Dr. Victor Thompson, NPIEN Executive Director, and Uncle Henry Kamae, ukulele extraordinaire, were the commencement speakers at Vista High School, Lynwood Unified School District, in Los Angeles, CA. Ron Grider, Vista Principal, invited Thompson and Kamae to participate. Uncle Henry sang one of the Vista favorites Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and a medley of Hawaiian songs. Thompson, a former Lynwood High School administrator, spoke about hard work and perseverance. He also noted that this was a historic day, in that three Pacific Islanders were seated on the center stage, from Hawaii (Kamae), Samoa (Thompson), and Fiji, Dr. Lal, Lynwood Superintendent of Schools. It was good to see former Lynwood High teachers who are now all at Vista, Clarice Chatmon, Margaret Jackson, and Mike Roddy. Congratulations Vista graduates, Class of 2009!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Vista High School Commencement, Lynwood, CA
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Victor, I was so surprised when I saw the comment on line. It was a great graduation made special with you as guest speaker and Uncle Henry singing so magnificently. It was an occasion with such a group of distinguished Pacific Islanders on one stage and several graduates representing the Islands. We were honored that day. Thank you for your support from L.A. County Office of Education and our ACSA district which you are President of in 2009/10. Continuation students are seldom recognized for their accomplishments but not at Lynwood. Vista is an outstanding continuation high school which graduates approximately 11% of the total graduation class of the district. As the retiring prinicpal I thank you for your support and dedication to our students and their success. Ron Grider.
Post a Comment