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ALHAMBRA HIGH SCHOOL & VICENTE MARTINEZ HIGH SCHOOL

2 JUNE 2015Graduation Keepsake

A special supplement to the MARTINEZ NEWS-GAZETTE

A supplement of

MARTINEZNEWS-GAZETTE

DAVID L. PAYNE, Publisher

RICK JONES, [email protected]

GERARDO RECINOS, Sports Editor

[email protected]

SCOTT BABA, Production Editor

[email protected]

REBECCA KAPSALIS, Front Desk/Circulation

[email protected]

ROBERT PERRY, [email protected]

BARBARA CETKO, Legal Notices

[email protected]

ROBERT PEREZ, Press Foreman

615 Estudillo StMartinez, CA 94553

Phone: (925) 228-6400Circulation: (925) 228-9800

Fax: (925) 228-1536

The Martinez News-Gazette is a tri-weekly published each Wednesday andSunday. Delivery is $4.50 per month;mailed subscriptions (outside Martinez)are $16 per month. Newsstand price is50¢.

Advertising Standards: Merchandise orservice advertising in the Gazette is ex-pected to be accurately described andreadily available at the advertised prices.Deceptive or misleading advertising isnever knowingly accepted. Complaintsshould be directed in writing to the Mar-tinez News-Gazette at 615 Estudillo St.,Martinez, CA 94553.

By RICK JONESPhotography by ROBERT PERRY

In front of family, loved ones and well-wishers, Alhambra High School’s Class of 2015 celebratedtheir graduation in typical Bulldog style. A packed stadium and sidelines saw 267 senior graduatesaccept their diplomas on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Knowles Field.

Alhambra graduates, falcuty, family, friends andloved ones gathered for the 2015 commencementceremony at Knowles Field, Friday, June 13, 2015.

All hail the conquering graduates!

With the Alhambra HighSchool Band and Orchestraplaying the traditional Pompand Circumstance, the studentsentered the stadium to wildcheers and applause.

The festivities began witha rousing performance of theStar Spangled Banner by sen-ior Mckenzie Favors.

Alhambra principal TomDoppe introduced distin-guished guests, which includedmembers of the Martinez Uni-fied School District board, dis-trict superintendent RamiMuth, Martinez Mayor RobSchroder, and various stafffrom the district office.

Doppe then turned the cer-emony over to the AlhambraStudent Body (ASB) officersand Grace Perkins, ASB presi-dent.

“Todays is one of those

days we will look back on,”Perkins began. “It’s a mile-stone to graduate from highschool and one we workedhard to achieve. the memorieswe made here at this greatschool and in this great townwill be the ones that we cher-ish.”

Perkins encouraged herclassmates to keep the memo-ries of their time at Alhambra.

“(Cherish) the ones welaugh about at reunions and tellour children,” Perkins laughed.“Think about to the first weekof freshman year when someof us felt lost finding our firstperiod, myself included, nowfast forward to our senior yearwhen barely any of us showedup for our first period.

“Think about the other ac-complishments we learnedeach year. We learned to drive

which is a slice of freedom forus and terrifying for our par-ents and the Martinez PoliceDepartment.

“Remember the teacherswho taught you to question theworld we live in. Rememberthe times and the people youencounter.”

Each year the studentschose a faculty member tospeak, AP Government teacherAmy Yunis earned the 2015honor.

“I’ve been asked to speakbefore,” Yunis began. “I wasterrified of standing here anddoing this and I’ve alwayturned it down. After my initialrelief I regretted that decision.

“I realized I ask all of youto do very difficult things andyou usually rise to the occa-sion. I did not rise to the occa-sion. You don’t always get a

second chance, so when you dotake it.”

Yunis urged the students tostrengthen the communitybond that has developed.

“Some of those aroundyou, you may not see themagain,” Yunis said. “Take alook around. I want you to seethem, this is your community.I want you to honor them.Tonight’s your night, celebrateit”

Salutatorian Sam Francistook the podium next.

“I like to think about allthe friends I've made and therelationships I’ve built,”Francs said. “I don’t know allof my peers, but I would like tothank each one of you for mak-ing the last four years the bestthey could have possibly been.

Our class is so accepting

See AHS, Page 3

Graphics & page design byScott Baba

photography byRobert Perry

JUNE 2015 3Graduation Keepsake


and we all feel so comfortablearound each other, that is whatmakes it so amazing.”

Francis closed with acrowd-pleasing chant. “AmyYunis for President 2016!”

Sam Nishita, 2015 vale-dictorian, spoke next to thecrowd.

“I want to thankMr.Doppe and the fantasticfaculty we have here at Al-hambra and their attention tohigh-quality education.”

Nishita recapped the ac-complishments of the 2015graduates.

“From a well-deserved,three years running, last placefinish is the parade float con-test to the first ever AlhambraHigh Film Fest, all the way tomultiple NCS entries in nu-merous varsity sports. But weare not finished yet.

“Our slate is wiped cleanand what we choose to do is upto us. it is our time to make adifference.”

Before the diplomas werehanded out, Principal Doppeoffered some final words.

Doppe used a line frompoet John Milton, who wasgoing blind late in life.

“‘When I consider howmy light is spent’, it’s that linethat echoes in my mind,”Doppe said.

“When you reflect onyour years at Alhambra I hopeyou feel that you spent yourlight in a worthwhile way. Asa class you accomplishedmuch, your brilliance shownin the classroom, you lit up onthe athletic fields. and youshone on the stage.

