Congrats BHS Class of '09

On this lovely, sunny Burlingame afternoon the Class of '09 concluded their four year journey through high school.  Included among the 320 graduates were 75 California Scholarship Foundation honorees and seven valedictorians who attained perfect 4.0 grade point averages for their entire four years at BHS.

Board of Trustees member Peter Hanley noted in his acceptance speech that by earning the diploma today the graduates have reduced their chances of being unemployed by 35 percent.

Congrats to the whole class, and especially student speakers Roxanne Barghahn, Grace Delia and Adam Klein, on a job well done.  We also hope the three students who had to forego the graduation ceremony to compete in the CCS track and field championships did well today.  Go Panthers!

Comments

[Joanne]

It was a best of Burlingame afternoon -- sunny with a slight cool breeze, beautiful red and white robes, red and white flowers, red track and green and white field, all framed by the eucalyptus groves in the background. Even the numerous trains (did I count seven?) provided atmosphere, not to mention a few laughs.

[Proud Mary]

This was my last BHS graduation so I'm a bit sentimental about the whole thing, but it was one of the nicest of the last few years.

I was quite proud of the valedictorians. Two Roosevelt kids, one Washington, one McKinley, one Lincoln and two Burlingame kids who went to Nueva. Thanks to the teachers, the coaches, the counselors and the staff. '09 went out in style.

[btown-mom]

Does anyone know where the valedictorians are attending college?

[Joanne]

Two Stanford, 2 Berkeley, 1 Northeastern, 1 UCLA and 1 Pomona.

[KRN]

Why Chris Holleran is already a great BHS Principal!

The following may be found at:

http://cifccs.org/

Six Pillars of Character:
Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship

This time of year many of our student-athletes have to make very difficult choices about in which activities they will participate. A story of a dedicated Principal caring for his students makes us all proud to be associated with such people in the field of interscholastic athletics!
Chris Holleran, Burlingame High School Principal exemplifying pillars of character!

I have to share with you a really classy thing Chris Holleran, the Principal of Burlingame High School, did Friday. As you may know Friday was graduation day in the SMUHSD. As such any seniors qualified for CCS had to make a tough choice of either graduating with their class or going on to CCS to try for the opportunity to go to State meet next weekend in Fresno. Burlingame had 3 seniors who choose to go to the CCS T&F Finals: Jennifer Carey, Amanda Koester (both in 4x100R & the 4x400R) and Rogan Meza(1600m).

Unbeknownst to them, the BHS Principal drove down to Gilroy after the BHS 3 pm official grad ceremony and surprised them with their diplomas. As it turned out they happened to have their cap and gowns which they kiddingly said if they qualified for the State meet they would wear to the podium.

So with family, friends, other teammates and coaches around they were handed their diplomas from the principal while all of us hummed "Pomp and Circumstance."

To say the kids were shocked would be an under statement. While none of them made it to the State meet they will have one of the most unique graduation memories of all the senior athletes competing throughout the state.

And by the way, Chris happens to live in Santa Rosa so he has a long commute as it is and made it longer going to Gilroy. I have to believe he is a very caring individual. He has coached X-C, Track and Football during his teaching career so he has a great respect for the commitment student athletes make to their school and sports. BHS is lucky to have him. He did stay at the meet till the 4x400R ran in one of the last 2 events of the evening.

See photo at link http://cifccs.org/

[Joanne]

How thoughtful of Mr. Holleran. John Horgan also told this story in his column today in the San Mateo County Times.