Ramona Bids Farewell to Bulldog Class With Pride: ‘2012 Until I Die’

Ramona High School’s latest graduating class will not be remembered for modesty.  “We really thought we owned the world—and we were 12,” one speaker said, recalling classmates in middle school. “We’re kind of the most spirited senior class at Ramona,” she said Thursday night at a sunset ceremony. “And by ‘kind of’ I mean absolutely. … So that’s [why] we say: ‘2012 until I die.’”

Other students sang praises of the community as well as the school: “We sit together as a town and as a family,” one said at a 70-minute commencement that ended with a short fireworks display.

Student body President Kia Turner welcomed the graduates and the more than 4,000 family and friends packing the stands, and gave a valedictory address as well. Laura Calcara was salutatorian, and a second valedictorian was Katherine Cobian. Class of 2012 President Kaila Michitsch led the tassel-turning.

Principal Tony Newman recited accomplishments of the school year and listed dozens of major universities—including Harvard, Notre Dame and the military service academies—where many of the 416 graduates were headed.  

“Ramona High School takes a back seat to no one,” he said. “You will be missed. My hope for you … is you will look back on your years and the relationships and friends you built with each other.

“It’s always a great day to be a Bulldog.”