I hope you consider howyou use your light each day asyou move on to college andinto your careers. I hope thatyou make choices everydaythat are worthwhile that showthat you value the light.

“Class of 2015, you willbe missed. You continued onthe legacy of Alhambra in afine way,” Doppe said. “Asyou move on in life, know thatAlhambra will always be ahome for you.”

AHSContinued from Page 2

2015 ValedictorianSam Nishita addresses the crowd.

Marquiz Ridou acceptshis diploma.

Teacher Amy Yunis and Olivia Mendozaat the Alhambra Commencement Cere-mony on June 12, 2015.

ASB President, GracePerkins gives a speechto her fellow graduates.

Sarah Hatch is all smiles as sherecieves her diploma.

Principal Tom Doppe addressthe seniors for a final time.

Cheyenne Davis celebratesher graduation.



By RICK JONESMartinez News-Gazette

The 2015 Alhambra High School Sen-ior Awards ceremony was heldWednesday, June 3, 2015.

Seniors and family gathered at the Al-hambra High Auditorium as students werepresented with awards. Ninety-two seniors

received over $94,000 in local scholarships. “I continue to be amazed every year

that we recognize so many students and thatthe community has so many different schol-arships they are able to award,” PrincipalTom Doppe said.

“For some of you this is quite liter-ally the culmination of 13 years of work.You have applied yourself in the class-

Local organizations award over $94,000 inscholarships to Alhambra High students

room and have given yourself in thecommunity. We are all very proud andvery impressed with what you have ac-complished,” Doppe continued.

Alhambra High School 2015 Awards and ScholarshipsSalaman Abdurrohman: Leader De-

velopment Award 2014-2015.Raquel Acosta: Leadership Outstand-

ing Service Award 2014-2015.Jamie Agostino: Graduation with

Honors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer.

William Anderson: Ford Motors/AAA Scholarship.

Eric Angeles: Searles Family Scholar-ship.

Paris Arditti: Leadership OutstandingService Award 2013-2015.

Mark Azevedo:Graduation with Hon-ors, Martinez Education Association Schol-arship, Jay Heeb Kiwanis VocationalScholarship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship.

Kaleb Bateman: Martinez Council ofPTAs Scholarship, Eagle Scout Award.

Samantha Bituen: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer.

Jessica Blum: Graduation with Hon-ors, Alhambra Class of 1975 Teacher Appre-ciation Scholarship.

Kayla Bond: Soroptimist Internationalof Martinez Rose Camarata Gaffney Memo-rial Scholarship, Jay Heeb Kiwanis Voca-tional Scholarship.

Aaron Brinkman: National HighSchool Orchestra Award.

Harrison Brown: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Estate of A. Joseph Tavan Schol-arship, AHS Boosters Scholar AthleteScholarship, Martinez Lions Club Scholar-ship, Don Weiss Memorial Math Scholar-ship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, Martinez Chamber of Com-merce Young Man of the Year Award.

Madeline Buck: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, CSF Scholarship, Grad NightScholarship.

Sarah Bullington: Concord KoreanBaptist Church of Martinez Scholarship.

Avedis Buyuker: Lawrence “Jo-V”Miller Memorial Scholarship.

Isabella Campos: Alhambra HighSchool Counselors’ Scholarship.

Nicholas Carreon: Graduation withHonors.

Julia Castro:Graduation with Honors.Edwin Cerda: Caldwell Flores Winters

Scholarship.Kevin Chouinard: Graduation with

Honors, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Con-cord Korean Baptist Church of MartinezScholarship.

Estafania Colmenares: AlhambraHigh School Counselors’ Scholarship.

Rose Clyne: Searles Family Scholar-ship, Moss Family Scholarship, Rose-Chris-tensen Family Scholarship, Jennifer Hollis& Chad Norris Memorial Scholarship,Leadership Outstanding Service Award2015, Martinez Chamber of CommerceYoung Woman of the Year Award.

Ryan DeMello:Arthur McHarry Voca-tional Scholarship.

Mia Dirito: Martinez Women's ClubScholarship, Leadership Outstanding Serv-ice Award 2015.

Jack Dolin: Graduation with Honors.Kaitlin Doolittle: Graduation with

Honors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, Alhambra High School Coun-selors’ Scholarship.

Matthew Dragicevic:Graduation withHonors, Visual and Performing Arts Schol-arship, Grad Night Scholarship.

Jose Elizondo: Leader DevelopmentAward 2014-2015.

Kaitlyn Emigh:Graduation with Hon-ors, California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer, Martinez Education AssociationScholarship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, AAUW Pleasant Hill/MartinezScholarship, Italian Catholic FederationScholarship, Sonoma State University Pres-idential Scholarship, Madelyn SimpsonScholarship, Forrest W. and Ida J. BensonScholarship.

Josh Evans: University of La VerneAcademic Scholarship.

Ruth Fernandez: Graduation withHonors, Alhambra High School Counselors’Scholarship.

Maria Filice:Graduation with Honors,Alhambra High School Water polo Award,The Alhambra Way Scholarship Award.

Ciazonne Foster: Helen Nunes Me-morial Scholarship, Alhambra High SchoolCounselors’ Scholarship.

Samuel Francis: Salutatorian, Gradu-ation with Honors, California Scholarship

See AWARDS, Page 5

May your future be full of good health, happiness, success and prosperity.Start your financial future with a solid strategy.

