Sultana High School graduates asked to ‘Be the Sunrise’
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Sultana High School seniors roared with excitement as Principal Larry Bird welcomed them to the school’s 27th commencement ceremony at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino.
Wearing teal caps and gowns, the class of 2023 included 429 Sultans, including 19 valedictorians, who will attend universities like Cornell, Purdue, Connecticut State, and the University of California, San Diego.
On Wednesday, Sultana High Symphonic Band welcomed the class with “Pomp and Circumstance” followed by the Presentation of Colours by the Sultana AFJROTC.
Student speakers included ASB President Anessa Zapata, and valedictorians Isaiah Crowe and Claire Lledo. The Senior Quartet of Valerie Vegas, Brianna Abbott, Jamari Holloway, and Andrew McDonald also sang “Count on Me.”
The senior class officer closing and tassel ceremony was led by Abiagael McNelis, Peyton, Marshall, Gabriella Willis, Paisli Heywood, and Giada Sadach.
Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent David Olney, the school board and staff were also on hand to congratulate the seniors.
Of the thousands in attendance, Apple Valley residents Albert and Lore Padilla, both 65, were there to support nephew Ramon Calderon, while former Hesperia Mayor Bill Holland and his wife, Lynnette, cheered on their grandson, Jacob Patrick Jackson.
'A beautiful day for us'
Bird used much of the ceremony to praise the accomplishments of his students in the classroom, the community, and in athletic play.
"Your first day of kindergarten was my first day at Sultana. What a beautiful day for us," Bird said. "Today, we come to the sunset time as your years at Sultana come to an end. When the sun sets in the west, you will experience the next sunrise in your life-a new beginning both scary and exhilarating. But have no fear-you, are well-prepared."
He added that the pool of valedictorians is one of many proofs that the senior class is well equipped to face the future.
The valedictorians are Brianna Abbott, Noah Cain, Shawn Rae Cervantes, Isaiah Crowe, Aiden Crowley, Iralda Gutierrez, Alyssa Kelley, Claire Lledo, Peyton Marshall, Mariah Nava, Oscar Orduna Aispuro, Michelle Ramirez Guevara, Rolando Romero, Avry Rowland, Tanya Salvatierra, Scott Svedin, Valerie Vega, Daniel Villanueva, and Anessa Zapata.
"Claire Lledo came to America in 5th grade from the Philippines, speaking no English and starting her education as a 10-year-old," Bird said.
Lledo mastered English and was accepted into the school's Early College Academy. She completed the fine arts and medical pathways, earned 71 college units, and graduated as valedictorian, along with Peyton Marshall, school officials said.
She can now start college as a junior.
"Her sunset today has the sunrise of tomorrow already built in," Bird said.
Twenty-seven students wore the early college academy stole, having taken at least seven college classes. Another 70 seniors completed at least two dual enrollment college classes, Bird added.
The principal also mentioned several students who faced tragedy and challenges, like Marcus Miranda who recovered after being seriously injured nearly four years ago. The medical staff was amazed he survived.
Like watching ‘Superman’
Brid said while showing the highest sportsmanship, Sultana athletes also accomplished amazing feats.
“This year in track, Elijah Crook broke the school record with a jump of 22 feet 11 inches,” Bird said. “Watching him glide to the pit was like observing Superman flying through the air.”
Crook made first-team All-League All-League (Mojave River League) CIF, and Master’s Champion He will compete this Saturday for a state championship, Bird said.
Winning the Key Game
Altogether, the class of 2023 athletics had two cheer state titles, seven league titles, two CIF titles, a runner-up CIF title, and one CIF state title.
Bird, who stated that the Sultans had their best football season in over 15 years, excited the crowd when he said, “And yes, we won the Key Game, winning in exciting fashion, 35-34. Can I hear those keys ring?”
The annual Key Game between the Hesperia High School Scorpions and the Sultana Sultans dates back to Sultana’s first year.
Bird also mentioned the Sultans football team defeating Serrano High School for the first time in 17 years, and making it to CIF for the first time in five years.
He also mentioned football coach Terry Cleveland’s hope for the future when he said, “These student-athletes are the creators of a new era of Sultana Football. They can't stop and won't stop. Gotta, gotta, gotta win.”
The Sultans baseball team made it to the CIF Semifinals, the farthest ever in school history, and almost getting to the finals, Bird said.
Girls soccer senior captains Mariah Nava, Giada Sadach and fellow senior Annie Valenzuela played four years on varsity.
They, along with Daytona Breuer, had 10 shutouts this season and were ranked as high as 14th.
“One of my favorite memories was Annie scoring an amazing goal and running off the field saying, ‘Mr. Bird, did you get it?’”
Bird replied by telling Valenzuela that he got the photo of her making the goal and “It’s already posted on Instagram.”
“The Lady Sultans basketball team was led by seniors Kadyn Pele and Alexis Dean, who got up for early morning practices, sacrificed family vacations over school breaks, suffered injuries and illnesses, but persevered throughout the season, receiving the league’s best sportsmanship award,” Bird said.
Be the sunrise
Continuing with his “sunrise” theme, Bird told the graduates to remember the acronymS-U-N-R-I-S-E:
Stand strong together.
Unite with your friends and family.
Navigate the difficulties that lie ahead.
Run the race to win.
Initiate maximum effort always.
Stoke your curiosity often.
Enjoy your wonderful life and your sunrise.
Bird asked the graduates to “be the sunrise” by practicing honesty and truthfulness; focusing on moving forward and not looking back, and pursuing life with a passion.
Additionally, by practicing servant-based leadership, choosing to be optimistic and helping others to believe in themselves.
“Class of 2023, be the sunrise that we all need. And maybe, just maybe, you can help bring the light of a sunrise to this world that is coming out of the night,” Brrd said. “Congratulations Class of 2023, your next sunrise is just around the corner.”
View more photos at our Sultana High School Graduation photo gallery.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Sultana High School graduates asked to ‘Be the Sunrise’
