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Grads prepare for outside world
The teens will graduate today alongside 395 other Rio Mesa seniors as they don their caps and gowns and accept their diplomas at a 4 p.m. ceremony on the Oxnard campus. Although each of the three teens walked the same hallways for the past four years, their paths from freshmen to seniors have been very different. What they share, though, is hard work, talent and a dedicated team of teachers who helped them along the journey. Adam Kuns knows what it means to march to the beat of his own drum. The 17-year-old Camarillo resident plays the snare drum in the school's marching band and the baritone drum in orchestra. Musical talent and plenty of practice have earned Kuns a music scholarship to California State University at Northridge, where he will study jazz next fall. A drummer since age 9, Kuns said he spends time teaching middle and elementary school students the art of percussion music.
This senior, who will graduate with a 4.1 grade point average, lists math as his favorite subject. Kuns said what he likes most about music is its universal appeal and the way it affects an audience. "It doesn't matter who you are, anyone can understand music," said Kuns, who plans to make his career in music. David Llata jumped his share of hurdles during his high school career. The 18-year-old Camarillo resident spent time both running cross country and the hurdles while at Rio Mesa. Llata said he did "okay" at the two sports, but won't continue running when he attends California State University at Fullerton. A former staff writer for the school's newspaper, Llata holds a part-time job delivering pizza and said he plans to spend time camping in Northern California over the summer. "It went by really fast," Llata said of his time at Rio Mesa.
"He made the class very interesting." Headed to college still undeclared, Llata said he's leaning towards a major in political science, but added he expects to stay open-minded. Four years ago Nadia Talley moved from Oklahoma to Oxnard and started as a freshman at Rio Mesa High School. The 18-year-old relocated to live with her aunt and uncle following a rough time with her parents. It was a move, she said, that changed her life. "I'm a completely different person," Talley said. "Every aspect of my life has improved." A singer and musician, Talley played the trumpet at Rio Mesa and was three times named to the all-county orchestra. Forced to become independent, Talley found herself working two to three jobs at any given time to raise money for college. "I was working three jobs to get money to support myself," Talley said. The penny-wise approach helped Talley put away enough money to pay for her freshman year at California State University at Northridge. "I feel good about being financially stable through college, and I'm really good about budgeting." A member of the Christian and deaf clubs, Talley earned enough grants and scholarships to pay for her first year at Northridge. Talley, who worked as a parttime assistant for detectives at the Oxnard Police Department's major crimes unit, said she plans to study sociology and criminal justice in pursuit of a career in law enforcement. During the summer, Talley will work as a camp counselor at a Christian summer camp and will prepare for college. "I'm going to really, really miss Rio Mesa . . . I'm going to feel a big void when I have to leave," Talley said. "I'm going to start a new life, but I'll never forget the people I've become very close with." |
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