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Congratulations, Graduates“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

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Federation Sealbearer, CSF Scholarship,Frank Walsh Academic Kiwanis Club ofMartinez Scholarship, Martinez EducationAssociation Scholarship, Martinez Councilof PTAs Scholarship.

Kyle Frohlich: Graduation with Hon-ors, Martinez Women's Club Scholarship,Martinez Council of PTAs Scholarship,Eagle Scout Award.

Julissa Garcia:Visual and PerformingArts Scholarship.

Christian Giannini: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Martinez Arts Association Schol-arship, Martinez Council of PTAs Scholar-ship, AHS Drama Foundation Scholarship.

Laurel Green: Graduation with Hon-ors, California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer, Martinez Arts AssociationScholarship, Martinez Women's ClubScholarship, AAUW Pleasant Hill/MartinezScholarship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, Grad Night Scholarship, ItalianAmerican Federation Scholarship.

Theresa Grube: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Rotary Club of Martinez Aca-demic Scholarship.

Alexandra Haisley: Graduation with

Honors, Northern California ScholarshipFoundation.

Hailee Herndon: Clement Viano Me-morial Scholarship, Tony Rose MemorialScholarship, Martinez Lioness Club Schol-arship, Jenna Betti Memorial Scholarship,Moe Williams Memorial Scholarship, AHSBasketball Scholarship.

Tyler Higgins: Ford Motors/AAAScholarship.

Grant Hill: Graduation with Honors,Martinez Historical Society Scholarship,The Alhambra Way Scholarship Award.

Helene Hollidge: Alhambra HighSchool Water polo Award, OutstandingLeader Development Award 2012-2015.

Sierra Kaul: Martinez Arts Associa-tion Scholarship, Brooks Institute HighSchool Senior Scholarship.

Zach Keever:University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara Athletic Scholarship

Diana Keller:Alhambra High SchoolCounselors’ Scholarship, Comcast Leadersand Achievers Scholarship.

Courtney Kelly: MSA San FranciscoBay Area Academic Scholarship, BYU Ath-letic Scholarship.

Michael Kelly: Outstanding LeaderDevelopment Award 2013-2015.

Akash Kumar:Graduation with Hon-ors, California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer, Alhambra High School Counselors’Scholarship.

Dustin Langner: Graduation withHonors, Martinez Lioness Club Scholar-ship, AHS Basketball Scholarship.

Megan Lau:Graduation with Honors,California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer, Rotary Club of Martinez AcademicScholarship, Alhambra High School StaffScholarship, Martinez Arts AssociationScholarship, AHS Drama FoundationScholarship, Loyola Marymount Univer-sity Arrupe Scholarship.

Cory Lozow: AHS Basketball Schol-arship.

Hayden Manning: Mitchell HodgsonMemorial Leadership Scholarship, Leader-ship Outstanding Service Award 2013-2015.

Drake McCord: Graduation withHonors, Montana State University Fresh-man WUE Scholarship.

Cadence McCracken: Graduationwith Honors.

Olivia Mendoza: Clement Viano Me-morial Scholarship, Martinez Council ofPTAs Scholarship, Leadership OutstandingService Award 2011-2015.

Adam Millson:Graduation with Hon-ors, Seattle Pacific University ScholarAward.

D’Angelo Morales: Alhambra HighSchool Counselors’ Scholarship.

Melissa Motta: Graduation Honors.Joseph Mussano: Graduation with

Honors, John Phillip Sousa Award.

Courtney Nelson: McDonald FamilyScholarship, Martinez Women's ClubScholarship, Martinez Women of the MooseChapter 519 Scholarship, Purdue UniversityMerit Scholarship.

Sam Nishita: Valedictorian, Gradua-tion with Honors, California ScholarshipFederation Sealbearer, Estate of A. JosephTavan Scholarship, Martinez Sportsmen’sClub Scholarship, Martinez Lioness ClubScholarship.

Spencer Olson:Graduation with Hon-ors, Azevedo Family Athletic Scholarship,Martinez Council of PTAs Scholarship.

Kieran Parhar: Graduation with Hon-ors, Alhambra High School Athlete of theYear Scholarship, Antone Pellegrini Foot-ball Scholarship, Lawrence “Jo-V” MillerMemorial Scholarship, Kiwanis Club ofMartinez Kate Hopkins Memorial Scholar-ship.

Joe Peixoto:Luso-American FraternalFederation Scholarship.

Jack Peterson: Graduation with Hon-ors.

Mikayla Reichhold: Mitchell Hodg-son Memorial Leadership Scholarship,Leadership Outstanding Service Award2012-2015.

Brianna Rios: Graduation with Hon-ors, Martinez Council of PTAs Scholarship,PG&E Scholarship.

Gregory Rossi: Ofc. Thomas Taran-tino & Sgt. Paul Starzyk Memorial Schol-arship, Azevedo Family AthleticScholarship.

Tara Schueller: Graduation Honors.Andrew Silva: ROP Students of Ex-

cellence Award for Creative Writing.Elianna Spitzer: Graduation with

Honors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Martinez Lioness Club Scholar-ship, Lippow Development CompanyScholarship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, Brandeis University Alumniand Friends Scholarship.

Ariel Stelljes: Graduation with Hon-ors, California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer.

Mariah Strykers: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Martinez Women's Club Schol-arship, Leila Bray Memorial Scholarship,Martinez Lions Club Scholarship, PaulYriberri Memorial Scholarship, MartinezCouncil of PTAs Scholarship, GonzagaUniversity Presidential Dean Scholarship.

