El Nido Elementary School celebrated the graduation of 13 students in the Class of 2010 on Thursday, June 3. The outdoor ceremony was well attended by the community of El Nido. Family and friends stood with pride as the graduates marched to their places on stage to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edgar Elger.</p><p>The Flag Salute was led by graduates Victor Curacy and Cesar Hernandez.</p><p>The students chose a CD by Ceiline Dion for the National Anthem.</p><p>El Nido Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jason Powers led the invocation.</p><p>Graduate Carmen Orozco gave the welcome in English and Benny Bravo followed in Spanish.</p><p>"This is an exciting time in our lives," they said. They thanked those in attendance for sharing the evening with them.</p><p>"Even though our days at El Nido are now coming to an end, we look forward with great excitement to the days ahead," they stated.</p><p>Graduates Genesis Morfin and Benny Bravo read the Class Scripture, Proverbs 24: 5-6, "Being wise is better than being strong; yes knowledge is more important than strength. After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win."</p><p>The Class Poem was recited by Genesis Morfin.</p><p>The El Nido School Staff and the Board of Education were recognized by graduates Damiana Arizmendi and Alfred Rubio.</p><p>"Thank you for your commitment to providing us with an excellent education," Arizmendi told the board in English and Rubio in Spanish.</p><p>Graduates Genesis Morfin and Hugo Pacheco gave the student address. The speech was given in English and in Spanish.</p><p>Student Address</p><p>By Genesis Morfin and Hugo Pacheco</p><p>Hello my name is Genesis Morfin. And Hi, I'm Hugo Pacheco.</p><p>Dream Big...To our fellow classmates of El Nido Class of 2010, we say to you DREAM. "I hope your dreams take you...to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known." Where will your dreams lead you?</p><p>Throughout our years here at El Nido we have had many challenging and fun moments. Looking back now we realize how important and special our time here has been. Over the years our teachers have given us a strong foundation for our future. Each has had a positive affect on us...both in building our academic knowledge and our self-confidence. It's been hard work, but it's been fun too.</p><p>We've visited the zoo, toured the Monterey Bay Aquarium, searched for the very best pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch, had fun at Camp Green Meadows, conducted science experiments, at dinner with a scientist, rode the train to Sacramento and visited the State Capital and railroad museum, had some fun volleyball, football and basketball games. there were also some great cross country and track races along the way. Did I mention the Turkey Trot?</p><p>Student Council made things more interesting. We laughed, danced and received Halloween Grams and Valentine Crushes. Penny wars provided food baskets for our community. We jumped for heart, we learned the Thriller dance, we became producers when we made a commercial for Pearson...a big-time computer software and book publisher. Some of us survived El Nido's first ever mule-drawn wagon trip into the foothills of the Sierras...rain, cold, sleeping in the back of a horse trailer...we came home with a genuine appreciation for the basics we take for granted. You know...toilet paper and a door.</p><p>We went to San Francisco, explored the Exploratorium, experienced the Golden Gate Bridge and saw Fort Point from a distance. We became published authors, had a great time at Lake Yosemite and finally, Great America, here we come.</p><p>It has been an honor to attend school at El Nido. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime. El Nido School is privileged to have a great staff of teachers, administrators, aides, office and cafeteria staff, bus drivers and custodians who work together to provide students with the best education they possible can. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. And to the Board of Education and Parent Teacher Club, thank you for your support. We sincerely appreciate all that you have done for us and we will miss you.