A Grad Ol' Time

Hundreds of Chico State graduates walked in their graduation ceremony at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Business Administration grad Fyisal Al-Mohawes (right) waves to family and friends as hundreds of Chico State graduates walked in their graduation ceremony at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: Oroville Graduation Is A Little Deju'

     Same event, same place, same time, just the next day. Most graduations have some variety to them. A new location at least. But Oroville schools decided to have their graduations be almost exactly the same, just on two different days. Las Plumas High graduated on a Thursday, Oroville High on Friday. I had to rethink my entire plan. The previous day I had shot over 600 photos to were edited to about 130 for an online gallery. The very next day I had to take a totally new set of images with roughly the same amount for an online gallery. It wasn't easy. My only saving grace was really with the balloon display Oroville High school had. Here are the best shots of the night.

Oroville High grads take part in their processional during the graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grad Sarah Lee, 17, takes part in her processional during the graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grads take part in their processional during the graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grads Ashlee Anselmo, 17 (left) is hugged by Will Page, 18 (right) as they prepare to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grad Gary Saetre reaches for balloons as grads take part in their processional during the graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Oroville High grad Tara Aldrich, 18 (left) fixes her cap as she is reflected in the sunglasses of Jarred Bunn, 18 (right) as they prepare to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grad Aryam Garcia, 18 (left) awaits to take part in her graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High grad Alyssa Belser, 18, smiles as she prepares to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Friday, June 11, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: Las Plumas Graduation

Las Plumas high school seniors were allowed to raise their voices to cheers a day earlier than their rival school Oroville High who will graduate the following day. Here are the best 8 shots from the night.

Las Plumas graduates Dana Gilbert (left) fixes the cap of Alisa Martin (right) as they prepare to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduates Candace Alagata, 18 (right) embraces Adam Vann, 18 (left) as they prepare to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduate Marcus J. Render, 18, wore a bow tie as he prepares to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduate LaRoyas Browning, 17, is reflected in the sunglasses of Lucey Robinson, 18, as they make faces to pass the time before they take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduate Maikou Yang, 18, had "LPHS" painted below her eye as she laughs with friends preparing to take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduates Marcus J. Render, 18 (left) and Meghan Radcliff, 18 (center) walk in the processional part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduates Maira Muñoz Carrillo, 18 (left) and Alina Ganceda, 18 (right) cheer on friends as they take part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. The scoreboard had 20-10 under the home/guest scores for the 2010 graduation year. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Las Plumas graduates Cassandra Nix, 17 (left) and Brittinie Outley, 18 (right) walk in the processional part in their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Wishing Willows Grads Well

Willows High school students graduated on what was originally expected to be a rainy night, ended up being quite a comfortable evening. There wasn't much uniqueness to the night, but all were smiles. And so another week of graduations pass and there's just one more week to go.

Willows High School Kalen Souza, 18 (left), wears "2010" glasses as David Mann, 18 (right) looks on as they prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at Willows High Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Willows, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Willows High School graduates line up to walk in the processional for their graduation ceremony at Willows High Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Willows, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Willows High School Dallas Lindsey, 17 (left), has her cap adjusted by Staci Bettencourt, 18 (right) as they prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at Willows High Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Willows, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham Grads Say So Long

Durham High School celebrated its seniors in their graduation ceremony Thursday. The night was given special honor to Claire Granzich who was killed in an ATV accident in 2007. She would have been a senior and graduating with her class had her life not been met with tragedy. The students paid tribute to Granzich by holding roses during the processional. It wasn't a somber mood as the event happened when the class were moving into their sophomore year. But the memories were still very vivid for some. 

Durham student Kohner Vugrenes (right) holds a flower that will honor Claire Graznich who died in 2007, as students prepare for their graduation ceremony at Durham High school on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Durham, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham students Kenji Masuda drops roses to pay tribute to Claire Grzanich who died in 2007 in an ATV accident, during their graduation ceremony at Durham High school on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Durham, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Mr. Martin (left) watches Durham student Valedictorian Sarah Woods (left) and Salutatorian Nikki Pyle (right) speak to graduates in their graduation ceremony at Durham High school on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Durham, Calif. Students had roses as they paid tribute to Claire Grzanich who died in 2007 in an ATV accident. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham student Shawna Hoffman signs a yearbook as she prepares to graduate in their graduation ceremony at Durham High school on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Durham, Calif. Students had roses as they paid tribute to Claire Grzanich who died in 2007 in an ATV accident.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham student Dawn Hulfish, 17 (center) hugs Morgan Maher, 18 (left) as the prepare to graduate in their graduation ceremony at Durham High school on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Durham, Calif. Students had roses as they paid tribute to Claire Grzanich who died in 2007 in an ATV accident. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: Butte's Graduation

