Gilroy Middle School Graduation 2011

The graduating class of eighth-graders this year meant a little something extra to its three Gilroy middle school principals.

For Salvatore Tomasello, Ascencion Solorsano Middle School principal, it was his final goodbye as he heads toward retirement.
For Greg Kapaku, soon to be former South Valley Middle School principal, it was a chance to reflect on seven years of mentoring students while looking forward to the new opportunity of serving as vice principal at Christopher High School.

Finally, for Brownell Middle School’s Greg Camacho-Light, it was a learning experience as he said farewell to a 2011 graduating class that marked his first full three years at the school as principal.

There were some common elements for the Wednesday – South Valley – and Thursday – Brownell and Solorsano – promotion ceremonies. Elated students got a preview of high school life when six Gilroy High School Chamber Choir members started the ceremony by singing the national anthem. They were also welcomed by GHS Principal Marco Sanchez and CHS Principal John Perales at the close of the celebrations.

On Wednesday, about 500 people gathered at the CHS gym as Kapaku handed out awards to outstanding students, speaking personally of each one during his last graduation ceremony as principal of the school.
"It's been such a great place, such a great experience, but I'm excited for the new change and the new challenges of high school," Kapaku said.

The Gilroy Gardens Pavilion hosted Brownell’s ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday and was bittersweet for Camacho-Light.
“This is the class that I came in with three years ago,” Camacho-Light said. “In a sense, this is my graduation too. It’s always bittersweet to see this. One, we lived with these kids, and two, it’s good to see them move on.”

More than 300 friends and family supported the class. Large shiny balloons and candy leis awaited the students after the ceremony ended at about 7 p.m.

“This class was able to grow with us in terms of us developing a school that continues to grow in terms of academics,” Camacho-Light said.

Following Brownell's graduation, Ascencion Solorsano Middle School graduated at 7 p.m. at Gilroy High School’s Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.

Students who achieved a 4.0 throughout their six semesters were recognized before the graduating certificates were presented.
Friends and family used noisemakers – one even used a megaphone mimicking the sound of a police siren – to congratulate graduates.

Veteran principal Tomasello, who has been serving GUSD as a teacher and coach since 1978 and also as an athletic director beginning in 1984 for 16 years, offered advice to his departing students.

“I would encourage them to continue the same hard work, commitment, effort and dedication as they enter high school,” he said. “Promotion from middle school is just another step towards graduation from high school.”

Earlier, Tomasello stood at the podium to address the crowd with a final goodbye.

“As you move on to your next phase in your life, as you know, I am also moving onto mine in retirement,” Tomasello said. “I will forever share that experience of us leaving Solorsano together.”