(Pajaro Valley High students don their graduation attire for a walk past students at Starlight Elementary School Monday. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — A crowd of young students cheered excitedly as they caught sight of a sea of green robes at Starlight Elementary School’s quad Monday.
A group of Pajaro Valley High School seniors participated in the school’s first-ever graduation parade, adorning their graduation colors and marching into the elementary school’s grounds.
Julie Brusa, activities director at Pajaro Valley High, said that the idea for the parade came while working with the school’s leadership group.
“It’s meant to inspire these young kids,” Brusa said, “to show what they can possibly accomplish.”
The graduates entered one side of the quad and walked in zig-zag through the class groups as teachers and staff applauded loudly. At one point, the graduates began reaching out to give the kids high-fives.
“A lot of these graduates went to Starlight themselves,” Brusa said. “So it’s really special and important for them to be here doing this. They wanted to make this connection.”
A few of the Pajaro Valley High participants mentioned how much they would miss Brusa, who is heavily involved in the Associated Student Body (ASB) and other groups on campus, after graduation.
“She gave us a safe space to be ourselves,” said Emely Cortez, vice president of the ASB. “She always made us feel welcome and listened to our ideas.”
After Monday’s procession, the graduates came together to sit on the stone stage located in the middle of the quad, and took some time to speak to the students about their future.
Starlight Elementary Principal Jackie Medina reminisced with some of the graduates before the parade began. She had been a teacher to some of them when they were at Starlight.
“You guys look so great!” she exclaimed. “Honestly, I’m almost in tears. I’m so proud of you all. You made it.”
Pajaro Valley High will hold its commencement ceremony at Cabrillo College’s Carl Conelly Stadium on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