Connor Sullivan: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Estate of A. Joseph Tavan Schol-arship, McDonald Family Math & ScienceScholarship, Martinez Education Associa-tion Scholarship, Martinez Council of PTAsScholarship, Grad Night Scholarship.

Allie Timbrell: Graduation with Hon-ors, California Scholarship Federation Seal-

bearer, Alhambra High School Athlete ofthe Year Scholarship, Clement Viano Me-morial Scholarship, Officer Thomas A. Wa-gley Memorial Scholarship, AHS BoostersScholar Athlete, Scholarship, Tim BruderMemorial Track & Field/Cross CountryScholarship, Grad Night Scholarship, St.Mary’s College Academic Scholarship.

Zack Titlow: Imagine America Foun-dation Scholarship.

David Towers: Leader DevelopmentAward 2014-2015.

Elaina Trebino: Martinez Council ofPTAs Scholarship.

Ian Tuck:Nunes Family-Bulldog FireMemorial Scholarship, Jay Heeb KiwanisVocational Scholarship.

Madilynn Turner:Kate Hopkins Me-morial Cheer Scholarship.

Kathrina Vakili:Grad Night Scholar-ship.

Lucia Valentine: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer.

Carlos Vergara: Graduation withHonors, California Scholarship FederationSealbearer, Chase Family Trust Scholarship,Alhambra Class of 1975 Teacher Apprecia-tion Scholarship.

Michael Viano:Graduation with Hon-ors, Tim Bruder Memorial Track &Field/Cross Country Scholarship, ArthurMcHarry Vocational Scholarship, MartinezCouncil of PTAs Scholarship, FratellanzaClub Scholarship.

Jessica Viera-Ramirez: EducationalTalent Search Scholarship.

Thuong Lili Vo:Graduation with Hon-ors, Martinez Women's Club Scholarship,Martinez Health Auxiliary Scholarship,Firefighters Burn Foundation Scholarship,Alhambra Class of 1975 Teacher Apprecia-tion Scholarship.

Jamie Wanket: Fleming Family Waterpolo Scholarship, Martinez Education As-sociation Scholarship, Martinez Council ofPTAs Scholarship, Seattle University Aca-demic Scholarship.

Adora Wayne: Harambee Award &Scholarship.

Isabella Williams: Alhambra HighSchool Counselors’ Scholarship.

Samantha Williams: Soroptimist Inter-national of Martinez Violet RichardsonAward.

Mackenzie Wilson: Martinez Councilof PTAs Scholarship.

Harrison Wygal: Alhambra HighSchool Counselors’ Scholarship.

Lisa Yee: Graduation with Honors,California Scholarship Federation Seal-bearer, CSF Scholarship, University of Cal-ifornia Davis President’s CommunityService Award and Mentor Award, JulieBryant Memorial University of CaliforniaDavis Scholarship.

AWARDSContinued from Page 4

I wish you the best ofluck on the road ahead.

May good health andgood fortune follow youevery step of the way.

Mark RossMartinez City Councilman

Class of 1975

CongratulationsGraduates



By JOHN FULLER

To the class of 2015, on June 13you take the first step as graduates ofAlhambra High School. All this weekyou will hear words of wisdom and in-sight to what to expect as you beginyour next stage of life. From me I onlyhave a wish – wealth.

Wealth in most people mindsmeans money or a lot material accu-mulation. Though according to thedictionary.com wealth also means – anabundance or profusion of anything;plentiful amount. Hence, I wishwealth for the Class of 2015.

May you have a wealth of memo-ries. Make life an adventure, you onlyget one shot at it. Enjoy the moments

as they happen. Every so often take amoment to reflect on your experiencesand remember life is good.

May you have a wealth of educa-tion. Never stop learning. A bossonce told me you should try to learnsomething new everyday. The dayyou stop learning is the day you stopgrowing as a person. So whether it isin or outside the classroom strive tocontinually learn.

May you have a wealth of courage.It is courage that will enable you to getthe most out of your journey in life.There will be times of fear and uneasi-ness in your life. It will be how coura-geous you are during these times thatwill determine your success. Be like theIrish boxer in the ring and give it all

you have ‘til you have no more.May you have a wealth of values.

The Alhambra Way is the greatest giftAlhambra High could have given you.It is the starting point as you start tofigure out who you truly are. Defineyour own values and live by themdaily. Though your values maychange, stay strong to them as you for-tified them. Life is easier to live whenyou have a foundation of values to di-rect your path.

May you have a wealth of spiritu-ality. There is something bigger thanyou in life. You will need to figure outwhat it is. Take the time to explore theworld and challenge yourself. Neverstop looking at the big picture andwhere you fit into it. Trust me there is

a place for us all here in this world.May you have a wealth of love. Al-

ways realize there is someone that lovesyou. Family and friends are there foryou, just reach out and ask for helpwhen needed. You are graduating froma long line of Bulldogs that have sup-ported you directly or indirectly. Thistown cares for you. We wish you wellas you leave us. Remember "Once aBulldog, always a Bulldog".

To the Class of 2015, I wish youwealth today and everyday going for-ward.

John Fuller is the president of theMartinez Unified School DistrictBoard and a regular columnist for theMartinez News-Gazette.

