BALDWIN PARK – More than 180 graduating seniors received diplomas during an emotionally charged commencement at North Park Continuation High School on May 31 that featured an interlude during which students bestowed orchid leis on family, friends and mentors to recognize their support.

The high school graduated 185 students, topping its 2016 graduation rate of 92 percent – one of the highest for continuation schools in the region.

Graduates Rebecca Contreras, who represented North Park as a student board member on the Baldwin Park Unified Board of Education, and Luis Rios, told classmates of their journeys from comprehensive high schools to North Park and the support they received from the school.

Contreras has enrolled in a New York mortuary school. Rios plans to attend Mt. San Antonio College en route to UCLA or UC Berkeley as he pursues a business or law degree.

Contreras and three classmates also received scholarships:

Contreras received a scholarship from SchoolsFirst Credit Union;
Gabriela Flores was honored by the Southern California chapter of the Association of California School Administrators as well as by the Baldwin Park Organization of Supervisors and Administrators;
Helen Robles received a gift from Baldwin Park Education Association and the Baldwin Park Sister Cities Scholarship; and
Citlally Nino Pena received an American Red Cross Scholarship.

PHOTOS

BPUSD_NPGRAD_1-2: North Park Continuation High School graduates and their families celebrate commencement on May 31. The school graduated 185 students, topping the 92 percent graduation rate achieved in 2016.