By Chris Munzing
While the sun blazed mercilessly outside, the class of 2003 sat calm and cool in an air-conditioned gym while friends and family watched with pride.
The ceremony started with a video presentation of the students involved in various activities throughout the year. Then, as the school band played "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduates, in blue gowns and led by the faculty, entered the gym. The crowd cheered and applauded wildly as students looked for their families and parents eagerly waved to their children.
Salutatorian Jared Kagan spoke to the class, saying that while he was happy to be moving on, he would always remember his high school days. "The thing that makes me almost want to stay [is] the memories," he said. Valedictorian Suzanna Yadgarov echoed Jared's statements. "I hope we never lose touch with our roots," she said.
Principal Nicholas Restivo was particularly emotional during his speech. Restivo was overseeing his first graduating class at Long Beach High, and said that his connection with this class would be with him forever. Restivo also offered the class a little advice. "Don't demand respect, earn it," he said.
The class of 2003 cheered for the principal, the names were read off one by one, and flashbulbs popped from every direction. The graduates walked onstage, received their diplomas, and entered that place called the "real world."
