My name is Dana McCloy. And you all have seen me here before, some of you. Um when I was here one other time, it was to address safety concerns, and that is still my intent. There are still a lot of safety concerns happening in our schools that I know many of you do not actually have a student in the school district. I actually had two. My daughter just graduated from high school. I might have a son who is a freshman in high school. Um so, what I had interpreted before was that one of my safety concerns is that we have one music teacher who is supervising over 110 students this year on with the marching band and next year it'll be over 120. Another cause of concern is that we also have a driver's ed teacher who has been arrested for DUI and other things related to that.
>> I'm Wler. >> Hi, I'm Addie and I'm one of the managers of the city. Hi, Grace. >> A couple of the um neat experiences that we have had this year is with CG Singers. We were able to travel to New York City over fall break. Um we got to have a talkback with the Queens from Six. Um we worked with a vocal coach. We went to AMDA, did a dance class there. They got to see um three Broadway shows while they were there. They went and explored the city in terms of cultural um um icons as well. And so that was a really great experience for the 70 children in um CG singers. And then later that year or later that um semester, we were invited to sing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on their film series for Home Alone. So the students they the orchestra plays the soundtrack and the kids were the vocal soundtrack.
He predicted, if you remember, that we'll continue to see that decline through 2021. Um and so, this is a chart of where we've been in the last 15 years. One of the elements that was not in the demographer study that has been a um especially difficult additional piece for us with enrollment has been the passage of universal choice scholarship for the most part. Um most families in the state qualify for choice scholarship. That happened during this strategic plan time frame. And as you can see, us along with other school corporations in the state, it nearly um doubled those numbers. Uh the other thing that is not in the demographer study that is another factor that negatively impacts enrollment is the large movement of transfer of students online, and that is not unique to Jennings County. That is across the state. When we started the plan, we had 97 students that would have been Jennings County students transferring out onto an online program.
So, it's it's huge to go 15 and five. And even if you do, you know, not make it out of the postseason or make it in the postseason very far, I still think that this season is certainly a win going 15 and five and and making the state tournament. That's a win in itself. >> Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely, yes. So, it it and it has been a pleasure to watch them play. And it has been a a pleasure to do this with you. I'm so glad that we were able to do it one more time. Who knows, maybe if they're hosting a playoff game, we'll get to do a third game, Jacob. It really has been great. I've enjoyed this opportunity. Um, I think it's time to to close this thing out. Yeah, well, it was a pleasure to do it with you a couple days in a row.
Nico Ustaris, who is now batting .597 on the season. Came in yesterday batting .593, had a couple hits. And she continues to just get on base and run all over the place. Yeah, Nico manufactured that first run of the game uh getting on base on an infield hit, which was a sharply hit ball and I I would think that 95% of the runners or the batter runners in the Tri-Valley League would have been thrown out on that play. Nico's able to beat it out and then turn two three past balls into the first run of the game for the Clockers as she stole uh all the way around the bases. So, hopefully she can lead it off today with a base hit and get things rolling for the Clockers early. And she'll be followed by Haley Butermann, the second baseman, and then Ava Van Zandt who was behind the plate yesterday.
So, I'm happy I was invited, and I was delighted to be able to go. And congratulations to you both. I know this is a super awesome time of year, so soak it all in, and enjoy it, and uh you know, congratulations. Thank you. Dr. Harrigan. Yeah, congratulations to both of you. Um it is a fun time of year and a little melancholy kind goes along with it. Um I'm just wondering um what the change from B1 day to Ram Bree How did that come about? What's the implication for that? I love the name. I think it's I think that's why we changed it. I think more people were intrigued by it and I think it encapsulated what the school's all about. Like go Rams, things like that. Yeah, and I think the the shift we kind of shifted focus a little bit with the activities that we did and it was more kind of I think structured and designed to keep students in school.
Moren Reed and art teacher Sarah McGrimley. >> Good evening. Thank you so much for having us tonight. Um so this is Sarah McGrimley, one of our art teachers. Um, so we're going to talk a little bit about the first uh piece, the Student Voice Institute. Back uh in August or so, Marlene invited me and a couple of teachers to join her in this training by Partners for Educational Leaders. So, we chose Sarah and we and also um Julie Trofone, an English teacher who couldn't be with us tonight. And we went through this training. I'm going to talk a little bit about that and let um Is this I'm kind of short. I'm going to talk a little bit about that and then let Sarah take over from there. So, I have to say in my 25 plus years in education, this is one of the um best trainings I've had outside of district training.
