Whether we were on a field trip, or working here in school, you have been the heart of thousands of shared moments. A school trip to San Diego is memorable because of you, not the empty beach. School without you is just a hollow building in the desert. When you zip out of here tonight with your diplomas in your hands and joy in your hearts, we will miss you, but you will never be completely gone. All of you with your particular strengths and weaknesses, quirks and humors, are woven forever into the fabric of our lives.

---- from David's speech in 2000.

 

Excerpts from the 2008 graduation speeches:

Mary Jane:

"The journeys that our high school graduates have chosen were not hurried and meaningless. They were filled with creativity, first-hand experiences, choices, freedom, relationships, discovery--not just of knowledge, but of self and personal values. They built on their strengths and encouraged each other; but most of all, they experienced joy, a joy of learning and a delight in life itself.

"A few days ago, one of our 6-year-olds came running to tell me that she got to climb to the top of Harrison's water tank and said she could see the whole world! And surrounded by the love of her family, the friendship of our students, the examples of our graduates, and the support of Kino's teachers, she can see the whole world--and that world is full of joy."

Harrison:

"There is a magic about Kino that seems to bring out a person's hidden potential. . . The magic here is in the community. Everybody is friendly here, and I consider every student and every teacher a friend. . . . The magic of Kino is in the creativity. No other school would allow me to spontaneously decide to make a hot air balloon out of garbage bags and then take it outside and try to fly it. But the most magical elemant of Kino, I believe, is the fun. . . .

"Kino students are very fortunate to have a full hour of fun scheduled every day. Morning and afternoon homerooms are times for playing games, or simply socializing and enjoying each other's company. With so much time devoted to no-strings-attached fun, it's no wonder that Kino brings out the best in students. The daily random interactions around Kino are arguably better practical education than anything taught in a classroom, because while they may seem trivial, they allow the students and teachers to practice and hone their "interpersonal effectiveness skills," which are such a valuable resource. Many Kino graduates I have known are exceptional communicators, and I think that our school meetings and the many hours they have to spend explaining little things to primary students play a definite role in this."

Ben:

"I've been to quite a few of these graduation ceremonies and I've watched as my friends graduated and left Kino, but I never thought it would happen to me. Part of me truly believed that I'd be here forever, and that I'd never have to say goodbye to these people that I've grown to know and love. However, all good things must come to an end, as they say, and it seems that day has come. But you haven't seen the last of me, because it will take more than a high school diploma to keep me away from here."

Thomas:

"In a way Kino is like my huge unrelated family."

Gavin:

"Kino is unlike any school that I have ever been to. And I know why. It is because Kino is more than just a building. It is a concept. And this concept is kept alive by the teachers of Kino ... and it is kept alive by the students of Kino. What makes Kino Kino is the people here. That is why Kino is so special.

"You know ... we don't have the best sports equipment. We don't have the best playground, or the newest computers, or the largest library. But one thing we do have is teachers who really care about teaching. Teachers who truly want to be here, who really give of themselves for this school. Teachers who really work to make their lessons both informative and enjoyable. Teachers who recognize that if you don't care about the subject you're teaching, no one else is going to either. Teachers who do their best to teach in different ways instead of trying to make kids learn in different ways. At Kino we have teachers whose passion is teaching. We have teachers who give time out of their day to help with things beyond what they are required to do. . . .

"At Kino I have been respected as a person instead of being looked down upon as a kid. At Kino I have been trusted to be responsible. At Kino I have been allowed to decide the path of my education. At Kino my opinions have been listened to and respected. Also, at Kino I have never been accused of stealing the cafeteria's milk cartons by an irate principal."

Elizabeth:

[on its way]

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