Standing before 400 friends and family members, assembled to congratulate this year's graduating senior class of Alta Vista High School, Jocabed Ceja said she never thought she would make it to that stage.

But Ceja "accomplished the impossible," she said, with the help of teachers and administrators at the alternative high school, who welcomed her back after she had dropped out and encouraged her to graduate.

"When I left Alta Vista last year, I thought I would never come back. I thought I would be another drop out," Ceja said Wednesday. Turning to Principal Bill Pierce, she added, "I would especially like to thank you for giving me a second chance."

Family and friends crowded the Mountain View High School theater on June 3 to watch as 67 seniors of the Alta Vista Class of 2009 walked across the stage. The ceremony kicked off a series of graduations among the local public schools this week.

"This one thing, graduating from high school, will make a difference in your life," Mountain View-Los Altos High School District board president Judy Hannemann told the graduates during the ceremony. "As board members, we know many of you had to overcome daunting obstacles. Take time to cherish this milestone."

The alternative school attracts students who do not do well in the traditional high school setting. Once at the small school, students work more closely with teachers and staff to meet graduation standards. They finish Alta Vista with a California high school diploma.

"Your diploma is going to mean something," Superintendent Barry Groves told the students. "It means you have learned. It means you have met standards."

The ceremony started with a slide show of pictures capturing the year at Alta Vista High School, and then administrators introduced teachers and staff while the graduating class sat behind a screen on stage.

"It takes a village to raise a child, and we have the best village in California," Groves said as he introduced the staff.

After the screen went up, several students spoke about their difficult experiences at the traditional high schools, and how Alta Vista gave them a second chance. One student read poetry from his English class.

"I know I am going to be a better person for the rest of my life," said Vincent Guadagni. "This school gave me something no other school ever has. It gave me hope."

Before the graduates could officially turn their tassels, administrators honored eight students who had received community scholarships. And they surprised several others with scholarships and awards for their achievements at Alta Vista.

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