Class of 2024 Graduates From Pali High

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

As the sun slowly sank into the sea last Thursday evening, June 6, Palisades Charter High School faculty and administrators bid a fond farewell to the Class of 2024 in the school’s graduation ceremony on the football field, where 750-plus seniors were handed diplomas during a commencement themed by hope and optimism for the future.

The PCHS symphony orchestra, concert band and drum line, conducted by Peter Ye, got the thousands of family members and supporters packing the bleachers in a right frame of mind with their musical preludes followed by the processional tune “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates filed into the stadium from the tunnel steps leading from the quad.

Student Body President Rustin Kharrazi led the Pledge of Allegiance before Delaney Hutchinson, Theo King and Jiya Kumar harmonized a rendition of the national anthem.

This year, 26 graduates—10 more than 2023—participated in a multi-lingual welcome, addressing the gathering one by one, including Gavin Sternberg (Afrikaans), Amy Abdel Messeh (Arabic), Sydney Meza (American Sign Language), Mia Zuaiter (Danish) and Shira Berukhim (Dutch).

Acapali garnered thundering applause for its performance of “End of the Road,” and Principal Dr. Pam Magee gave the executive director/principal address, acknowledging this as one of the largest graduating classes in the last decade and congratulating all those completing graduation requirements for their adaptability amid virtual learning their freshman year.

Magee then introduced special guest speaker, Allison Holdorff Polhill, senior advisor for Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Nick Melvoin, who spoke at last year’s commencement.

“My three kids graduated from Pali High not too long ago, and I don’t remember what was said or who said it,” she joked. “I recommend you do three things this summer: take a financial literacy class, spend as much time as you can with your friends and classmates, and ask your parents and grandparents what they were like at your age.”

“Small acts of kindness make a huge difference,” she continued. “Stop exploring the web and start exploring the world. We need your grit, your courage, your smarts and your ingenuity. I wish you happiness, fulfillment and joy.”

In his welcome address, Senior Class President Chukwunonso Kojo-Onwaeze said: “I left behind Nigeria, fear was around me, but I made this new world my own. Face the unknown and be ready to conquer. There’s an African saying ‘It takes a village,’ so for my family watching this livestream—this is all for you.”

Next, valedictorian Matthew Lee stepped to the podium and shared the importance of facing adversity—“from traffic on Sunset to every tech problem the world has thrown at us, to long days of conditioning workouts”—with people close to you.

Speaker Naila Ezekiel stressed having “faith over fear” while “no amount of guilt will change the past,” after which another musical interlude, arranged by Kumar and Jean Rodriguez titled “Pali High Graduation Medley 2024,” was performed by senior musicians and soloists. Anisa Watkins closed with “See you later Class of 2024!”

Then Dr. Chris Lee, director of Academic Programs and Guidance Services, offered insight and perspective to those watching and participating.

“I’m asking all of us prior generations to think of your own graduation, your worries and concerns,” Lee said. “Yes, online permanence can make us hesitant to challenge ourselves. No, cell phones and social media aren’t going away, but making mistakes is an essential part of your growth and development. Each of you has a bright future ahead.”

Magee and Lee conducted the presentation of diplomas as Karen Ellis, Tom Seyler, Heather Schon, Maggie Nance, Nicole Newbie, Elva Pouya, Synbdia Olmos and Bethany Hutchinson took turns reading off the names.

Finally came the moment the students had been anxiously waiting for all day, as Magee instructed them to flip their tassels from right to left to symbolize a transition into the next step on life’s journey.

With that, the graduates threw their caps into the air, hugged, high-fived, danced and took selfies to celebrate the four years they “made a splash” as Dolphins.

For more photos, see Page 9.