‘Underdogs’ look forward to celebrating graduation together
Dozens of Santa Monica seniors who are graduating or are close to graduating are looking for a place to party this June.
Students at Olympic High School — Santa Monica’s alternative high school — have found themselves without a venue for their annual senior celebration, when students are recognized for their achievements.
For the past two years, a local hotel has sponsored the event, but this year the venue is booked. So in an 11th hour attempt, Olympic senior Jacqueline Franco has taken it upon herself to find a place where she and her classmates can celebrate with their families.
Franco, who will pursue a career as an interior designer, has sent out a dozen query letters to area hotels, hoping to find a sponsor for the June event. Olympic officials are planning the event to be the week of June 7, depending on availabilities.
“Because I’m not a ‘regular’ student, I want something special to celebrate,” said Franco, 18, who transferred from Santa Monica High School last year. She added that she’ll walk the line during the regular graduation ceremonies at Samohi on June 17, but she wants to make sure Olympic’s senior celebration tradition lives on.
At Olympic, students study at their own pace. The student body depends on what day it is, as many students come and go quickly. When students earn enough credits, they graduate individually by ringing a bell in the hallway while classmates cheer them on.
Olympic Principal Suzanne Toyryla started the senior celebration when she came to the school in 1997. Since then, the senior celebration has been held off campus.
“It’s when students get acknowledged and receive scholarships,” said Marcia Gheight, a staffer at Olympic. “It’s just special for them because these students have always been the underdogs.”
Olympic students —who range in age from 15 to 20 years old — have had a rough go of it in their short lives. About 30 percent of the students are on probation. More than 20 percent of the population are special education students. Half of the students work to support the family. Some are pregnant, some of their parents have died and others come from abusive and broken homes.
There are 22 students who have graduated this year at Olympic so far, but those just a class or two away will be honored as well.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.