The Antioch High School class of 2021 celebrates their graduation while remaining socially distanced in Eels Stadium, Friday night. Photos by Jesus Cano.

Valedictorian is just 13-year-old 

By Jesus Cano

Principal Louie Rocha called the class of 2021 a special group of people.

Principal Louie Rocha has gone through 21 graduation commencements but, says that the Antioch High School class of 2021 stand out as a special group due to all they had to go through because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was impressed that they placed the welfare of their loved ones before their own self-interest. School closure resulted in missed school activities and milestone events,” Rocha said. “I am so very proud of the class of 2021 throughout their high school years,” he continued. “I have been impressed how they come together to support one another during some challenging times.”

Ceremonies for the final of six high school graduations for the Antioch Unified School District, this week, were held in the school’s Eells Stadium.

13-year-old Ella Nguyen could be the youngest valedictorian in Antioch High School history.

13-year-old Ella Nguyen was this year’s valedictorian, perhaps the youngest in Antioch High School history. She congratulated her classmates as they went through 12 years to earn their diplomas and battled through the COVID-19 pandemic. (See related article)

“But after 15 months of being shut in confined isolation. It is especially important to recognize that we as a class of 2021 are more than this academic achievement,” Ella said. “But I know for a fact that from joy to misery, passion to empathy, spring to summer to fall to winter, through the year in solitude. It was your final year of high school, you’ve made it.”

Senior ASB president Arianna Grady’s opening speech emphasized with her classmates about being people of color and not letting negative stereotypes deter them from the success that they could have. Grady did so by introducing a quote Malcom X said during an interview.

ASB President Arianna Grady addresses her peers for a final time during Antioch’s commencement ceremony Friday night.

“Malcolm’s quote made me think of how we have allowed people to construct our mindsets, the way we are perceived, perceive others and how we respond to others’ beliefs,” Grady said. “To that I say refuse. Refuse to allow yourself to be manipulated. Refuse to conform based on others’ beliefs. Refuse to be anything but unapologetically you. Question everything you read. Find your truth, with a school that has 85% racial and ethnic minorities.”

Antioch also honored fallen classmate Andrew Gonzalez, who passed away during his sophomore year of high school in a car accident on James Donlon Blvd.

400 students graduated this year from Antioch High School, according to Rocha.

The Deer Valley High School Class of 2021 graduated in the school’s stadium Friday morning, June 18, 2021. Photos by Jesus Cano

Spent their senior year “All Alone Together”

Senior Class President Sienna Nepacena speaks to her classmates.

By Jesus Cano

Deer Valley High teachers Allison Adkins and Maria McClain both got to work closely with the class of 2021 through their senior year. They both agreed that this year’s graduating class has one thing in common – grit and determination.

They both even think Deer Valley’s yearbook theme – All Alone Together – is a great theme for this school year.

“Many of them rose to the challenge,” Adkins said. “I think it teaches them down the line, that they’re way more flexible and capable of moving.”

“I think because they are a generation of social media, the technological aspect of distance learning, they are still connected because they connect so often with their phone and with Instagram and all of those other things.” McClain said.

Valedictorian Dennis Gavrilenko addresses his fellow graduates.

In spite of scheduling the graduation ceremony in the school’s stadium Friday morning, it was still warm in the sun for the graduates in their caps and gowns.

Antioch Unified School District board president Ellie Householder said the class of 2021 are more technologically ready for anything that comes their way post-graduation, and emphasized in her speech to the graduates that she validates for all the hard work they put in during this virtual year.

But the school’s class of 2021 did get a sense of normalcy, valedictorian Dennis Gavrilenko highlighted in his speech, like him and his volleyball teammates winning the 2021 BVAL boys’ volleyball title. He reminds his class all they learned at Deer Valley.

Even with a rough start, Gavrilenko was proud of the way the class broke through barriers.

Principal Olubukola Oyebade congratulates the graduating seniors.

“I would have never thought that during our junior year, we would have to adjust to distance learning inside our entire senior year, apart from each other. While we were resilient. We were strong, and in the face of all that adversity, we succeeded.” he said.

He also added that as the class of 2021 grows, they are in control of their future.

