585 Grads Hailed at Grossmont High, Including Top Award Winners

Story by Ken Stone and photos by Chris Stone

Grossmont High School sent 585 graduates into the world Wednesday morning at a sun-baked commencement that featured speeches by two UCSD-bound seniors.

Valedictorian Stephan Sena, whose GPA was 4.829 thanks to added value from Advanced Placement classes, will major in bioengineering at the La Jolla campus. 

Salutatorian Sandra Bretton, whose GPA was 4.756, plans to study human biology at the same school. 

After the Pomp and Circumstances processional performed by the Grossmont Wind Symphony under the direction of James Llamas, presentation of colors by the Navy Junior ROTC and national anthem by members of the advanced ensemble led by Ed Basilio, senior class president Sarah Sprague gave a greeting.

At ceremonies led by Principal Dan Barnes, many honors were announced. The most prestigious—the Norman Freeman Award—went to Jaidin Nicole Holder.

Named for a Class of 1947 honor graduate who died in the Korean War, the Freeman Award goes to an all-around leader. The inscription on the trophy reads: “For the Grossmont student who has most strengthened democracy through participation and leadership.”

Rotary Club’s Young Man of the Year award went to Paul Hazlebeck and Young Woman of the Year to Sprague.

The ceremony lasted a little over an hour on the football field with bleachers packed and standing room observers in the overflow.