June 10, 2005 - With confidence to move on in life, fifty Deaf and Hard of Hearing students will graduate in the California School for the Deaf's 133rd commencement ceremony. The program will be held in the school gymnasium at 3:00 PM on June 10, 2005. The school is located at 39350 Gallaudet Drive in Fremont.
Seventy-five percent of the graduates are going to further their education by attending community colleges and/or four-year universities.
Ten graduates plan to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, the only liberal arts university in the world solely dedicated to educating Deaf students. Three graduates plan to attend the California State University - Northridge while one will attend Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. The majority of the other students will attend community colleges; including the Ohlone College, American River College and others. Ten students who plan to go directly into the workforce.
"I started in the infant program and received the education I need to succeed as a Deaf person. I know no better place than the California School for the Deaf," remarked Valedictorian Justin Jackerson, who will be graduating this year with honors. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook, chairman of the prom, and president of the senior class. He plans to attend Gallaudet University.
Salutatorian Laura Waterhouse excels in academics and is also an accomplished athlete. Besides playing on the basketball and volleyball teams, she served on the academic bowl team. Her attendance at Gallaudet University will allow her to continue her education and participate in competitive sports. To read more about the two students, you may follow the link below to go directly to the May 20, California News article: www.csdf.k12.ca.us/outreach/calnews/california news.htm
Members of the Class of 2005, who are from all over Northern California
include:
Melissa Brandon and Isaac West of Newark; Angela Cassinelli, Monica Foletta, Mark Grossinger, Leala Holcomb, Christopher Ivory, Justin Jackerson, Phillip Rhodes Gay, Ann Jeanette McEwan, and Laura Waterhouse of Fremont; Nicholas Comegna of Pleasanton; Cindy Aguirre of Livermore; Avigai Cruz of Lindsay; Kaylie Fonseca of Foster City; Carlese Gainey of San Pablo; Amandeep Girn of Yuba City; Valentin Alvarado of Watsonville; Julio Amador of San Rafael; Salvatore Guido, Shellye Ferguson and Quiara Alexander of Vallejo; Jessica Hardin of Clovis; Paige Holderman, Martin Huerta, Antonio Lobato, Danielle Mercadal, Chase Whitten, Isaiah Randle of Sacramento; William Jones of Marysville; Laura Lopez, Rochelle Greenwell, and Orlando Camacho of Salinas; Kevin Marshall of Capitola; Elizabeth Meza Tinoco of Greenfield; Sean Norris of Esparto; Maribel Padilla and Oscar Padilla of Redwood City; Sheila Quigley of Milpitas Hector Rangel, Charles Ferguson, and Shawn Smith of Oakland; Jorge Anaya Jr and Janette Navarro of Hayward; Ricardo Rocha of Citrus Heights; Sean Ryan of Alameda; Amanda Sortwell of Mariposa; Jeffrey Sowders of Morro Bay; Vita Vongsikeo of Carmichael; and Oscar Zapata of Fresno.
The California School for the Deaf has an international reputation for its high quality educational program and for enhancing the esteem of children who are deaf. CSD is a fully accredited, state-funded school for students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing living in Northern California. It provides an educational program that is specifically designed for visual learners. American Sign Language is the language of instruction. The school also provides services to the families with deaf children. Please contact the school at (510) 794-3707 for further information or visit the student-produced website: www.csdf.k12.ca.us