Over 1,000 students graduated from Butte College Friday night. Butte has been a huge asset as a community college to the local area. It has even been a launch pad for many of its students. Once thought of as an outlier school for those with lower potential, Butte College has grown and received many impressive reviews. It has become a major decision for students entering into the college arena. It also offers many choices that you can't always get at the state level. The fact that they continue to grow and had over 1,000 students graduating was quite impressive.

Early Childhood Education Crystal Xiong, waves after receiving her diploma with Butte College graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates listen to speakers in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Over 1,000 Butte College students were graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Admin of Justice majors Cameron Turner (left) and Jennifer Tambourine (right) take their seats with Butte College graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates enter their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates enter their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire Technology major, Tevin Roe, looks on before Butte College graduates began their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Social Behavioral Science major, Carrie Goodeill, looks through the fence for family and friends before Butte College graduates began their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: PV Graduation

Pleasant Valley High's graduation was met with wet and cold weather. Rain poured down and there was even a short glimpse of lightning in the sky. I was all prepared to be soaked in the rain, but luckily the skies cleared right before the ceremony started. It was a blessing. I would have loved to shoot a graduation in a downpour, but was very thankful to be dry. Here's the highlights of the night. 

Pleasant Valley graduates are reflected in a puddle on the blacktop as they walk to their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cody Moss, 18 (far right) waves to his family giving them thanks as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cassie Starr, 18, wore star glasses as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Diego Ochoa, 18, prepares with Pleasant Valley graduates to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kiirstyn Williams, 17 (left), Camee Felix, 17 (center) and Kami Denlay, 18 (right) get dressed with ponchos underneath their gowns as Pleasant Valley graduates prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Heather Clark, 18 (left) and Karleigh Berens, 18, (right) gets dressed with ponchos underneath her gowns as Pleasant Valley graduates prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jessica Ly sings "My Dear, My Friend" as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley graduate Julio Zepada (center) embraces faculty Amy Besnard (right) as students celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Graduating Champions

    Champion Christian School celebrated their graduates of 2010 at Neighborhood Church. I attended Champion in Jr. High before going to high school at Pleasant Valley High School. It is always neat to see this graduating class. They classmates are all best friends because they know each other so well. There is generally no more than 20-25 students each year, which is the equivalent of about one SMALL class at the high schools. Always a neat group of kids.

 Jeremiah Gawthrop (left) and Karlee Burns (right) lead Champion Christian graduates to their seats during their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Makenzie Zimmer (left) adjusts the decorative cap of Mary Romero (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alysia Ballantyne (left) is embraced by Kate Lapp (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: CSUC Graduation

Boy, was Saturday busy. What kept me scrambling the most was covering the first of many graduations. I went to the Saturday graduation ceremonies for California State University - Chico and was racing to find something. You never know what to expect at graduations. This particular one was suppose to be hit with rain in the forecast, but was treated to a wonderfully cool and partly cloudy morning. The event was rather mild in activity. I looked for signs of interest, but wasn't very successful.  I took part in finding the happy graduate portrait shots to illustrate the ceremony. One unique thing did happen in the program. An honorary degree given to David C. Favor. Here are the 8 highlights of the graduation. (more grad photos are sure to come).

Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC President Paul Zingg (left) and Bob Linscheid (right) give an honorary degree to David C. Favor (center) as Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eva Butler (left) and Eva Skowronski (right) were among Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students high-five faculty who pass by as they graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Airell Loadholt, 25, looks for family as he sits with Chico State students graduating in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Economics major Travis Thomas, 25, has fellow students reflected in his sunglasses as Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Child Development major Lindsey Tait, 21 (left) has her hat adjusted by Child Development major Jessica Hudson, 21 (right) as they assemble prior to Chico State students graduating in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)