MONTEBELLO – The Montebello Unified School District’s Vail High School presented 93 diplomas Wednesday during its 2012 graduation ceremony.

Principal Suzette Montano announced that Vail actually had 111 students meet graduation requirements, but that 18 students opted to return to their former high schools for graduation ceremonies, instead of Vail’s, the MUSD continuation school. The 111 graduates match last year’s record for graduates at Vail.

Montano also noted that Vail has a 95 percent attendance rate.

Students Sumari Almaguer, Pedro Baires and Tiffany Obeso delivered emotional speeches that drew cheers from an enthusiastic audience. A student choral music group, featuring two graduating seniors, performed two songs.

Catherine J.K. Sandoval, a California Public Utilities Commissioner and associate professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, delivered an inspiring keynote address. A product of the MUSD who graduated from Schurr High School, Sandoval went on to attend Yale University, earn a master’s degree from Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and a juris doctorate from Stanford.

Retiring Vail teachers Jasmine Kazarian and Bill Slevecove were recognized for their many years of dedication and service to the school.

As tradition, Associated Student Body President Josue Lopez led the graduating class through the traditional turning of the tassel from the right side to the left side of the cap to signify their transition from graduation candidates to graduates.

“Graduation week is one of our favorite weeks of each school year,” MUSD Superintendent Robert “Bo” Henke said. “Seeing our seniors graduate ready for college, career and life is the defining moment for each of us in the Montebello Unified School District.”

The District’s Bell Gardens, Montebello and Schurr high schools are holding their graduation ceremonies tonight at their schools.

Montebello Unified School District is a dynamic learning institution employing top-quality educators. It is the combined work of many that allows the District to continue educating more than 30,000 students every year using the 40 Developmental Assets at all of our school sites. It is through everyone’s efforts – students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators – that we are achieving the District’s number one goal of raising student achievement.