Graduation Photos

It's the heart of graduation season and we've got grad photos.
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Karen Quincy Loberg / Star staff Kristin Dane Brabant extends her hand for a high-five with Elana Rachel Teitelbaum at their commencement Thursday night.

Dressed in royal blue caps and gowns, more than 500 graduates streamed into the Agoura High School stadium and took their seats surrounded by white pillars and lattice fences. The students, most of whom were wearing sunglasses to ward off the blazing sun, faced the stands bursting with several thousand supporters.

"On this day, I am happy. I have never been happier in my life," Austin Kearn, one of the senior speakers said to the crowd. "Because, do you realize, that I'm never going to have to ask for permission to go to the bathroom again in my life."

And so the tone was set for a graduation ceremony where formality occasionally gave way to sheer celebration. Agoura High School is known as a school of high achievers, and there were 13 valedictorians and six salutatorians in this class.

But some of the highest achievements came from the music students. Eric Lamm, who plays the double bass, will be attending Juilliard in New York on an endowment.

"I was enticed by the music of J.S. Bach," Lamm said. "I figured if I played bass, I could do that. I love that kind of music."

Lamm's mother, Carrie Barton, is a professional bass player. She said her son had worked hard to get into Juilliard. "He has played jazz more than classical, but he has been studying classical pretty hard for the past few years," Barton said. "So for him to get into the classical program is perfect."

Another student who will be going even farther away to school is Virginia Rockwell. She will attend the Royal Academy of Music in London. Rockwell was trained on the violin but changed instruments midway.

"I found my dad's viola in the guesthouse and started playing it," Rockwell said. "I liked the sound better. I'd love to become a soloist."

Not all of the graduates are headed into the arts. Ashley Yenche will be starting at Santa Monica City College this summer. "I want to be a pediatrician, so I'm going to be a biological science major," Yenche said.

Principal Larry Misel noted the many new programs that have been launched recently at the school. After quoting less familiar passages from John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech, Misel gave this year's graduating seniors some advice. "Now it is your turn to create history," Misel said. "Remember, only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatness."