I'm HOME

[suziebee20]

Had a great time at graduation and grad nite last night! Graduation was a lot of fun, but also took a long time. Grad Nite was great except for the fact I was a bit hungry all night. We left for Grad Nite at 10 PM and got there about midnight. Went on Indiana Jones, Pirates of the carribian, autopia, Honey I Shrunk the Audiance, The Haunted Mansion, and Star Tours. We left the park at 6 and got back around 8. I ate and went to bed when I got home and just now woke up (It's 5:30). I'm so sleepy still. I didn't eat anything all night because I couldn't bring myself to pay almost $7 for a slice of pizza or $2.75 for a small cup of soda or bottle of water. Even a banana was $1.75! Do you know how much that banana probably cost them. I already knew Disney Land was a rip off, but they jack up their special "grad nite" menu even more!

I still had a great time. Havn't gotten my present from mom yet (rumour from my sister is that it's just $500 since I don't like gifts and would rather have case), but grandpa gave me $100.

Thanks for all the congratulations everyone has given me, I am so happy I'm done with school for now until the fall! As long as my financial aid comes through I should be all covered for school next year! :D

[buttrfli]

Welcome home! I am glad you had a great time :D

[suziebee20]

SANTEE – The mother of Bryan Zuckor, one of the students shot to death at Santana High School three years ago, walked with her son's graduating class yesterday and received a diploma on his behalf.

Thousands of parents, relatives and friends of the 383 seniors who graduated stood up and applauded when Bryan's name was called. Michelle Zuckor, dressed in a purple graduation gown, walked to the stage and accepted the diploma.

She did not speak during the ceremony at the school's football stadium. Instead she had asked Santana Principal Gary Schwartzwald to read a speech she had prepared. She congratulated members of the class of 2004 and lamented that Bryan could not be with them.

"I miss everything about Bryan. . . . I wish I were sitting there (with the audience) watching Bryan receiving his diploma," Schwartzwald read from Zuckor's message.

About 5,000 people attended the graduation, which had added significance for everyone who lived through the tragedy March 5, 2001. This was the last class that attended the school when the shooting occurred.

Bryan and fellow student Randy Gordon were fatally shot and 13 others were wounded when a student opened fire. Charles "Andy" Williams is serving a 50-years-to-life sentence in state prison.

Randy's mother accepted his diploma at the 2001 graduation.

Bryan's mother continued that tradition yesterday with help from Santana's staff.

Schwartzwald, who recently completed his first year as principal of the school, set the tone for the ceremony by asking the graduating seniors to reflect on the friendships they made, the lessons they learned during their years at Santana and "the life-changing events that affected your perspective on the world."

"Three years ago we had a tragic shooting here at Santana," Schwartzwald said.

"Two of our students lost their lives that day. Those students were Randy Gordon and Bryan Zuckor.

"If Bryan had lived he would be here, graduating and celebrating with us. Bryan was a fine young man, and we all wish he were here with us today."

Schwartzwald also asked for a moment of silence in memory of Bryan, which lasted about 30 seconds. Earlier yesterday, Michelle Zuckor provided The San Diego Union-Tribune with a longer letter addressed to "Bryan's classmates and friends."

She walked with her son's classmates and sat among them during the ceremony.

A cheer erupted when her son's name was called. It was followed by applause that turned into a standing ovation. After picking up her son's diploma, she walked down the stage and was met by former Santana Principal Karen Degischer. The two hugged. Former Santana Vice Principal Sue Emerson also greeted graduates who were in their first year of high school when she worked there.

"We're here to support the graduates," said Degischer, who was the school's principal when the shooting happened.

The shooting brought the school unwanted attention and placed it on a list of schools across the country that have experienced deadly violence in recent years.

But most of the ceremony yesterday focused on the accomplishments of the class of 2004 and the challenges ahead for the graduates. It was a joyous occasion marked by brief reminders that one of their own could not be there.

"Nobody has forgotten," said Steve Edwards, who came with his family to watch his son, Eric, graduate.

The applause Michelle Zuckor received when she picked up her son's diploma "is a reminder of how much everyone liked Bryan," he said.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040611/images/2004-06-11santana2.jpg
Michelle Zuckor (left) and former Santana High Principal Karen Degischer embraced after graduation yesterday. Zuckor, whose son was killed in the school shooting more than three years ago, wrote a speech for the ceremony.


http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040611/images/santana.jpg

Excerpts from Michelle Zuckor's message to the classmates of her son, Bryan, on the day he would have graduated from Santana High School:

"It took all these years to sort out my feelings and to actually talk about what has been going on in my heart. The drastic changes in our lives. The extreme sadness, which drains all your power and energy. Crying until you have no more tears, but crying anyway beyond that. Wishing that I can wake up from this nightmare and that life would go on the way it should have been. To go places together, to make more memories. To have the everyday, normal problems.

"I miss everything about Bryan. His warm smile, his willing to be with you and to help you. He made you smile. There is nobody like him. The people who knew him or just met him know exactly what I mean.

"I wish I was sitting there watching Bryan receive his diploma. It has been a really sad week. I feel like it is March 5 over again, the emptiness and sadness I feel."

"Bryan loved life so much. He didn't want to leave. He had so much love for me, his sister, brother, and his friends. He was fading in and out that day. He tried to hold on and come back, but he died in the hospital, not at school."

"Bryan loved this school. He was always making new friends. (I told him not to be around the wrong type of friends.) I watched his attitude carefully and if he was influenced in any bad way, I won't let him be around or with a so-called friend.

"Bryan had respect for teachers. (He liked his teachers.) "Bryan respected adults, and he was respectful to me.

"He was caring, . . . unique personality, . . . funny, . . . considerate. . . . He had a big heart, . . . strange, . . . daring, . . . filled with positive energy, . . . smart, and a funny young man who loved life and all the things he can do and all the places he could go.

"Bryan was looking forward to this day. He had so many friends and people who liked him. He loved being with his friends. He always had that warm smile and was always happy to see you."

"I love you Bryan and I'm sorry that you didn't live your dreams and your hopes. His life was not supposed to be over."

[Angel Lips]

welcome home

[ocvachick]

Sounds like a fun time except for those prices! geez!!!

[twinkiesmom]

I remember the day I walked. I cried the whole day. I liked the gifts tho. Remember I got big money. Congrats, Suz!

[bell_peaches]

welcome home glad you had a great time.

[Mystic32]

Welcome home hun...& Congets to you. I`ve got 2 more yrs. & my DS will be graduating. I can`t believe how fast the years have flown by. Good Luck in your future ebdeavors.....Will you be working for the summer or just enjoying it?.......LOL

[Gherky]

Glad you had a great graduation. :)

[DAVESBABYDOLL]

Glad you had fun Suzie!!

How bittersweet,Bryan's mom accepted his diploma,maybe it will be some sort of closure for her.Cute young man,too young to have been taken.

[VALENA-)45]

Congrats, Suzie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Glad you had fun,!!!!

[YYounghouse]

congrats! good luck in college. People that complete a four year degree earn, on average, 75% more in their lifetimes than those who do not. STAY IN SCHOOL.
have fun while you are there, but not too much fun

[hotdoglove]

congrats!