Graduation Ceremony at California School for the Deaf, Riverside Written by Erika Thompson, Public Information Officer
RIVERSIDE - California School for the Deaf, Riverside graduation in-person ceremony is held on the 3rd of June 2021, at 6:00pm in the outdoor quad of the Social Hall. For safety, the event is closed to the public this year with English and Spanish-voiced videos shown online. The Class of 2021-selected Deaf guest speaker will be Harold Foxx, a well-known comedian, writer, producer, director, filmmaker, and actor. Among his many works is “The Harold Foxx Show". (www.haroldfoxx.com)
Photo by @EttingerRachael from @IamHaroldFoxx
The 2021 graduating seniors, their families, and staff meet in person after a long hiatus of isolated quarantine since March of 2020, and already too soon bid farewell to everyone. The ceremony decorations and attire will display the class-selected colors of pink and blue, a goat as the senior class mascot, which spells out as their motto: “The Greatest of All Time”, and ForgetMe-Not flowers, since the students wanted to ensure they will never be forgotten, a timely sentiment after the long isolation during the pandemic. Not only do the graduating class share the unique experiences of a full year of virtual learning with a yearbook reflecting this theme, but this is also the first class to graduate with some students who first enrolled in the on-site Parent Infant Program that was established in 2005. Among this first group of PIP students is Azeb Visco, who will deliver her Salutatory speech. Jaime Cos Pec, a residential student from Los Angeles, will present his Valediction address.
Jaime Cos Pec and Azeb Visco, Valedictorian and Salutatorian 2021
Jaime Cos Pec, Valedictorian Jaime Cos Pec is the firstborn son of Domingo Cos and Gregoria Pec, both of whom are hearing without prior exposure to Deaf culture or sign language. After primary and intermediate schooling in Los Angeles Unified School District, Jaime transferred to CSDR as a High School Residential student. After staying overnight on a weekly basis in the cottages, playing for Track and Field, and interacting with hundreds of other Deaf peers and adult role models in school, Jaime was elevated by the rich language and learning environment; he reflects that his inner light had suddenly been turned on. With a renewed motivation to excel academically, Jaime became a well-known and relied upon math whiz who mastered Pre-Calculus. With his sharp mathematical mind, Jaime served as a consecutive Treasurer for the Associated Student Body Government and for the Student Life Council. Jaime has been accepted to attend California State University, Northridge to major in business, with a career goal of becoming an accountant. Azeb Visco, Salutatorian Azeb Visco is the firstborn daughter of Deaf parents Rene Visco and Liya Yihedgo with three siblings and seven cousins who also attend CSDR. She attended as a Day student, starting in the Parent Infant Program, contracted through Riverside Unified School District, as among its first students. High school activities she was involved in include the local chapter of the Junior National Association of the Deaf, Associated Student Body Government, Ebony Club, Cheerleading, Paw Press school newsletter, and community service. As a lifelong CSDR student, Azeb took a year off during her junior year to study abroad in Belgium with financial support from the Riverside Rotary Club. During the past year, she has been working as a barista at the local Starbucks on Arlington and Brockton. With a State Seal of Biliteracy on her diploma for her proven high proficiency in ASL and English, Azeb will attend the Gallaudet University Honor Program on a scholarship of ten thousand per year. Azeb wishes to pursue a career in business, art, and international studies and development.
CSDR Class of 2021: The graduates will go their own way to colleges, universities, trade school, or employment. Colleges and universities they will attend, some on scholarships, include California State University Northridge, Cerritos College, Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., John Cabot University in Rome, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Moorpark College, Mt. San Antonio College, National Technical Institute for the Deaf / Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Riverside City College, and Santa Barbara City College. Some students will attend trade school and/or enter employment, in their selected career pathway with the skills they have developed at the CSDR Career Technical Education program. Students with additional cognitive disabilities will also enter employment with the language and life skills acquired from the Alternate Curriculum Education program. The graduates have come from various cities in the 12 Southern California counties that CSDR serves. Gratitude goes to their local school districts for the students’ early education and/or for providing them the rich opportunity of attending California School for the Deaf, Riverside, a school “where language and learning thrive!” Congratulations to the graduating class of 2021: Brissa Anaya-Diaz (Riverside), Camille Andrade (Riverside), Clark Barrett (Riverside), Vanessa Bruce (Oceano), Natalee Bucaria (Newbury Park), Jason Bussey (Rancho Cucamonga), Jonathan Chapa (Chino Hills), Octavio Chavez-Lopez (Bakersfield), Jaime Cos Pec (Los Angeles), Felicia Cruz (Delano), Rafael Davila (San Bernardino), Alyssa Duarte (Moreno Valley), Aspen Goldstein (Riverside), Zane Hencker (Riverside), Daniel Hernandez (La Mirada), Kevin Hernandez (Chino), Noel Hernandez (Whittier), Ariana Hooper (Hesperia), Amaui Jennings (Los Angeles), Nicholas Larizza (Moreno Valley), Zola MacAulay (Riverside), Enrico Miller (Riverside), Donte Mosqueda (Moreno Valley), Corbin Murphy (Homeland), Shimaya Myles (Corona), Hailey Perez-Lu (Perris), Jaylynn Reyes (Corona), Noemi Ruiz (Riverside), Priscilla Ruiz (Riverside), Kellie Sanchez (Fontana), Naomi Taylor (Riverside), Julio Torres (Rialto), Linda Ultreras (Los Angeles), Estefania Valtierra (Torrance), Saira Rosemary Vicente (Los Angeles), Azeb Visco (Riverside), Marius Voinea (Burbank), Isabelle Williams (Grand Terrace), and D Lano Wise (Moreno Valley). #greatestofalltime # Students at California School for the Deaf are engaged in a positive environment where ASL and English are valued, cultures are embraced, learning is relevant, and self-worth is uplifted. In collaboration with families and school communities, Southern California students prepare for college and careers with academic rigor, innovative technology, and extracurricular opportunities.