Slover Mountain Grads Look Forward to the Future

Slover Mountain High School (SMHS) bid a happy farewell to 105 of its students during the high school’s commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 30. Students were called by name and walked across a stage in front of their friends, families, teachers and school officials to receive their diplomas in a ceremony that also included four student speakers: TaJanay Vaughn, Luis Cota, Gabryelle Mercado and Anamarie Marcos Ridley. SMHS counselor Jennifer Mullendore said that additionally, “Scholarships from community supporters like the Kiwanis Club and Mr. and Mrs. Zamora” were also awarded to the students. The evening was one that recognized the work of both students and school officials to bring each graduate to the end of their high school careers, shared SMHS Assistant Principal Sally Lopez, who has been working at the school for a year and a half. “The students here are getting prepared just like [at] other [Colton Joint Unified School District] schools,” said Lopez. “They’re successful because the teachers are giving them one-on-one help when they need it, and the availability of and the connections made with the teachers helps.” Opportunities for morning and afternoon tutoring are also contributing factors to the graduation rate, one of the higher rates the school has seen in recent years, Lopez shared. Other contributing factors to the students’ success can be credited to the work of counselors Jennifer Mullendore, Dora Zargoza and Sharon Halter-Day, said teacher Ray Ariamal. “These three are the best counselors that I’ve ever witnessed in action,” said Ariamal, who has worked with the district for 13 years. “It is their diligence and the love for their jobs that is giving Slover its record number of graduates.” Of the 105 graduates, two—Anamarie Marcos Ridley and Amelia Aguirre—graduated a year early, and many will go on to study at community colleges, technical and career schools and some will go right into the work force, according to Mullendore. Additionally, Ariamal shared that 16 of this year’s graduates were resource students, or those with mild to moderate learning disabilities. “That’s a record number of resource graduates in one year,” said Ariamal, a resource teacher who just completed his seventh year at Slover. “Prior to the 2006–2007 year, Slover usually had one resource graduate a year. Out of approximately 22 to 28 students in a caseload, that’s nearly a 60 percent graduation rate,” he said, adding, “A lot of times, resource students will move out of these courses because they no longer need them.” The graduation ceremony also remembered one student who was unable to share the evening with his peers; an essay written by Dylan Rotellini, a SMHS student who passed away in a car accident over the spring break, was read by Principal Kristi Richardson, and his diploma received by his family, who attended that night. Additionally, Anamarie Marcos Ridley made a reference in her speech to a close friend, a Washington High School student, who also recently passed. For those who took part in the event, the event marked the culmination of years of hard work. “The Slover graduation ceremony is always a poignant event. Each student walking across the stage has a unique story. For most of the students, the ceremony marks the culmination of a very difficult journey,” said Mullendore. “I am proud of each one of our graduates and am continually inspired by their accomplishments,” she finished. Graduate Eugene Byrd reflected on his experience at Slover Mountain, owing his success in part to both his personal efforts and those of the counselors. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my favorite counselor, Ms. Mullendore. She planned out my whole year and with my hard work, I did it. My family is so proud of me,” he said. Students like Mathew Arriola, a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who has already participated in two TKO fights, shared what they felt was the importance of a high school diploma. “I know I’m preparing to fight professionally, but I needed an education to fall back on just in case I get injured or get too old,” said Arriola. The school was recently awarded a six-year accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which gives each diploma received by Slover graduates its academic weight. It takes in new students every six weeks, shared Assistant Principal Lopez. Approximately 280 students are enrolled each mini-quarter, she shared, and students graduate throughout the year, between the months of September and May.