Class walks with pride after tough times

Mike Sciacca

Deepika Sharda called the day a dream come true.

Chad Allison referred to it as a stepping stone to his future.

The two 18-year-olds stood proud among 487 students who were part

of Huntington Beach High School’s Class of 2004, which graduated June

17 at Sheue Field on campus.

The ceremony, which lasted an hour and took place before packed

bleachers, was succinct and business-like.

Following an introduction by Principal Frank Berry, senior Ashley

Hicks delivered the first speech, titled, “Reflections,” which

touched on what the Class of 2004 experienced during its four years

at the school.

Two classmates followed Hicks as Melissa Solomon gave a speech on

“Inspiration” and Jeff Eberly talked about “Our Future.”

Although several students didn’t want to talk about what their

days at Huntington Beach High meant to them, Sharda, who graduated

with Specialized Training/Talent Achievement Recognition, said

graduation day was special to her.

Sharda came to Surf City five years ago from Punjab, India.

“My dream has come true,” she said upon graduating. “It was

somewhat tough to make a new start here, but I liked Huntington right

away.

“I also liked this school very much. My teachers were very nice

and studies came easily to me. I got what I wanted out of high school

and I’m very satisfied today.”

Sharda will continue her education at Cerritos College, where she

said she will pursue a degree in nursing.

As Allison adjusted his cap and gown, he reflected on what the

moment meant to him.

“This is a big day for me and my family, because I’ve applied

myself more and excelled with my education,” said Allison, who

graduated with Scholar-with-Expertise honors.

Allison, who ran track and cross country at Huntington, is heading

to Cal State Long Beach in the fall and plans to study industrial

design.

“I’m continuing my education beyond high school, and that hasn’t

really happened in my family,” he said. “I’m proud to start a new

tradition.”

Allison said that the Class of 2004 had been “through a lot.”

“When we were freshmen, one of the seniors, who was an athlete on

campus, died in a car accident,” Allison recalled. “And recently, one

of our classmates, died. We went through some tough times, both at

the start and end of our time here at Huntington.”

Last month, Allison said he and fellow classmates were stunned by

the suicide of classmate Chris Davidson on prom night.

“I think we had a really close class, one that has gone through a

lot in four years,” Allison said. “I’ve grown to really cherish and

respect my friends, whom I’ve been friends with since middle school

at Dwyer. This is a day to celebrate getting through our four years

here.”

Nancy Nguyen, 18, was the class valedictorian and was the first

student awarded a diploma.

“We are flying out of the bird cage,” said Nguyen, a Scholar with

Distinction, who carried a 4.77 GPA and was involved in several

school activities during her four years.

Nguyen will study human biology and mathematics at Stanford

University in the fall.

“High school taught me a lot,” she said. “The growing I went

through and the trials I had, only made me stronger. I learned more

about the politics at this school as the years went on. It’s a big

school and everyone had their clique, but we all made it through

these four years together. That’s a great feeling.”