A letter to the 2015 graduates

FootballGrant Hill-University of San DiegoKieran Parhar-UC DavisJosh Evans-University of LaVerneJames Gonsalves-DVCCIazonne Foster-DVC

BaseballZach Keever-UC Santa BarbaraGarrett Nichols-DVC

SoccerKaitlyn Emigh-Sonoma StateJessica Viera Ramirez-Marymount California UniversityMelissa Motta-Kansas Wesleyean University

SoftballCourtney Kelly-BYUShelby Clemons-Sonoma State

BasketballCory Lozow-DVC

Cross Country/TrackAllie Timbrell-St. Mary's CollegeMichael Viano-Fresno StateRaleigh Adams-Undecided

Alhambra athletesshift to college sports

Courtney Kelly (above) will be going to BYU in the fall, while Grant Hill (below)is headed off to USD.



By GERARDO RECINOS

The 2015 Les Schwab Male Athleteof the Year is Alhambra High School sen-ior Raleigh Adams.

Adams leaves Alhambra with his fu-ture destination still up in the air, but onething is for sure, he will continue to hur-dle wherever he ends up. Adams contin-ued his dominance of the Diablo FoothillAthletic League, and then did more ofthe same at the North Coast Section Meetof Champions.

For most of the season those whofollowed Adams’ progress through thewords of track and field writer Joel Tim-brell might have wondered how an ath-lete could continually set a new schoolrecord. Then they might have been evenmore surprised to know that Adams wasnot only setting new records seeminglyevery time out, but they were his ownrecords he was breaking.

As it stands Adams’ record time inthe 110-meter hurdles is almost half a

second better than any other Alhambrahurdler ever. His first place time at theMeet of Champions (14.66) is still .33seconds off his PR.

Adams has also excelled at the 300-meter hurdles (Adams holds the schoolrecord in the 300 meters as well, with atime of 37.99, almost two seconds fasterthan any time ever recorded at Alhambra)which he also swept at DFAL meet, andat the Meet of champions, both timeswhich qualified him for the CIF StateMeet in Fresno at Buchanan HighSchool.

As a two-time First Team All-DFALathlete, Adams and Dublin’s Mecca Mc-Glaston were the only DFAL athletes toplace among the top six finishers. Mc-Glaston took second in her 100-meterhurdle race in 13.18.

At the state meet Adams again brokeanother Alhambra record in the 300-meter hurdles, but his 110-meter per-formance was what earned him a statemedal, as he took sixth overall, despitenearly not making the finals.

Raleigh Adams: Male Athlete of the Year

By GERARDO RECINOS

The 2015 Les Schwab Female Ath-lete of the Year is Alhambra HighSchool sophomore Briana Perez.

Perez was the Diablo Foothill Ath-letic League’s Most Valuable Player,keeping up the tradition of peoplenamed Perez winning the award,(Perez’s older sister Kylee won theaward three times) and the sixth time ina row a Alhambra player has taken theaward.

Bri also follows her sister Kylee bywinning the Les Schwab Athlete of theYear award.

Perez lead the Bulldogs to theirsecond straight North Coast Section Di-vision II title, leading the team with 14home runs, 48 hits, 55 runs scored, a1.367 slugging percentage, and outra-geous .721 on-base percentage, and aOPS of 2.088. Perez also stole 26 baseson 27 attempts, and only struck out fourtimes all season.

Perez not only lead the softballteam to another championship, but waspart of the Bulldog team that brought

back playoff basketball to Alhambraafter a seven-year drought, and wasnamed as a second-team all-DFAL se-lection.

Her 9.8 points per page and 3.1 re-bounds per game were all respectablestats, but her defensive numbers aremost impressive. Perez typically hadthe task of guarding team’s best scorers.That makes her 4.4 steals per game thatmuch more impressive.

Perez scored in double digits in 12games this season, and her season-high25 points against Freedom was thehighest point total by a Lady Bulldogthis season.

Perez hit leadoff for Paul Buccel-lato this season, and still came secondon the team in RBIs.

“I’ve got one of the best home runhitters around,” said Buccellato. “I likeBri leading off. If you look at it she isstill leading in RBIs in NCS. Becausethe bottom of my lineup gets on base,she drives them in.”

Perez was named Athlete of theWeek three times this school year, oncein basketball, and twice in softball.

Bri Perez: Female Athlete of the Year



The Martinez Education Foundation (“MEF”) would like tothank the following businesses and individuals for their support in 2014 for MEF’s Busi-Kids program. Their generoussupport helped MEF provide grants in the amount of $132,702to teachers and classrooms throughout Martinez’s publicschools. With their help, we as a community are improvingour schools for current and future students!

Martinez Education Foundation urges the Martinez communityto patronize the above businesses and/or say a special thankyou to the individuals who take an active role in supportingour schools!

