The Gazette

Ahoy Mariner Fans! This First Mates Log is dedicated to our First Graduating Class of Marina High School 2009. From the first day we set sail it has been an absolute adventure. "Navigating the Future" in a new direction!!! The past three years have been more than just going to school and going to classes. Everything we did was a first for everyone!!! We were the first sophomore and freshman class at MHS when we stated in August of 2006. Now here we are June 5, 2009 at 11am in the same Multi-Purpose room we shared for the last 3 years watching you process and receive your diplomas. It was awesome!!!!!

Senior activities began as early as May 21 when all of you left for the First Disneyland Grad Nite from MHS to attend. You loaded up into the vans and left for what would be an All Night Affair (by the way, thanks a lot for taking my mom and leaving without me! Your road trip must have been fun because my mom still won’t talk about it). A close source did tell me that Disneyland was set up like an All Night Disco and music was blaring from one end of the park to the other. Dancing all night, going on adventures rides, Fireworks, how fun was that!!! No wonder you slept all the way home when you left at 6am from the park. I know you heard we were tracking your homecoming (via my mom) by text so that we could welcome you back. We miss you so much even for those few short hours.

Our first Jr-Sr Prom was held on May 23, 2009. You must have still been tired from your trip, but when the dancing started you were ready to go!!! It’s no wonder what makes you guys so great. You are always ready to laugh, share and have fun. You looked awesome too! Whatever happened we were not going to let the Prom be cancelled. We invited the sophomores (just like you when you started) to the Prom and with their help more tickets were sold. It was great to have shared our First Prom in 2007 and your last Prom with you 2009.

Finals Week…you Final Week!!! It went by so fast…one minute we’re going to class and the next you were gone. Sure, we all had a lot of studying to do and socializing was at a minimum, but just knowing you guys were still on campus was comforting. It all hit me during minimum days when tests were over and cramming for the next tests began, but by Wednesday, June 3 you picked up your yearbooks and you were done. On Thursday, June 4, you went to school, attended commencement rehearsal, and attended a luncheon in your honor at Kula Ranch arranged by Teri Siegrist sponsored by the City of Marina. You guys Rock!!!

Graduation Day!!! I don’t know how all of you felt, but I had mixed emotions. I was happy for you, but I didn’t want to see you leave. None of us wanted to see you leave!!! (You had not signed our yearbooks yet) I had heard so much about Commencement, diplomas, Sober Grad Nite, Disneyland and colleges that it hit me…some of you I may not see for a long, long time…or ever again. I remembered not only our first day at school together, but our first days ever when we first met. Some of us have been together since Kindergarten and First Grade, church, Los Arboles and various Clubs and events. I could finally see why my Mom was slowing down her pace because the sooner the day started the closer we would come to its end. Myself, my Mom (and her camera) were off to MHS.

No one was allowed in the Library except for the seniors. All of us reported to class as usual. The commencement ceremony had been moved indoors because of the threat of rain. The multi-use room where we had shared so many lunches, assemblies, dances, and meetings had been transformed to a Commencement Hall. The stage was empty, but for some chairs and a table where I could see the diplomas. The room itself was filled not with folding chairs and where all your families and friends would sit. As they gathered inside the Multi-Use room a good friend of Marina High School was acquired to take your cap and gown portraits on the same field you watched MHS celebrate their First Homecoming Game just months before. By 10:30 it was time to line up. A mass of Blue and Gold cap and gowns were assembled for group pictures in the shape of a V…Victory.

Its 11:00 am, a recording of the Processional begins and you all marched in 2 by 2 lead by the faculty and administration followed. It was Standing room only!!! Only the MHS juniors (your partners in crime for the last three years) were able attend of the student body. Family and friends bundled together in the limited space available (I sat on the Floor!). The ROTC of Marina and Seaside High Schools Presented Colors and Samantha Dixon sang the National Anthem, Followed by Melodie Gibson who sang a song dedicated to her father who could not be in attendance, but had arranged the music for her to sing, it was The Beatles, "There are Places I remember…" There were tears in the House!!!

