Stadium stands were packed with family and friends at Mission Bay High School’s graduation commencement on June 6, with some tossing confetti and all congratulating the class of 2024.
MBHS principal Dr. Eric Brown led a procession of San Diego Unified School District officials on the school’s playing field followed by more than 250 students as they strolled to “Pomp and Circumstance,” marching out into the world to seek their destinies.
The expressive crowd was entertained by the Preservationists, MBHS’s jazz band, directed by school alum Jean-Paul “JP” Balmat. A student welcome was issued by Imanii Poole with speeches delivered by senior class president James Khoury, valedictorians Jake Wolff Seecof and Maxime Adrien Vergnet, and salutatorian Ellie Bauer, as well as Brown. Board of Education vice president Dr. Cody Petterson accepted the Class of 2024.
Describing the graduation ceremony as a “monumental milestone,” Poole said, “My deepest thanks to the dedicated teachers and mentors. Your guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support have been the driving force behind our academic success. You have not only imparted knowledge, but also have inspired us to think critically, to challenge ourselves, and to strive for excellence in everything we do.”
Khoury, speaking of the Class of ’24, addressed their high school instruction beginning during COVID isolation. “We made it,” he said. “We started high school not seeing anyone sitting at home in online school. And today, we end high school dreaming of our future lives and getting ready for college.”
Seecof referred tongue-in-cheek to being somewhat “sleep deprived” during the year admonishing his colleagues to “build a better sleep schedule” now that they have graduated.
Vergnet said, “I view the Class of ’24 as the potential to achieve great things.”
“I’m incredibly lucky to be a part of this graduating class,” noted Bauer. “We truly cemented our legacy at Mission Bay.”
Brown, in his principal’s address, concluded: “Graduating high school for you was no small achievement, and is a testament to your hard work, your dedication, and perseverance over the last four years. You’ve overcome challenges such as the pandemic and forged friendships that will last a lifetime. Today, we’re not just celebrating your academic achievements, but also your growth as individuals. Don’t be afraid to take risks, and embrace failures. Risk-taking leads to more confidence in yourself. Failure is a natural part of life … Dust yourself off and keep going. It’s how you bounce back from those failures that will truly define you. Savor every moment like it’s your last. Go Bucs.”
