With the triumphant sound of the “Olympic Fanfare,” the eighth graders in George McParland School’s class of 2012 walked into the fading golden glow of Wednesday’s late spring sunset and into the next level of their education that will start in August.

The promotion ceremony was held in Delmer Derrick Courtyard, named after the school’s late principal who succumbed to cancer several years ago. With its gentle knolls, the courtyard provided a perfect vantage point for family members and friends to view the promotion proceedings emceed by school Principal Dale Borgeson.

Eighth grade students who were featured in the evening program were Lucy Orozco who led the flag salute at the beginning of the ceremony, Mikayla Archer and Valerie Ramos who jointly shared the class history, the presentation of the class gift led by Kayla Lecce, and the class “future speech” by Trevor Baum. Among the awards presented during the program were the George McParland Award named after the school’s namesake who was a longtime Manteca Unified teacher and principal, the Delmer Derrick Award, Faculty Awards, and the Academic Awards.

Presenting the diplomas to the students being promoted were Manteca Unified board members Wendy King and Don Scholl, along with the school principal and vice principal.



Stella Brockman

The gym at Stella Brockman School on Wednesday evening was a sea of blue and white. The school colors were reflected in the scores of balloons that set off the jovial and celebratory atmosphere for the ceremony that officially promoted the eighth graders to the secondary level.

Achievement awards were presented to the Honor Roll students who posted 4.0 grades, as well as to those who earned 3.5 grades. Students who posted 4.0 grade point averages were Armando Chavez, MaKayla Dodd, Noah Moral, Andrew Millard, Lovepreet Kaur, Artid Oudanonh, Brianna Padua, Tanner Peterson, Jesse Semenza, and Selina Tesfandrias. The students received their achievement certificates from school Principal Candace Espinola and Vice Principal Brenda Scholl.

The featured speaker for the Class of 2012 was Mark Paule. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by Emily Felt, with the welcome and flag salute led by Parker Caston. The presentation of the class gift was made by Timothy Brown Duag.

Presenting the diplomas to the students were Manteca Unified School District Senior Director of Elementary Education Cheryl Meeker, and Board of Trustee Michael Seelye.