Newbury Park High School celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2010 on Friday evening with 571 seniors receiving their diplomas.

“I’m feeling a little bit tired, a little bit nervous, but we’re ready for graduation,” said Christopher Fox, 18, as he gathered with his fellow graduates in the school gymnasium before proceeding out onto the football field for the ceremony.

“It’s crazy how fast it came, but it’s really exciting at the same time,” said 17-year-old Domonique Cruz, who plans to study nursing at Utah Valley University.

The ceremony began with the Panther Pipers playing “Scotland the Brave,” and the national anthem sung by the senior members of the concert choir.

Graduating senior Garima Narang welcomed everyone to the ceremony.

“This is the beginning of a new journey we can now embark upon with confidence and pride,” she said. “Let us approach our future with the courage given us by the panther family.”

Barbara Milman said it was amazing to see her eldest son Joseph Milman, 17, graduate from high school. “As a parent you can’t believe it happens so fast,” she said.

“I’m very excited,” said Martha Berumen, who came to see her youngest daughter, also named Martha, graduate.

“She liked everything about this school. She liked the teachers and she liked her classmates. This is a great school,” said Berumen, adding that her daughter plans to continue her studies at Moorpark College.

The graduation was deja vu for Phil Marinelli, father of 17-year-old senior Will Marinelli.

“He’s my second son that’s graduating here in two years,” Marinelli said.
Newbury Park High School graduation
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* Graduate Natalie Taylor of Newbury Park High School waves at the crowd after getting her diploma during the school’s commencement on Friday.
* Hannah Newmark of Newbury Park High School waves to the crowd before the start of the ceremony on Friday.
* Clifton Porter of Newbury Park High School smiles at the crowd after getting his diploma at the ceremony on Friday.
* Brittany Smith of Newbury Park High School talks to Cindy Wade, history teacher, before the ceremony on Friday.
* Carlos Lucha of Newbury Park High School smiles at his classmates after getting a diploma at his graduation on Friday.
* See this entire gallery at full size

Marinelli praised Newbury Park High School for its “warm and supportive environment and variety of challenges and opportunities.”

“Every student can find themselves and find their voice,” he said.

The Class of 2010 produced 14 valedictorians, seniors who had achieved a 4.65 grade point average or better throughout their high school careers.

Valedictorian and Student Body President Danna Seligman gave the valedictory address, in which she looked forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Class of 2010.

“We leave equipped with the resources we need to succeed,” she told her peers. “We must have faith in our abilities and believe in our strengths. We must leap without inhibition into what is our future.

“The only wisdom we gain in life is from experiencing it,” Seligman said. “It’s our time to lead the lives we have dreamed of living.”