Mira Costa High School Graduates Class of 2022
Jun 17, 2022 10:51AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Manhattan Beach's Mira Costa High School graduated 598 students on Thursday night in a graduation ceremony at Waller Field. A celebratory march on the Strand followed.
The ceremony capped off a day of celebrations across town, as Manhattan Beach elementary schools held their promotion ceremonies earlier in the day (and Manhattan Beach Middle School held its ceremony on Wednesday).
The Mira Costa ceremony, presided over by Principal Karina Gerger, included Manhattan Beach Unified School District board members, City Council members, and other Mira Costa and MBUSD leaders.
Referring to this year's school motto, "Saddle Up for the Costa Comeback," Gerger told the Class of 2022: "You saddled up, but the ride continues. Costa is only one stop in the ride of your life. There are many others to come, and you are well prepared for the journey."
Senior commencement speaker Sloane Shevin compared the four years at Mira Costa to a TV show with the fourth season coming to an end.
Shevin continued: "Now it's Season 4, when most shows either end, introduce a new character, or jump the shark. Looking back, I'm glad I watched. Sure, some episodes were boring, or repetitive, but others were addictive, filled with drama, comedy, love and friendship... Now we're all graduating and starring in our own shows. We each have the power to direct our next series. Our story defines who we are and creates the path to our futures. There are going to be times when we want to please the public or get the critics off our back, but we must stay true to our story because in the end it's no one else's to tell, just our own."
Following the ceremony, students were bussed down to the Strand, where they took part in what has become an annual tradition of the "Sunset Stroll on the Strand" (although "June Gloom" conditions prevailed, with no visible sunset.)
Gerger led the seniors in the march down the Strand from Hermosa Beach to the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Graduates then headed down to the sand below the Manhattan Beach Pier, where they participated in one final cap toss before heading off to celebrate at the school-sponsored Grad Night.
The ceremony capped off a day of celebrations across town, as Manhattan Beach elementary schools held their promotion ceremonies earlier in the day (and Manhattan Beach Middle School held its ceremony on Wednesday).
The Mira Costa ceremony, presided over by Principal Karina Gerger, included Manhattan Beach Unified School District board members, City Council members, and other Mira Costa and MBUSD leaders.
Referring to this year's school motto, "Saddle Up for the Costa Comeback," Gerger told the Class of 2022: "You saddled up, but the ride continues. Costa is only one stop in the ride of your life. There are many others to come, and you are well prepared for the journey."
Season Four of the "Costa Show"
Senior commencement speaker Sloane Shevin compared the four years at Mira Costa to a TV show with the fourth season coming to an end.
"The 'Costa Show' wasn't Pretty Little Liars or Riverdale - and definitely not Euphoria - but it was a decent show that everyone tuned in to watch," she said. "Each season was filled with twists and turns, plot holes, guest stars and cliff hangers. I mean, how could anyone forget the COVID-19 twist in Season Two? Completely unexpected."
Shevin continued: "Now it's Season 4, when most shows either end, introduce a new character, or jump the shark. Looking back, I'm glad I watched. Sure, some episodes were boring, or repetitive, but others were addictive, filled with drama, comedy, love and friendship... Now we're all graduating and starring in our own shows. We each have the power to direct our next series. Our story defines who we are and creates the path to our futures. There are going to be times when we want to please the public or get the critics off our back, but we must stay true to our story because in the end it's no one else's to tell, just our own."
Strand Stroll Tradition Returns
Following the ceremony, students were bussed down to the Strand, where they took part in what has become an annual tradition of the "Sunset Stroll on the Strand" (although "June Gloom" conditions prevailed, with no visible sunset.)
Gerger led the seniors in the march down the Strand from Hermosa Beach to the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Families and community members lined both sides of the Strand, cheering for graduates and handing out beads and leis.
Graduates then headed down to the sand below the Manhattan Beach Pier, where they participated in one final cap toss before heading off to celebrate at the school-sponsored Grad Night.
Mira Costa Graduation 2022 [45 Images]
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