I don't know if anyone was on the board when these happened, but it like the person [snorts] traps at the >> Yes, that's an example of it with the school security grants. We had to spend the money. It was part of our capital budget. I do not believe it went to referendum and then we got funding back and that, you know, went to the town and that was part of the agreement. So it works similarly to that. >> Okay. Yeah, and we died cuz they had to redo the man trap cuz the first one looked like you were in jail. Really? I don't recall that, but I believe it. Yeah, and it was like metal wire that looked like Oh, and this includes the dis- discus cage as well. Yeah, the safety it's ball safety netting behind goal lines and then let's see. I just want to double check which page Are you on the second page?
Dr. Jerry Freed, Superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District. Amy Quan, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services. Brad Jackson, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources. And lastly, Dr. Sia Perez, Principal of Savannah High School. In addition, I'd like to thank our teachers, administrators, and support staff, and our counseling staff who have supported the graduating class of 2026. El Doctor Jose Paulo >> Now please welcome to the podium our first senior speaker Andres Leyva. Thank you Anthony and Sophia. Good morning distinguished guest, faculty, staff, parents, and my fellow graduates. My name is Andres Leyva Navarrete. And it is an honor to stand before you today representing the class of 2026. Today I stand on the stage in my most vulnerable form. Not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone who's still learning how to be seen. Right now I feel hundreds of eyes piercing my skin.
I'll be leading you in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. Please place your right hand over your hearts. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for our national anthem. >> [music] [music] [applause] >> Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. It is our pleasure to present the Western High School Choir performing Becoming You. >> [music] [music] >> Adventure [singing] awaits. A journey [music] to becoming [singing] you. Leaving [music] behind who you know. See [singing] how [music] much you grow. Turn over [singing] [music] each stone. Explore every turn in the road. Leave without [singing and music] landing and fly. Find [singing] you in the sky. >> [music] [music] >> Take [music] [singing] the plunge and charge forward. We'll keep [music and singing] going.
Her heart sank. She was went into a panic. And then they both Just kidding. Just kidding. And started to laugh. Since then, they're constantly to trying to give her a little heart attack. So I If you promise to stop by and give her a heart attack occasionally, every administrator needs their hearts to pump a little faster at times. and you want to keep her healthy. Okay. So, we appreciate you. >> Thank you. I'm gonna Jaden, hang on. I'm gonna ask that the board comes up as well so that they get to shake your hand. I just wasn't going to make them stand there at the beginning. And then we have a couple things. >> Okay. So, then if you just shake each You're going to shake everybody's hand. They're going to take a picture of you. This is a big deal because we appreciate you.
Everyone, can you come out, please? Would you step forward when your name is called? Athena Abria, Gavin Anderson, William Baker, Jackson Carter, Jason Christie, Liam Curry, Shelby Gamato, Brad Julie, Benjamin. Donovan's not here tonight, but he's awesome. And then we have Zoe Gibson. All right, group one, you are one of four. It's your turn to return to the wings. And we're going to have group two come on up. The conveyor belt of genius going here. All right. Honoring our next group, we have Valeria Gonzalez Hernandez. David Herbato, Hannah Jansen, Haron Carr, Benjamin Keller, Paige Kennedy, >> Jason Klein, Luke Platin, Euine Le, sorry, um, Anna Duke, Alexander Lopez, Thomas Ma on the way out. I'm saving all the nicknames we have in class. And um come on out group number three. They found out my family nickname is duck. I have a lot of ducks in my room.
Yes, I was I was I wanted to see if anybody was going to ask any questions and I was just going to elaborate cuz it is kind of just a little broad a little vague. So, first we were really happy that we had not one but two Assemblywomen come to our meeting, right? And be there and it was after 5:00 and we were just happy that they were very receptive and that they attended. So, as far as health care cost they Assemblywoman mentioned that there were a couple of bills. One of them being to appropriate funds to help districts absorb the cost of health care increases. So, that would be state funds, but it's a bill. And so, there's other ones regarding reallocating settlements potentially to to allocate for health care increases as well. But, you know, overall again, they're bills that are making their way through and different different capacity different places in in in line.
