Jason Redmond / Star staff Michael Barry, left, Tyler Allen and Jacob Pearson look through yearbooks before the Indian Hills High School graduation ceremony Thursday in Calabasas.

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Two red roses rested on the graduates' chairs, ready to be handed as a symbolic "thank you" to the people who helped them achieve a milestone: high school graduation.

The Class of 2007 at Indian Hills High School in Calabasas graduated Thursday night, completing the continuation program designed for teens struggling with various issues in high school including bad grades, behavior or low school credits.

The 28 graduates marched as "Pomp and Circumstance" blared and the crowd of about 150 friends, family and others roared and applauded.

"Yeah, Jake!" yelled Jon Pearson, father of Jacob Pearson. Jon Pearson said his son was a shy kid who didn't participate in class and had other struggles at Agoura Hills High School.

The graduates in that procession of red caps and gowns represented many tales of struggles and students who were happy to graduate.

In that line was Ian Comi, who before he came to Indian Hills had a 1.2 grade-point average. He raised it to a 3.4.

In that bunch was Steele Milton-Savokinas, a student who said he displayed anger and was argumentative at his old school before coming to Indian Hills about two years ago.

He has learned to be more respectful, and how to be an adult and take responsibility. The 17-year-old from Agoura Hills said he could possibly seek a career in criminal justice and may attend Moorpark College.

"I'm happy to graduate, finally," he said. "The sky's the limit."

Sandra Smyser, superintendent of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, told the graduates that no one becomes successful in life alone. Everyone needs help, she said.

She encouraged the class to go continue progressing, and commended its members for the achievement they had made.

"I hope that you have learned that you can make changes in your life," she said.

Graduate Brianne Roa spoke about how Indian Hills had a positive effect on her life as she addressed her colleagues.

She used to ditch high school with her friends before she came to Indian Hills. Roa also didn't like her former teachers and felt they treated her differently from smarter kids, she said.

But this school gave her a second chance, something she said she and others had not been given.

"We're smart individuals who just needed a second chance, and it worked," she said.

Toward the back of the crowd, Jon Pearson listened and said he liked what the student speakers said.

"I think my son felt a lot like that," he said, referring to Roa's comment of having a second chance to succeed. "Here he got a lot of attention and it was good for him."