The Davis School for Independent Study celebrated the achievements of 24 students who received diplomas on Thursday afternoon at the Davis High School’s Brunelle Performance Hall — and each of the graduates had pursued a different path to graduation day.

Several spoke of coming to DSIS after tiring of the “social drama” and stress in the setting of a large high school, and feeling more comfortable in a school where it was easier to express their individuality. Others came because of major medical issues that made study in a traditional classroom setting difficult, so they’d enrolled at DSIS to keep making progress in school. Others had been attracted to DSIS because the school made it possible for them to devote more of their energy to an academic subject  that fascinates them.

Student speaker Maria Victoria Rojas, who comes from a Chilean background, greeted her fellow graduates in English and her family in Spanish.

“DSIS allowed me time to pursue the visual arts,” she said. While in high school, she has had a self portrait on display at the Crocker Art Museum, in addition to exhibiting works in several Davis locations; she plans to go on to art school. “This school has helped me grow to be an independent woman.”

Hannah Gillis, another student speaker, talked about the problems she’d had in a large school setting with bullying, which led to problems sleeping and failing grades. She said she regained her confidence — and built her grade point average — after switching to DSIS, where the teachers made her “feel comfortable and at home.”

Claire Clark, a student speaker, likewise spoke about having been “distracted by social issues” at a big school, and said “my life changed for the better as soon as I transferred (to DSIS)… Just being in the DSIS library can put you in a good mood.”

And student speaker Shane Nathan talked about standing at “a crossroad where we have to decide between what’s easy and what’s right.” Nathan urged his independent-minded classmates to remember that whatever field of endeavor they pursue, “if you can do it with passion and conviction, you’ll win.”

Justice Harry, described by one of the DSIS teachers as a quiet fellow, couldn’t resist a smile, and said “It’s good to be a graduate.”

Parent John Schultze sat in the audience with daughter Krista (who would graduate from Da Vinci High later in the evening), and watched Krista’s twin sister Jennifer get her DSIS diploma. “I feel blessed,” the happy father said, adding that seeing both daughters in graduation robes was “my greatest day ever.”

Graduate Stephanie Rapaglia Vinas said it felt “surreal” to be on stage receiving a diploma — “I feel like I was in the ninth-grade yesterday.” She’ll soon be off to Abu Dhabi for a month, visiting a friend. Father William Rapaglia said he was “very proud” of his daughter; mother Gloria Vinas likewise said she was “so happy to see her graduate.” Younger brother Michael, a student at Emerson Junior High, admitted that seeing his sister in a cap and gown made him think about the day when he will be a graduate himself.

The Barbara and Foy McNaughton Scholarships went to Lindamarie Wise and Jennifer Schultze ($500 each); the Davis Teachers Association Scholarship went to Lisa Milbrodt ($500), the Davis Waste Removal Scholarship went to Adele Woods ($1,000).

The Davis School for Independent Study (Class of 2013) graduates were Joseph Amato, Claire Clark, Noah Fader, Kora Feder, Johnathan Galli, Hannah Gillis, Justice Harry, Clare Johnston, Caitlin Larimore, William Mielenz, Lisa Milbrodt, Shane Nathan, Sierra Nguyen, Molly Peel, Stephanie Rapaglia Vinas, Elizabeth Ritter, Rosa Rocha, Maria Victoria Rojas, Jennifer Schultze, Shannon Turner, Leah Whitfield, Ryan Wilson, Lindamarie Wise and Adele Woods.

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Justice Harry hugs teacher Lucy Boland. Fred Gladdis/Enterprise photo

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Maria Victoria Rojas leads DSIS graduates to the lobby. Fred Gladdis/Enterprise photo

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