Homestead High School Class of 2011 First to Graduate in New Stadium

Did artificial turf ever look more fabulous? Homestead High School's Class of 2011 inaugurated the school's brand-new stadium on a sparkling Thursday afternoon.

With the Homestead Wind Symphony performing, 467 students walked the bright green field, across the huge green "H" at the 50-yard line, as parents, family and friends took pictures from the shiny metal stands.

"We had a beautiful ceremony," said Assistant Principal Tara Grande, who coordinated the event. Resplendent in green graduation gowns, underneath white and green banners, the Class of 2011 was the first to use the stadium.

Senior Class President Melina Foden presided over the introduction and introduced the graduation theme from a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Senior class officers Ruoxi He and Kevin Yang introduced the Honor Guard.

Tania Maxwell and Evelyn Siu were the class speakers. Liz Williams was the staff commencement speaker. There were 23 valedictorians. Academic Deputy Superintendant Kate Jamentz and Fremont Union High School District Trustee Bill Wilson presented the diplomas.

After the recessional, parents and family, staff and graduates, all adjourned to the quad, for the Class of 2011's one last time together there, for the reception.

In full disclosure: Los Altos Patch Editor L.A. Chung ('74)  was sorry not to have been there to take pictures. A special thanks to Ann Finnie, (Class of '81) for offering her pictures of graduation 2011 at Homestead to appear here.

A full list of graduates, and the program appear on the pdf documents that accompany the article.

Patch invites you to upload pictures and give a shout-out here to your favorite grad, teacher, staff or friends on this article.