“As we transition from poverty to our adult lives, I urge you all to never lose your curiosity and fascination in our world,” Gavrilenko said. “We are the ones who must seize the future that we envision for ourselves. It’s up to us to lead others, and to make the world a better place, and I am certain that we will succeed.”

See video of ceremony, later on YouTube. Please check back later for the link.

The Dozier-Libbey Class of 2021 listens to their classmates speak during graduation ceremonies in the Deer Valley High stadium Thursday night, June 17, 2021. Photos by Jesus Cano.

“they’ll carry on and do great things with their leadership” – Former principal Scott Bergerhouse

Valedictorian Sidrah Rabiah Shah speaks to her classmates.

By Jesus Cano

Dozier-Libbey Medical High School valedictorian Sidrah Rabiah Shah reminded her class of 2021 how much they went through over their four years as high school students. (See ceremony video)

“Our class is different. We will forever be etched in the history books, who have been able to graduate without ever stepping foot on campus (during their senior year).” Shah said. “We are the class that barged into the quad to protest a shooting that killed 17 in Parkland. We are the class that stuck together and helped one another through a deadly pandemic.”

Ceremonies for this year’s graduating class of the certified pathway academy, estimated to be between 150-160 students, was held in the Deer Valley High School stadium. Unlike the rest of the district’s high schools, Dozier-Libbey specifically focuses on health and science.

Salutatorian Adanna Chimara shares about her and her fellow graduates’ high school experience.

During salutatorian Adanna Chimara’s speech, she recounted her first thought of Dozier-Libbey, which consisted of a rigorous amount of schoolwork, but said at the end of the day it allowed herself and her peers to be more prepared for the real world.

“Today, a combination that has allowed us to grow and learn more about ourselves,” she said. “And so, because of our time here, we’re there to take on any challenges or longer stuff that might come in our way.”

Former Dozier-Libbey principal Scott Bergerhouse was in attendance as a representative from the Antioch Unified School District – where he serves as director of student support services. He said being at the graduation was an honor, especially since he got to work first-hand with these students.

Former principal Scott Bergerhouse speaks to the graduating seniors.

“I remember when they were little freshmen and sophomore students working so hard. It’s so nice to see their success tonight,” Bergerhouse said. “Dozier-Libbey truly prepares them for not just the academic world but their whole life. And some of the challenges that they face in today’s world, they’ll carry on and do great things with their leadership, so I am very proud of them.”

The graduation was originally slated for 7 p.m. but was postponed until 8 p.m. due to this week’s heatwave. Spectators and students were provided with iced cold water as they entered the stadium. All five of the school board members and Superintendent Stephanie Anello attended the ceremony.

Bidwell High graduated 106 seniors Wednesday night, June 16, the largest graduating class in school history. Photos by Jesus Cano

By Jesus Cano

Graduate Xotchil Ramirez thanks Bidwell’s teachers and staff for helping the class of 2021 graduate.

One of first-year principal Raj Naicker’s goals was to get more students to graduate from Antioch’s Bidwell High School, especially since many students entered the school with low credits at the alternative high school. (See ceremony video)

Naicker and his administration were able to reach that goal, as Bidwell High had its largest graduating class in school history with 106 students receiving their diplomas as part of the class of 2021, during ceremonies, Wednesday night, June 16 at the Deer Valley High School stadium

Naicker admits his goal came with a little bit of assistance as he said the Antioch Unified School District lowered the amount of credits to graduate this year from 220 to 130. He credits his administration staff with being much more interactive with the students and motivating them to graduate.

“I entered this school with a very open heart, with a very open mind,” Naicker said. “And my goal was to make sure to provide them opportunities to take classes in multiple ways, so that they could end those credits and graduate on time.”

Among the 108 students that graduated, Xotchil Ramirez and Angelique Romero were chosen to speak. Both of them touched on coming into Bidwell in a credit deficit but were able to preserve through Bidwell.

“I was told I could graduate if I went to Bidwell and I was excited to see what I could truly accomplish,” Ramirez said in her speech. “I was able to develop such amazing relationships with my fellow classmates and teachers as they helped me and all of us to where we are today.”

Antioch School Board Vice President Dr. Clyde Lewis speaks to Bidwell’s graduating class.