Wells FargoStephen Francis, DDSDr. Kent & Nancy HobertKatrinka & George MarchFrank & Joanne BillecciContra Costa Electric, Inc.Angelo CostanzaJim & Janet KennedyEileen & Pete RobertshawCheryl & Bob VereschaginBray & Bray, AttorneysLorraine BrayKiwanis Club of MartinezMartinez Auto BodyDannis, Woliver, Kelley

Attorneys at LawRGM and AssociatesConstruction Program &

Management ServicesKatie McLaughlin

David Filomeo - AHSAlumni

Melvin Wells, DDSJoe Lopez CPA - AHS

AlumniJoyce BoghosianNorm & Christy LundbergErin HallissyDelta Tech Service, Inc.Larry and Lila LippowMr. & Ms. FlemingHilson Family TrustBrian & Susan BrayLaura & Gary FebusSecuritas Security

Services, Inc.Cameron & Jane Baird

FoundationAmanda Backstrom DDS -

Artesa Dental

Pete ClausonSusan RandallMike & Diane BeckKathryn Bennett LoughranAlbert TurnbaughJack & Sharon FunkJames ClausonLaura Narron ZhangDr. Kent SackKaiser PermanenteDenalect AlarmShell Martinez RefineryLes Schwab Tire CenterCRI / CriterionCarlton & Erica Wong

ThompsonLeptien, Cronin, Cooper,

Morris & Poore, CivilEngineers & Surveying

Martinez Education Foundation

Thanks its Busi-Kids Supporters

© 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.

Alissa Gutierres925-201-64633237 Alhambra Suite [email protected] Insurance Agent #: 0I76449

1399

22Congratulations to the Class of 2015!Let Us Help You Build Your Future

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Congratulations, graduates!

-William JenningsBryan

Debbie McKillop, Martinez city council member & daughters

CCoonnggrraattuullaattiioonnss GGrraadduuaatteess!!

"All our dreams can cometrue...if we have the courageto pursue them."

–Walt Disney

Councilmember Lara DeLaney



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Michael Moore was thumbs-up at the celebration.

Joannie Suitoswas dressed forthe occasion.

Ian Tuck receives hisdiploma.Andrea Bennett yells to

family and friends aftergetting her diploma.

Luke Zaro celebratesthe evening.

Shelby Clemons uses a selfie-stick to capture the moment

Madelynn Alford, HayleyWard, Gabriel Perez andthe Alhambra High bandprovided music at theceremony

Kaitlin Doolittle (center)applauds a speaker.



Congratulations to the class of 2015,and to our daughter Sarah BethHatch. We wish you all luck in yourfuture endeavors and wherever lifetakes you. Always remember to giveback to Martinez.

Mayor Rob & Suzanne Schroder

Serving Martinez for 30 Years!

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Congratulations class of 2015.May your new journey be �lled with passion, excitement and adventure.

Anamarie Avila Farias, councilwoman/ AHS class of 1992



Vicente Martinez High, Briones Classof 2015 celebrates commencementBy RICK JONES Photography by ROBERT PERRY

Graduations are tradition-ally a celebration with afestive atmosphere, and

on Wednesday, June 10, 2015,the combined senior classes ofVicente Martinez High Schooland Briones High made certainto live up to that tradition.

The threat of rain forced thecommencent from the MartinezAmpitheater but didn’t dampenthe mood of the event.

In front of a proud, rollick-ing crowd 47 graduates from Vi-cente and Briones received theirdiploma at the Martinez JuniorHigh auditorium.

Vicente principal CarolAdams, who after eight years is

leaving Vicente High School,welcomed the gathered distin-guished guests and award pre-senters. Adams also introducedthe Vicente and Briones teachersand staff in attendance.

“Our teachers and supportstaff are an extraordinary groupof people who are talented, com-mitted, caring and nurturing in-dividuals who continually go theextra mile for their students,”Adams said. “Students, whenasked about what worked at ourschools, started with the staff’s

appreciation for them, and theircommitment to the students’success.”

Labeled as alternative andindependent schools, Adamspointed out the degrees the stu-

dents received were no different.“We know not all minds are

alike, and that is a good thing forsociety,” Adams said. “Ourschool celebrates the wonderfuldifference in how students aresmart, and provide an avenue forall students to learn and grow.”

Adams urged the students to

continue to look forward andtake advantage of opportunities.

“Please remember this grad-uation celebration as evidencethat you have the talent and thestrength and the stamina to ac-

complish your goals and every-thing you dream about for thefuture. You have earned this highschool diploma which was 13years in the making. I want youall to be very proud, this is yourtime to soar.”

Martinez Unified SchoolDistrict Superintendent Rami

Muth spoke of Adams, saying“Mrs. Adams, she is a leaderwho leads by example. Studentstold me that she holds you ac-countable yet established bound-aries that are firm and fair. andat the same time always showsthat she cares. that is truly a rarecombination. We will miss herguidance and her leadership.”

Also, David Eliaser, a long-time teacher at Vicente, “a tire-less advocate for your school.He will be greatly missed,” saidMuth.

“Each student chose to behere today and each made a con-scious decision to perseverewhen they could have given up,”Muth explained. “That choicealone speaks volumes about whoeach of you are as people, and

“Each student chose to be here today and each made aconscious decision to persevere when they could have

given up. That choice alone speaks volumes ... .”– Rami Muth, Martinez Unified School District Superintendent

See GRADS, Page 13

CLASSooff2015

On behalf of the Martinez UnifiedSchool District, Superintendent RamiMuth congratulates all the graduates

of the MUSD Class of 2015!

"Every great dream begins with adreamer. Always remember, you

have within you the strength, the pa-tience, and the passion to reach forthe stars to change the world."

–Harriet Tubman.



the wonderful opportunity that awaits you in the fu-ture.”

Mayor Rob Schroder spoke briefly and urged thegraduates to give back to the community and to thosewho have helped and made a difference in their lives.

The Saints Motorcycle Club, who traditionallymake a loud entrance, had their aubile prescencemuted but made a big impact at the ceremony.

The club made presentation of 19 scholarshipawards, totally $1,900. This was the 11th year theSaints have presented scholarships.

Other scholarships were presented by the KiwanisClub, the Zichichi Family, the Lioness, the Martinez Ed-ucation Association, the Rotary Club, Campos Family,Hobert Medical Pathways, and Creekside Church

Class Speaker Robert Tyler took the podium next.“I congratulate you, it has been a long hard fought

battle to get to where we are today,” Tyler began.“Some might say we have not taken a traditional pathto get here and this is true. Ours was an alternative,ours was a different path, ours was an unique path.And although our trip may have been a little bit dif-ferent, our path may have been more winding, the hillsclimbed a little bit steeper, the directions not quite asobvious, our destination is exactly the same and forthat our arrival may be a little bit sweeter.”

“Fellow graduates I am excited for each andeveryone of us. we are about to embark on the nextphase of our lives, may it be unuqe and successful asit’s always been. I am honored and proud to standamong you as the class of 2015.”

After the speakers, 2013 graduate Nick Napoli-tano led the graduates and crowd in a karaoke to thetune “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by SimpleMinds. The audiotorium stage soon transformed intoa dance club as graduates, teachers, and familiesjoined the celebration.

GRADSContinued from Page 12

Martinez Vicente and Briones students gatheron the stage as the ceremony begins.

At left: Vicente-Briones alumnusNick Nepolitanocomes in fromthe crowd singing“Don’t You (For-get About Me).”Below, CarolAdams and otherstaff joined onthe stage for ashort danceparty.

Anthony Hernandez accepts hisdiploma.

For the 11th year, the Saints Motorcycle Club,rasied money for scholarships. The club raised$19,000 for 2015 Vicente/Briones graduates.



Robert Tyler addresses hisfellow graduates.

Christian Waite acceptsa scholarship from theSaints Motorcycle Club.

Summer Wolfe acceptingan scholarship award.

Matthew LaFleurwalks on-stageas the graduatesgather.



Alhambra High SchoolMuhammad Salman AbdurrohmanRaquel Marie AcostaJasmyne Christine AdameRaleigh Carl AdamsJamie Lynn AgostinoBrooke Marie AguiarUlises AguilarNathaniel Jesse AlcalaAlana Anna AndersonWilliam Taylor AndersonEric Aquilizan AngelesParis Nicole ArdittiMark Russell AzevedoHenry BaileySavannah Rose BalestrieriAndrew BarrettKaleb Reid BatemanJohn Henry BehrJanean Noel BellAndrea Rose BennettTiera Naomi BeverlyKarlei Darlene BishopSamantha Jules BituenZackery Norman Alan BlanchetteJessica Marie BlumKayla Beane BondEmme Kalyn BradfordAaron Wesley BrinkmanHarrison Matthew BrownMadeline Mei BuckNicolas Walter BuitragoSarah Lindsay BullingtonKelly Ann BuonserioAvedis BuyukerIsabella CamposLauren Ashlee CarpoffNicholas Bailey CarreonFrancis Marc CarusoMatthew Alfonso CasaticoJulia Lynne CastroEdwin CerdaKevin Antoine ChouinardZachary Taylor ChristmanJulia Michelle ClackKelsey Elizabeth ClarkShelby Rae ClemonsRose Xiaobao Warner ClyneCasey Nicole CoffmanMaxwell Rodney CokerNicholas Melone CokerEstefania ColmenaresKylah Shae ColvinMaghan Saleen CombsJasmine Daisy CotaSarah Lynn Dahl MahyAlixandrya Louise DavisCheyenne Skyy DavisAngelina Marie Daza-SanchezRyan DeMelloHannah Irene DeWittNoelia Elizabeth DiazDakota Kenneth DillonMia Marie DiritoJack Greggory Dolin

Courtney Lynn DonahoeKaitlin Diane DoolittleMatthew Montgomery DragicevicRachel Renee Orion DuncanOscar DuranJose Armando ElizondoKaitlyn Stacey EmighMac Robert EspinosaJoshua Scott EvansCamille Nicole FalchettaMckenzie Faith FavorsRuth Alejandra FernandezChrisBaby Michaelear Ferrara Maria Anna FiliceJennifer Leslie FogelmanJasper Skye FontaineKamron Rosario FragosoSamuel Wylie FrancisJulia Raven FrankRichard V. FreezeKyle Christopher Yuki FrohlichAnthony Michael GainesBriley Noel GarciaJulissa Garcia MezaChristian Samuel GianniniJames Michael GonsalvesManuel Sparacino GonzalezRaquel Elizabeth GonzalezDallen Robert GrahamLaurel Rose GreenTheresa Noel GrubeFernando GutierrezAlexandra Ann HaisleyJack Robert HammondMallory Nichole HansenHannah Isabella HatchSarah Beth HatchTyler HealyGlenna Belle HerbertHailee Marie HerndonJoseph Loyd HigbyTyler Graham HigginsGrant Michael HillJohn Charles HiseHaley Larissa HolcombHelene Caroline HollidgeShelby Taylor HoltonShelbie Marie HosfordJonathon Floyd HuntemanMegan Cassandra HusterRebecca Anais JimenezBrandon Scott JohnsonSierra Maria Leone KaulKevin Allen Kearney Zachary James KeeverDiana Susan KellerCourtney Rose KellyMichael Anthony KellyJoshua Jordan KimuraKarlye Ryan KirkpatrickAkash B. KumarVineet KumarCourtney Taylor LaerzioGavin Michael LakemanDustin Lee Langner

