‘Academically, you have set a high standard’

Marisa O’Neil

Even as they prepared to move on, Corona del Mar High School’s

seniors posted some impressive numbers.

Principal Bob Metz proudly read off the class of 2005’s stats

during Thursday’s graduation ceremony -- and thus in their last

minutes as high school students.

A whopping 72% will attend a four-year college, he said. Three

percent of those will go on to Ivy League institutions.

Twenty-five percent will go to a two-year college, and 3% will go

to a visual, technical or performing arts college.

“Academically, you have set a high standard,” he told the crowd of

seniors, friends, family and well-wishers gathered on the school’s

athletic field.

But that didn’t mean there wasn’t time for fun.

Beach balls bounced among the mortarboards during some points of

the ceremony.

White doves flew at its conclusion. Students Jackie Colgate and

Matt Loeb performed an acoustic song, “Forever Time,” which they

composed as part of their senior projects.

And some seniors decided to get a little funky, including wearing

the traditional Hawaiian lei.

And then there was Alex Svadijian’s colorful dress -- which

depicted Betty Boop as the Venus di Milo -- hidden under her

graduation gown.

It was a lighthearted fashion statement from the 18-year-old, who plans to major in international business and global studies at Cal

State Fullerton, with minors in Spanish and Japanese.

“Plus a sorority,” she added.

Others, such as friends Alexa McCarthy, 17, and Kendall Shue, 18,

planned to make the most of the summer before heading their separate

ways to college.

Alexa plans to go to Arizona State University, Kendall to the

University of Utah.

“We’re going to spend as much time together as we can,” Alexa

said.

The beginning of the end would be the post-ceremony Grad Night at

Dave and Buster’s.

Just before accepting the graduating class, Newport-Mesa Unified

School District trustee Serene Stokes joked that parents could now

relax about the district’s zero tolerance -- known as “4210” --

approach to drugs and alcohol.

“Tonight, for the first time, you won’t be worried if the 4210

policy will apply,” Stokes teased.