of the ceremony students and families fought the massive crowd to find each other and embrace in a congratulatory hug.