ARCHIVES

ARCHIVES

Refugio High School class of 2009 distinguished by community service

By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer/rcanelon@syvnews.com

Buy this photo now
The Refugio High School graduating class of 2009 poses with Principal Lori Tullis center, teachers Dave Kuehn, bottom, and Amie Macbeth, right, before the commencement ceremony. / Raiza Canelon/Staff

Andy Olvera said he was excited about starting the next chapter of his life, focusing on his dream of becoming a firefighter, as he and 18 other students graduated Friday morning from Refugio High School.

More than 100 family, friends, teachers and staff members packed the Little Theater at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School for the commencement ceremony.

The continuation high school’s principal, Dr. Lori Tullis, reflected on her students’ accomplishments throughout the year, as they improved not only their own lives but the community as well.

“I want to congratulate the graduates for their increased amount of service, and I was proud to lead them in the right direction,” Tullis said.

Tullis said the students started right away last September by participating in the Stuart C. Gildred YMCA’s “Sock Walk,” as students collected donations of socks for homeless people.

In October, she noted, the students collaborated with People Helping People and the Santa Barbara County Food Bank in “Empty Bowls,” when the students prepared soups with the Regional Occupational Program class to raise more than $1,000.

They also helped in November to prepare Iraq Packs, sending Bibles, food, hygiene supplies and hand-written notes to American service men and women in Iraq.

“We were honored to have you at our school and in our lives,” Tullis told the Refugio class of 2009.

“We hope you soar with the eagles, kids,” she said.

Student speakers Megan Hewitt and Jarod Tabor said they were both proud to have graduated from Refugio and because of Tullis and the teachers at the school, their paths in life were changed.

“I am attending Santa Barbara City College next semester, and without the help from Refugio I wouldn’t have gotten a scholarship. I was never made to feel like I was less than anyone else,” Tabor said.

Hewitt, president of both the student body and the senior class, thanked Tullis and her teachers for helping her through a difficult part in her life.

“As a new student this year, I had struggling grades. I found out this year my teachers really cared about me as a person, not just a student. I wish all the graduates good luck,” Hewitt said.

Tabor noted that the graduates succeeded together because of their differences.

“I want to thank my mom and the teachers for making my future possible. It’s been a good trip,” he said.

English teacher Amie Macbeth gave out certificates to scholarship winners and said a few words before the presentation.

“I am happy to see these kind and good people leaving my class. Teaching you is more than a job for me, it’s an important part of my life. I would do this career for free, and I hope you all find something that you love,” Macbeth said.

Scholarship recipients include Hewitt, for the Lillian Pellerin Foundation Scholarship; Tabor, the Santa Bar-bara Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Goleta Rotary Club Opportunity Scholarship; Olvera, the Don and Suzi Oaks Scholarship; Marisol Tapia, the Rotary Club of Buellton Vocational Education Scholarship; and Briana Walters, the George and Karen Johnson Scholarship.