By Mary O’KEEFE

Commencement of the Class of 2010 was a bittersweet occasion on Friday. As always bittersweet for parents who, by the simple act of their seniors moving their cap tassel from one side to the other, see their children move on to the adult phase of their life. It was bittersweet for seniors who although anxious about their future, say goodbye to friends who they have known for most of their lives. And this year it was a bittersweet time for so many retiring teachers and for long time principal Linda Evans who herself graduated from Crescenta Valley High School.
“I consider this class legendary,” said Divya Goel during her graduation speech. “This is the last class Mrs. Evans will see graduate and cry over. The last class that Yam [teacher Joyce Yamaguchi] will grill on an essay. And the last class Mr. Bob Allen can enrich with his math and brainwash into being brilliant. We are the last pep squad that will be coached by Ms. [Vickie] Bouldin. The last football team that will be watched over by [coach Tony] Zarillo and the last transcripts that will be filed by Mrs. Zarillo. Each one of these teachers and administrators will be graduating with us and are part of this graduating class.”
Evans took the stage at Stengel Field and presided over a graduating class for the last time. She didn’t cry but her voice was a little shaky at times.  There was an obvious air of pride as she bragged about this last class of 742 graduating seniors.
“Sixty-three percent of this class is graduating having met the requirements to directly enter a four year school. They have met what we call the A to G requirements and can go anywhere and do anything at any college,” Evans said. “It is an impressive group; 70% have taken four years of math and three years of science.”
That is beyond the state’s requirement for high school graduates.
Evans said she was extremely proud of this class’ community service.  Out of the 742 students 580 had logged community service hours recorded at the school and 297 of those students have logged at least 100 hours each.
“Together this class has logged 61,428 hours of service to our community,” she said.
She presented the class to Superintendent Dr. Michael Escalante who himself will be leaving the district this year.
“Remember those [teachers and administrators] and where you came from because they made you who you are,” Goel said.

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