6 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - It had the joyous, vibrant feel that a high school graduation is supposed to have: smiles, hugs, elegant graduation gowns and the nervous excitement from kids about to leave high school.
"It feels surreal," said Taylor Miroglio.
"It's amazing," said Amber Patrick. "I've been waiting for this since freshman year."
But behind the excitement was an undeniable sense of finality.
"It's a sad moment. It's bittersweet," said parent Michelle Claussen.
She, the other parents, their kids, and the faculty of Loretto High School have known the moment was coming since January, when the school announced it had to shut down.
But there was hope after that, when a group of parents tried to raise money to save Loretto. Their proposal was rejected by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which runs the school.
Now, the girls who were a year or two shy of graduation must find new schools.
"It's just sad," said sophomore Allie Anderson. "I didn't want to leave my friends, and I knew we weren't all going to be together again."
"It's a big loss to Sacramento," said teacher and parent Clarisa Yandolino. "It's a big loss for all of the other elementary schools, where parents were expecting to have Loretto to bring their daughters to."
Despite the harsh reality facing the school, the graduating class of 2009 enjoyed the same spotlight Thursday night as all other graduating classes who had come before: the music, the pomp, the adoration from family. If only they could have enjoyed it without realizing there would be no more.
"Just knowing it's the last one, I think it'll be more emotional for everyone in the audience," Miroglio said.
The school officially shuts down after the last final exam, on Thursday, May 28. Most of the students who've not yet graduated will transfer to the St. Francis or Christian Brothers schools.
News10/KXTV