Bidwell was truly a very welcoming place where students can get a warm feeling of accomplishment, and the confidence that drives them forward,” Romero said in her speech. “I got help every step of the way, and never once felt alone.”

Antioch Unified School District trustee Dr. Clyde Lewis spoke at the graduation ceremony and recounted his days of growing up in East Oakland – an area that has a similar demographic to the students at Bidwell.

“Once we have success. It’s easy to build. It’s not easy, but it’s possible to build on that success,” Lewis said. “So, it’s important that we sort of really highlight that these kids are graduating, and then we push them and provide them opportunities.”

In architecture and design

The City of Antioch is inviting young adults ages 18-24 to learn while you EARN this summer.

Join BUILD ANTIOCH, summer jobs program. BUILD ANTIOCH is a paid internship and unique, fun immersion in the world of architecture and design. Attend the program virtually for 15 hours a week for six weeks starting July 19 – August 27 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

2021 Summer Program Eligibility

• Resident of Antioch
• Ages 18-24 at the start of the program
• Able to commit to working 15 hours a week

The Internship Experience

• Learn how to sketch, model, build and more!
• Design process and presentations
• Collaborate with peers
• Meet with mentors, architects, and engineers
• Learn how to create designs to meet real-world challenges

Design your own FUTURE!

The application will remain open until Monday, June 28 at 4:00 PM. For more information, please click on the link below:

Build Antioch – City of Antioch, California (antiochca.gov)

Ella Nguyen. Photo courtesy of Antioch High School

By Luke Johnson & Jesus Cano

While many kids her age are excited about watching PG13 movies without their parents for the first time, Ella Nguyen is focused on graduating high school at the top of her class.

At just 13 years old, Ella is this year’s valedictorian at Antioch High School with a 4.43 GPA.

Principal Louie Rocha said he believes Ella is the youngest valedictorian in the school’s history, confirming that she is the youngest graduate during his time at the school. Rocha graduated from Antioch High in 1979 and has been an administrator on campus for over 20 years.

“Being at the top of my class was something that had never really crossed my mind,” Ella said. “I’m thankful to have gotten to where I am, but it’s more of a bonus than anything. It’s simply a part of my journey as a high schooler.”

Ella first skipped kindergarten, then third grade. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had an IQ of 147.

Ella’s parents and Mission Elementary administrators approached Rocha with the idea of Ella bypassing middle school and entering high school at nine years old.

He had concerns at first and immediately thought of worst-case scenarios.

“I asked her, ‘Are you willing to take the risk of being around older kids?’” he said.

Rocha was worried that Ella could possibly be on the receiving end of collateral damage from a scuffle in a hallway. She was around 4-foot-8 and 70 pounds at the time. He also wondered how the school would accommodate Ella in P.E. — who might risk injury by competing with bigger kids — and in health class — which covers sex education.

With Ella’s parents and Mission Elementary administrators insisting that she’s a genius and ready for a higher-level education, Rocha said he turned to Ella and asked why she wanted to attend Antioch High so badly.

“She looked me in the eye and said, ‘Mr. Rocha, I have never been challenged in school before. I hope by coming to high school that it will push and challenge me to be successful,’” Rocha said.

After enrolling at Antioch High, administration ultimately waived Ella’s health and P.E. classes. It was also agreed that then-Vice Principal Michael Flosi would walk her to class everyday.

However, by the third day of freshman year, Ella told Flosi that she was embarrassed of being escorted to class and she needed to find her own way.

Some classmates were “freaking out” when they initially discovered that a nine year old was a student on campus. However, Rocha said that quickly changed as several students wanted to befriend Ella, because they were inspired by her profound academic skills and wanted to learn from her.

Jason Ebner, a teacher at Antioch High, worked closely with Ella. Over the years, he’s seen her grow firsthand.

“The young lady speaks with such confidence and grace, Ebner said. “It’s scary to understand in four years to hear the level she was to the level where she is now — the conversations that we have had about what she thinks about education, where she thinks her life is going to go.”

Now Ella and her family are getting ready to move to Stockton while Ella gears up for college at the University of Pacific. She was accepted into the pre-dentistry program and — with some of her undergrad classes out the way from attending Los Medanos College — she could possibly become a licensed dentist at 18 years old.