Introductions were made by Alex Pittaro, Student body President 2009-2010. We were then welcomed by out-going Student body president Samantha Penko, 2008-2009. Valedictorian, Emma Kocina spoke of her High School experience and "how it was cool to bring you parents to the First day at MHS when we first started in 2006". Salutatorian William "Justin" Manning III also spoke. The introduction of our Honorary Key Note Speaker was an emotional moment for us all. Mr. Don Livermore approached the Podium it was obvious this would be an emotional moment for him too. He amused us once again with his sense of humor by fumbling through his notes and quoting the other famous speeches as his own. When he spoke he mentioned our humble beginnings from that first day on campus when we were all given Mariners compass. It is to be used for navigational purposes. Like the Ancient Mariners, we are setting a course in a new direction, our direction and how he hoped we remember that we would always Mariners and set the course!!! He also presented what in the future will be a start of a new mural. This is represented by a constellation of stars. Starting with the "Little Dipper", the Class of 2009 will be forever represented by a star, to be followed by each class upon graduation.

Mr. John Schilling then presented the Marina high School Class of 2009 as having completed all certification for graduation. Dr, Bettye Lusk on behalf the Monterey peninsula School Board accepted. The Introduction of the top seniors was made, diplomas were presented and the official introduction of the Class of 2009 was made. In true Mariner Spirit the graduates presented a gift of a Mascot, "The Mariner", drawn by senior Emilio F. Garcia. Also, as a surprise to everyone, Mr. Livermore was presented with the "First" Marina High School class ring. It was cast in gold, with an oval blue stone with a "Captain" insignia on one side and 2006-2008 on the other. Inscribed on the inside, "Captain Livermore" (I’m still the First Mate).

The "Turning of Tassels" was lead by Emma Kocina. After, the recessional had begun to play. There was no marching out as the "Newly Graduated Seniors" were rushed by family and friends right where they had been seated. It dawned on me at that time, I was now a senior and this would be us next year, WOW!!! I’m going to be in denial for awhile because I don’t want it to end or go too fast. It’s really just beginning for us, class of 2010.

I heard Sober Grad Nite was a Blast!!! My mom did not come home until 5:30 in the morning!!! What’s up with that? After a night of food, fun, dancing, entertainment, prizes and 3 Grand Prizes of Laptop computers (won by Marina High School Students), now I want to graduate!!!

Congratulations to Class of 2009, to their parents, families and friends, to the PTSA and sponsors who made it happen. To the class of 2010…It’s now time to set our course!

Marina High School Class of 2009 - Top Students

• Valedictorian- Emma Kocina
• Salutatorians- William "Justin" Manning III and Darnell Lee

Senior Class Officers 2009

• President – Emma Kocina
• Vice President- Samantha Dixon
• Secretary – Kera Torrence

Excellence in English Awards

• Emma Kocina
• Samantha Dixon

Excellence in Library Science Awards

• Joseph Hornick
• Frederick Pablo
• Haley Wagner

Music Awards

• Monterey Jazz Festival Vocal Jazz Ensemble and
• Soloist for the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Star Band - Melodie Gibson

Scholarships

• NCBI Monterey Chapter - Samantha Dixon and Emma Kocina
• Korean American Grocers Association - Samantha Dixon
• Monterey Bay Teachers Association – Samantha Dixon
• Wells Fargo Bank – William Justin Manning III and Darnell Lee
• The Harles R. Sarment College Endowment – Samantha Dixon
• Matsui Foundation – Emma Kocina
• Winners of the 3 Grand Prize Laptop computers raffled at Sober Grad Night for MHS Seniors: Samantha Dixon, Jessica Sharps and Kera Torrence

The Marina High School Parent Teachers Student Association (PTSA) would like to thank the following Sponsors who donated their Time, Talent and Treasure with our students and made this years Sober Grad Nite possible:

• Sheila Baker – Ambassadors Providing Amazing Care
• Inez Lockwood – Marina Beach Real Estate
• Tom Hornick
• Renee Bailey
• Marina Volunteer Fire Fighter Association
• Gordon and Jeanie Nakagawa
• Michael Mast – State Farm Insurance
• Joanie Hentges
• Lions/Leo Club – Marina Chapter
• Walmart - Marina, CA
• Best Buy – Marina, CA
• Coffee Mia - Marina, CA
• Marina Rotary
• Jackie Gonzales and Gary Wilmot

Last, but not least Jacque Rodriguez/Ohana Reflections Photography for donating her time and taking Senior Cap and Gown Portraits, Group photography and all pictures for this Special Edition. One 5x7-diploma presentation picture is available at no cost. Please call 831-915-0942 or email request to estherlisa15@yahoo.com. All other portraits from this page are available for a small donation to the PTSA.

First Mate Laura Alvarez, Senior, Class of 2010
Sailing off for now… GO Mariners!!!