This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

LEUSD Summer Grads Honored

District wide, students who had fallen short on credits were honored Wednesday during a graduation ceremony at Temescal Canyon High School.

Forty Lake Elsinore Unified School District high school students pushed back personal barriers and circumstance to complete graduation requirements and attain a life goal today.

Wednesday’s graduation event at Temescal Canyon High School featured students from across the district who attended summer session to finally complete their high school careers.

Processional pomp and circumstance -- with students wearing their home-school-colored caps and gowns -- was proudly on display.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This is my favorite graduation as the students overcome so many obstacles to get here,” said Amy Campbell, LEUSD graduation administrator. “These students had less than 20 credits to complete, and (they) finished through online programs.”

Elsinore High School's Ernesto Garcia, 18, hurdled a late start to accomplish his graduation goal Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“My freshman year, my older brother was killed in a car accident. I didn’t see the purpose in filling my life with books, books, books if it is over tomorrow,” he explained.

But Garcia persevered with the help of his family.

“I have future plans of attending Mt. San Jacinto with the option of a four-year transfer to a Fullerton school. I am talking with a counselor as I plan to become an RN. They are always needed!” he said.

Elsinore graduate 18-year-old Anthony Campbell admitted he “messed up” in his high school career, but he proudly walked on Wednesday.

“I didn’t pass classes. I was struggling and lazy,” he explained. “My mom said, ‘You are going to regret it.’ Today, I am walking for my mom.”

Campbell said despite graduating, he does have some regrets.

“Although I am going to Mt. San Jacinto, I wanted to head straight to a four-year school.”

Eighteen-year-olds Alicia Portillo and Dinorah Lopez both admitted they took too long to complete high school, but were spurred on by the summer session.

“I feel better doing it this way,” Elsinore's Portillo said. “It is more intimate and requiring more effort since it is self-directed through completion of labs.”

LEUSD Superintendent Dr. Frank Passarella reminded the grads to accept their conditions and rise above.

“The emphasis is not that you do it, but that you have done it!”

Clarification: Forty students from across the LEUSD graduated as part of the summer session, but only 20 opted to take part in the graduation ceremony yesterday.

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?