Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park May 19.
Photo by Madison Bierl
East County
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As Madison Ogline heard her name called, announcing her graduation from Braden River High School, her mind flashed back to her freshman year.
Ogline had just started at a new school with all new faces. But what stood out to her was all those new faces greeted her with a smile. Now those faces belonged to her friends.
She also thought back to "chorus concerts, endless sleepovers, and my absurd amount of missing homework."
"I’ll never forget these past four years," Ogline said.Â
Braden River's commencement ceremony included 420 graduates who celebrated their high school careers during the May 19 event at Lecom Park.
For Ahaunestee Heard, hearing her name called evoked feelings of happiness, nervousness and nostalgia.
"What's next?" she thought.
"The next thing is to become a successful, independent, and strong business woman," Heard said. "I want to be more successful and build a life for myself for generations to come."
Isai Palacios, one of the students who gave a speech during the ceremony, said the diploma isn't just a symbol of success, but also of community and belief.Â
"As we move on in our lives, there's a lot to be discovered in this world," Palacios said. "We are blessed enough to get to do whatever it takes to reach our end goals, whether it's college, a job, a new city, or something we haven't quite figured out yet."
Laura Gonzales, an assistant principal at Braden River High, gives graduate Ahaunestee Heard a congratulatory hug.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Braden Nguyen, Leah Vo, Lily Medina, Emma Sturtevant and Aaden Kien celebrate their accomplishment after the ceremony ended May 19.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Moksha Pitchala and Sophi Jo Branscomb eagerly await the start of the Braden River High commencement ceremony May 19.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Aliyah Fatmi says she felt relieved and proud when her name was called to receive her diploma from Lakewood Ranch High School.
Photo by Madison Bierl
As Madison Ogline receives a hug from Aaden Kien, she feels pure shock they made it through the ups and downs of high school.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ava Losada, a member of the Black Pearls dance team at Braden River, waves as her name is called.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Isai Palacios says the diploma the Braden River High graduates earned isn't just a symbol of success but also a symbol of community and belief.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Joaquin Palacios and Gabriel Zegarra are proud to represent their home country of Peru as they graduate from Braden River High School May 19.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Kaylynn Magee, who served as public affairs officer for the Braden River JROTC, makes her way over to receive her diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Rebecca Austerman, an assistant principal at Braden River High School, congratulates graduating senior Jordan Tucker.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Alexis Huffstutler, who has been part of the Braden River theater department for the past three years, makes her way down the line with her diploma in hand.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Matthew Nesser, athletic director at Braden River High School, shakes hands with graduate Kylie Mohamed.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Vice Chair Richard Tatem congratulates Kaiya Peters, a member of JROTC and one of the commencement speakers, for graduating.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Cindy Spray, chair of the school board, congratulates John Franco at the Braden River High commencement May 19 at LECOM Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Raylin Sparks, Hazel Sauceda, Makiyah Stroman and Riley McGee prepare to finish their Braden River High School careers May 19.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jacob Zinkhan, Sophi Jo Branscomb, Kylie Mohamed and Luis Chacon pose for a selfie prior to the Braden River High School commencement ceremony at LECOM Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Kaiya Peters, Chloe Pogoda and Isai Palacios were the student speakers at the Braden River High School commencement ceremony May 19 at LECOM Park.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
