Sky’s the Limit: Grossmont’s 90th Commencement Salutes Graduates

“Wasn’t it great to be young and a Foothiller?” 

So said Celeste Jacobson-Ingram* as Grossmont High School valedictorian at the school’s 90th commencement Thursday morning at the football stadium.

The answer? Unanimous cheers.

It took 32 minutes, 40 seconds to hand out diplomas to the Class of 2011, which numbered 514—second-highest in the Grossmont Union High School District this year after Granite Hill’s 615.

Principal Theresa Kemper said: “You are the finest ambassadors of Grossmont.”

And she honored the best of them, including Darion Johnston as the Norman Freeman Award winner.

Kemper said the school’s highest award—first given in 1953 and named for a popular student-athlete killed in war—went to Johnston for being  “an integral part in making 2011 a magical [year for] Grossmont.  Her contributions at Grossmont High School have been endless. Darion is the ASB president and epitomizes school spirit and leadership. She leads by example and with a positive attitude. This senior truly embodies the spirit of this award.”

Jacobson-Ingram, with a grade-point average of 4.732 and headed for UC Berkeley, said: “For every opportunity we take to improve the world, we should take an opportunity to improve ourselves.  Because let’s face it. We’re the class of 2011.  We’re spirited, friendly, intelligent, and pretty darn good-looking.  We deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while. … If you don’t chill out, you’re going to burn out.”

Lindsay Russo was name Young Woman of the Year, and Colton Alexio was announced at Young Man of the Year.

“Lindsay is a well balanced individual who excels across the spectrum of high school achievement,” counselor Lori Dietrich told a packed stadium. “She is an accomplished award winning flutist in the GHS Symphonic Band and Jazz Band as well as a starting athlete on the varsity soccer team.”

Of Alexio, Dietrich said that his  “self-motivation encourages others. He has worked very hard in school to achieve his academic standing. Additionally he put the same effort into both football and lacrosse. He has also spent a great deal
of time this year organizing events for ASB.”

Six students won Circle G Awards—a pin and commendation given to a limited number of students who have “achieved all-around excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, citzenship  and service.”

Staff nominations and departmental vote led to the selection of Circle G winners Carley Applegate, Zuzanna Blaz, Carolina Diaz, Katie Foggiano, Jacobson-Ingram and Brandon Vitton.

Fifteen students won the Principal’s Letter of Commendation.  

“Over the past four years,” Kemper said under sunny skies, “these students have demonstrated leadership in many areas. They have been highly successful with their academic studies, have represented Grossmont throughout our region and
beyond, and some have demonstrated outstanding talent with their individual and group performances.”

Letter winners were Sharyce Bailey, Michelle Montrose, Jessica Dinsdale, Jordan Moore, Claudia Ethridge, Matt Negri, Martha Fahim,  Jesus Orozco, Nicole Fink,  MaryTina Patsiouras, Suzanne Jarmusch, Evan Selander, Cassandra Kunze, David Taylor and Jamie Marcus.

*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the quotation to Carolina Diaz, the salutatorian.