Ebner and Rocha both compared Ella to Najee Harris — who graduated from Antioch High in 2017 and was recently drafted first round in the NFL — because their academic and athletic talents are in the “top one percent” of the world.

“As we honor Najee for putting Antioch on the map, we should do the same for Ella,” Rocha said.

Antioch High’s commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021 will take place Friday 8 p.m. at Eells Stadium with limited capacity. Ella will be one of the speakers.

Graduating senior Alexis Powell addresses her classmates during the Prospects High graduation, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photos: Jesus Cano

“Surround yourself with positive people.” – Alexis Powell’s advice to her classmates.

By Jesus Cano

Prospects High School principal Carol Lowart reminded the graduating class of 2021 about the obstacles they faced during the last year of their academic career. (See video of ceremony)

From getting sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020 and beginning virtual learning in September of 2020.

Graduate Joe Olivas performs for his classmates. Olivas had previously provided musical entertainment during most of Prospects’ virtual events.

But then, on June 15, 2021 – the same day California’s economy reopened – the Prospects class of 2021 were able to celebrate their graduation in front of family and friends at Antioch High School’s Eells Stadium.

“Students were excited to be able to get out and be with their teachers who they’ve been just seeing virtually through a computer screen the whole year,” Lowart said. “I think just, just an awesome experience. I mean I think it was just really satisfying.”

Lowart said that 86 students participated in Tuesday afternoon’s graduation ceremony but estimates that the overall number of Prospects graduates is just over 100 students.

Antioch Unified School District Board of Education president Ellie Householder – also a Prospects graduate – spoke to the class of 2021 about her journey from being evicted from her house in 2008 to graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a full-ride scholarship.

“Honestly, I believe in my heart that I would not be standing on this stage if I did not graduate from Prospects,” she said. “I look at you all day and I see a field full of extremely capable and intelligent and resilient young people who can accomplish whatever it is that they put their mind to.”

Student Alexis Powell was given the chance to address her peers and reminded them that their future could change with the effort they put in.

“We might work at McDonald’s now, but we can become the CEO,” Powell said in her speech. “Whatever you choose, I encourage you to keep going and never give up. Surround yourself with positive people. We have gone through a lot in a year and a half. And if we can get through this, we can get related.”

Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch present Mno Grant Elementary Principal Janeen Zuniga (left) and math and science teacher Frank with their check. (Right) Zrinski shows the size of a seven-week old aeroponic plant grown in one of the indoor towers.

Antioch Schools Education Foundation contribute, as well

By Allen Payton

Earlier this month, representatives of the Kiwanis Club of the Delta Antioch and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs presented checks to Mno Grant Elementary School Principal Janeen Zuniga and teacher Frank Zrinski for the purchase of tower gardens. They are being used to teach students about science growing plants aeroponically.

The Kiwanians provided a check for $1,000 and Rotarians provided a check for $1,500. In addition, $1,000 was donated by the Antioch Schools Education Foundation.

Members of the Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch present their check to Mno Grant Principal Janeen Zuniga and teacher Frank Zrinksi.

“I want to thank you for your awesome communication and support,” said Zrinski during the presentation.

Zuniga thanked “Kiwanis, Rotary and the support from our school board and coordinator.”

“This is just fabulous having their support,” she said.

“The way is through science and agriculture is going to lead the way and take us to Mars!” said an enthusiastic Zrinski, who teaches math and science. “These tower gardens are going to be used in so many ways. Even in kindergarten. They’re going to work with the English and History teachers for cross curriculum.”

“This is the indoor version, and the outdoor version has lights,” he pointed out.
The tower gardens are being purchased through Gwen O’Neill, which is one of the products she offers as a Juice Plus representative in Antioch.

“We met on Facebook,” O’Neill said referring to Zrinski. “This has been my dream for five years.”

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time,” club president Dr. Clyde Lewis, who is also vice president of the Antioch School Board. “By providing support for community events that directly benefit the kiddos of our city, Kiwanis Club of the Delta, Antioch continues to strive toward improving not only our city, but the world…one child at a time.”

“As club president, it is my duty to ensure that our club builds on the traditions of those leaders who came before,” he continued. “This is one of the reasons that it was a no-brainer for our club to award Mno Grant $1,000 to support for their tower garden project. When our club is in the community volunteering, this is our why.”