This was historic.
Leroy Greene Academy held its first-ever high school graduation Thursday at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento – and all 30 seniors walking across the stage had completed coursework required to enter a four-year college.
“I am honored to know you and to have served as your principal,” Leslie Sargent said. “I look forward to all the great things that you will achieve in your future. LGA has supported you to ensure that you are college and career ready, now it is up to you to take all that you’ve learned and go out and show the world what Lion Pride is all about.”
Jordan Tauth and Manprit Samra jointly spoke as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, prompting Principal Sargent to comment that doing so was “only fitting because they’ve been best friends since 8th grade.”
Jordan and Manprit recalled their progression from uncertain freshmen to seniors getting ready for college. LGA wasn’t always easy — all students commit to a college-prep schedule — but the hard work paid off.
Jordan likened the college process to hunting for a favorite toy as a child, finding it, asking for it – then having to wait four months for an answer.
Jordan and Manprit made it clear they’ll miss LGA – and their Lion classmates.
Staff Speaker Ben Odell said he struggled for weeks to write a speech for this occasion, though words usually come easy to him. “I think I struggled with this speech because this is a goodbye of sorts,” he said. “And I’ve never been good at goodbyes.”
Odell said he feels as if the Class of 2017 is a family. He’s known the graduates for more than a quarter of their lives. For students who have attended LGA since they were freshmen, Odell said he has averaged more than 1,000 hours of class time with them.
These graduating seniors were there when LGA opened as the only district-operated charter school, and when the state adopted new content standards, and when LGA expanded to high school, and when it launched a sports program, and when it implemented AP courses, Odell noted. The list could go on and on.
“I’ve always heard the phrase, ‘you can’t choose your family,’” Odell said. “I just feel blessed that this group is the family I’ve gotten,” he said.
Odell said he wakes up every day overjoyed at being an educator. He wishes the same type of joy for this year’s Class of 17. “Keep an open mind in college and pursue your passions,” he said. “Find out what you’re interested in and pursue it.”
In closing, he asked LGA’s seniors to consider the support system of teacher, parents or attending Thursday’s ceremony. Don’t be afraid to reach out to these people if you need help in the years ahead. “We love you guys so much,” he concluded. “Congratulations!”