Each year the national lodge in Chicago, they sponsor an essay contest for our grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. Uh this year those students who participated wrote their thoughts on the theme what the service to my country mean to me. Some very interesting comments from our students. It was really great to read them all. Um Evesham Township schools submitted essays to our lodge, one of 113 lodges in the state of New Jersey. First, second, and third place were selected for each grade and then if chosen, they went to district and they went to state and they went national. Now, we didn't get to national. We didn't get to state this year, but we did last year. Uh but next year, we're going to take it all the way. All right. So, I'll give that back. Thank you. So, we'll read the names and maybe um as we get to the names that are on those plaques, well, then we can give them the plaque and the certificate.
Life has a way of placing people exactly where they need to be. even when they do not understand it at first. Sometimes the moments we least expect end up shaping us the most, teaching us resilience, growth, and the importance of appreciating every opportunity we are given. I want to dedicate the speech to the most important people in my life, my family. My mom, my dad, my sisters, and even my new pet, Lana. I am beyond grateful to have him in my life. Our superintendent, Dr. Zero, once asked me, "What is your why? What is your purpose of showing up every day?" At this moment, I would like to ask my family to please stand. >> They are my wife. They are the reason I am standing here today and the reason I was able to make it this far. Their unconditional love and support have given me the strength to keep going even during difficult moments.
Entering in on the right side of the stage, the exceptional Mariachis, Mariachi Serenata. Check, check, check, check. There you go. This thing's on. Turn turn. This is going to be so much fun. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] >> Esta cumbia buena. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music and singing] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [singing] >> Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. >> [singing] >> Hey. >> [music] [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [singing] [music] >> Hey. >> [music] >> I thank >> [music] >> you for coming, everyone. To our graduation. >> [music] >> 2026. And I just want to say thank you for all my family that came, my uncles, my auntie, my mom that came, [music] my uncle from North Carolina for this graduation.
Their sacrifices and determination helped shape the schools we attend, the neighborhoods we call home, and the opportunities we have today. So, whatever your next step is, remember this. Success is not measured by how quickly you have everything figured out. It is measured by your willingness to keep growing and moving forward. So, as we step into the future, let us do so with grateful hearts and passion for what you believe in. As Mr. Worldwide says, "Every day above ground is a great day." Congratulations, class of 2026. Thank you. And now, to your senior class president, my best friend, Emsley Hudacheck. Good evening, everyone. I'm Emsley Hudacheck, and I'm honored to be your class president. Most of us were born in 2007 or 2008. That makes it sound like a lifetime ago, but in reality, it wasn't. Yet, in that short time, the world has changed dramatically.
Good evening everyone, family, friends, teachers, and my fellow graduates. When people talk about senior year, they usually imagine something exciting, full of memories, milestones, and last. But for me, my senior didn't start that way. My classroom wasn't a desk or a hallway. It was a backseat of my car. I was trying to balance school, two jobs, late night homework, and life. just hoping I can make it there each day. There were times I hit some of the lowest points of my lifetime and unsure if things would ever get better. I struggled when I made mistakes. There were moments where I generally didn't think I was going to make it here today to graduation. And moments when everything felt like it was falling apart, but even then, I kept going. Over time, things started to change. I was able to find stability. I found a place to live with people I care about deeply.
Um we also have students who are participating in a Tik Tok trend, but it's something that goes way back um in a classroom with other students and there were three students who did this trend where they are choked until they pass out, turn blue. And there were two teachers in the gymnasium and it happened during a physical education class. Where is the supervision? This is a huge safety concern. Literally seeing a video where your child turns blue and passes out is nothing any parent should ever have to witness. And then also children are allowed to get high and vape in in classrooms I've been told, but then also in bathrooms it happens on a very regular occasion and all the students seem to know about it, but there's nobody going in and actually monitoring these bathrooms. I think until I made a remark to the well until a child ended up having to go to the ER because of a problem with that.