Features

Seniors Graduate Friday Evening; Ceremony Takes Place at Greek Theater

Tuesday June 10, 2003

About 650 seniors will cross the stage Friday at Berkeley High School’s graduation ceremony. 

“It’s a very accomplished group of young men and women and we’re very proud to see them move off to their next level of learning,” said Berkeley High School co-principal Mary Ann Valles. 

The ceremony will take place at UC Berkeley’s Greek Theater at 5:30 p.m. and will last about three hours, with male students in red gowns and female students sporting gold. 

Senior Andy Turner, who serves as student representative on Berkeley’s Board of Education, will be one of three featured speakers. Students David Chernicoff and Shelly Therrence will also speak. 

Various students are also expected to sing, read poetry and play music at the ceremony. As of Monday, graduation organizers were trying to line up a performance by the high school’s Afro-Haitian dance class. 

Berkeley High, as always, will have no valedictorian. 

“All of the children are first in the class,” said school district spokesman Mark Coplan. 

Each graduating senior received 10 tickets to distribute to family and friends, who can enter the Greek Theatre beginning at 4 p.m. Friday. Limited disabled seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Parking is limited and high school officials are encouraging families to carpool. For more information, call Berkeley High’s events coordinator Ivery McKnight-Johnson at 644-8990.