Oh the Places You'll Go: 670 seniors graduate at Samohi

With shouts of "19" echoing across the stage, the santa monica high school Class of 2019 flipped their tassels from right to left and exuberantly took their final steps as high school students.

This was the 165th graduation ceremony at Samohi, and 670 seniors took part in this time-honored tradition. As the students strode into the Memorial Greek Theatre the crowd of over 3500 parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and friends clapped, cheered and waved signs as the seniors, resplendent in their bright blue cap & gowns entered the fabled amphitheater.

The backdrop of the Greek Theatre draped in new Samohi Blue and Gold decor was stunning. Agapanthus, ablue flower that annually decorates the extended stage was in abundance. The acclaimed Samohi orchestra, choir, and exceptional student soloists added to the celebration. The graduation took all of two hours to honor our students, retiring faculty (Dean Catherine Baxter deserves special recognition) and have the required student and dignitary speeches. Principal Antonio Shelton's recital of the Dr. Seuss poem, "Oh, The Places You'll Go," stood out as the rhymes made clear that each of them could steer in any direction they choose and that they would each decide where they would go in life.

Samohi has a 128-year tradition of preparing our community's finest young men and women for great lives. Indeed, astronauts, Nobel prize winners, great actors, authors, engineers, and politicians have walked the hallowed halls of our city's high school. Add to that list, your local electrician, plumber, council member, pharmacist, attorney, and the impact our graduates have had on our city, state, country, and the world is immense. Over 50,000 Samohi Viking graduates are still alive and contributing to our world today. We can all welcome the contributions these new graduates will make to our society and envy the experiences they will have.

Traditionally, all ceremonies at santa monica high school end with the great Hymn Of Praise penned by a graduate of the class of 1928, Kenneth Darby. Godspeed and Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

Oh Samohi, dear old Samohi,

Queen of the setting sun,

For you we toil,

For you our banners fly,

We win for you when victory's won

All hail to thee, Mighty Samohi,

Our Faith in the ne'er will fail,

For the love that we give

is they po'er to live,

To thee, All Hail!