Zachary Sebastian LanwayTanner Wayne LargentJordan N. LarsonJoseph Thomas LathamMegan Siu LauJean-Baptiste LehuardJustin Lawrence Villadolid LejanoKristy Salgado LejanoKobe Josh Bautista LiaoKaelin Jessica LimacherTyler Donn LiparyJordan MacKenzie LloydBrie Michelle LongewayKelsey Maye LoydCory Joseph LozowElizabeth MadierosMason Sidney MadsenHayden Patrick ManningBraelyn Renee MartiAntares Sebastian MartinezJesus Daniel MartinezAngelo Steven MartinoMichael Anthony MartyBenjamin Joseph MateraIvory Shalise MaxwellSarah Ashley McBrideCameron Drake McCordCadence Celeste McCrackenSydney Fortune McDonaldDominic Rosario McKennaOlivia Justicia MendozaCarlee Lauren MercureSabrina Marie MezaAaron Edward MillerAdam David Andrew MillsonMarissa Yvette MolinaValeria MolinaChandler Richard MooreMichael Herbert MooreD'Angelo Miguel MoralesSierra Alicia Morales-HallmarkMelissa Elizabeth MottaMadison Tamie MuraokaJoseph Louis MussanoCourtney Nicole NelsonGarrett Ronnie NicholsEd Mc Claire Manaois NicolasSam Morio NishitaJose Manuel OjedaDestiny Endrina OliverosSpencer William OlsonCortney Leeann OutmanKieran Charles ParharJordan B. PastorPaige Kristine PattersonDominic Anthony PaulazzoJoe Ilidio PeixotoRoxanne Elizabeth PereiraSummer Marie PereiraAlyssa Rae PerezGrace Lenore Perkins-BrownDeeDee Rose PerryShankari PersaudJack R. PetersonAdrianna Marie Pinon

Chase Michael PlummerGiulia PorcuRobert Scott PrestonKatharine Cheryl PruterZulema QuinteroVictoria Marie RamirezJustin Michael ReardonMikayla Paige ReichholdMadisyn Elizabeth ReynoldsErik S. RichardsJustin David RidoutMarquis Kevin RidoutBrianna Guadalupe RiosJedrik Gavin RodriguezBrennan Michael RosselliGregory Parks RossiBlanca Rosa RuanElizabeth Marie RussoDana SabariaBrianna Monserat SanchezSabrina McDowell SchaeferKayleigh J. SchmidTara Megan SchuellerKayla Jeannette SchwartzAli ShahabAustin Tyler ShippAlambar ShreeshAndrew Chance SilvaSavannah Theresa SimoniJulian SoriaCarly Rae SpencerElianna Rose SpitzerAriel Michelle StelljesKaitlyn Ann StilwellNicholas Girolamo StockdaleSara Paige StrunkMariah Helen StrykersJoannie Escobar SuitosConnor Bartholomew SullivanBailey Nicole SurgesTheresa Elizabeth TaylorJourdan Nicole ThompsonKillian Edward ThompsonAllie Joy TimbrellDavid Daniel TowersKatherine Christine TreadwellElaina Isabel TrebinoIan McRae TuckMadilynn Jennifer TurnerKathrina Nicki VakiliLucia Helena Needham ValentineElizabeth Arlene VallergaNicole Patricia VargasCarlos Mathew Eusebio VergaraJames Deepak VermaMichael Anthony VianoJessica Viera RamirezThuong VoSean Quinn WalkerAbigail Ginesi WalshJamie Marie WanketAdora Gean WayneLindsey Lee WellsTheodore Chandler WellsIsabella Rae Williams

Samantha Marie WilliamsMackenzie Rae WilsonZachary Michael WooldridgeWilliam Harrison WygalLisa Toshie YeeDale Wayne YoungLuke Paul ZaroAngelina Matildé ZunigaGabriella Eustacia Zuniga

Vicente Martinez High School and Briones SchoolAvalos, DanielaBedessie, Phillip BrandonBennett, Kaylen RoseBlackbum, Sarah Lindsey ReneeBonner, Darren RichardBorden, Victoria LeighBrown, Hailey NoelCano, Sean DanielCasares, Eric OlivaEdd, Tyler JeremyEspinoza, EdgarEvans, Micheala NicoleGastello, Angelo JonathanGirard, Alexandria KailynGray, Alexandra SusannHarding, KimberlyHernandez, Anthony KeeganHerndon, Danielle EliseHerr, Liberty TaylorJohnson, DayNiria LatorrJohnson, Thurston CharlesJohnson, Tony AndreKadlec, Brianna ReneeLaFleur, Matthew JustinLawson, Briar WoodrowLenihan, Kyle JamesLira, LeticiaLopez, Irene DalilahMcBride, Madison TaylorMcEvoy, Chase WilliamMiller, Gregory TaylorMitchell, Carter AlexanderNunez, CarlosRatto-Foster, Ciazonne OlajuwonSharkey, Christian MichaelThomson, Daniel RichardTimmLibron, Cheyanne ChantelTitlow, Zachary RTrujillo, AngeloTyler, Robert JamesVictoria, Jamal RasheedVillalobos, Rafael MauricioWaite, Christian JonathanWildberry, Aurora CassiopiaWolf, Autumn BreannWolf, Summer ChristineWright, Tanya Lilianna Vieira

Publication of a student’s name isnot verification of official gradua-tion.

Congratulations Class of 2015



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