Page 4 June 1, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Graduation 2017 Story andPhotos by TerriAnn Ferren Graduation ceremonies are all around us in May and June with many students completing a milestone. It is the day family, friends and neighbors celebrate graduates from grammar school to university and beyond. This past month, I asked many Torrance residents which graduation they remembered most. Most people said high school. That response echoes memories of what Torrance High School government teacher and former Torrance City Councilman and Mayor James C. Armstrong told me when he said that most people have a special place in their heart for their high school years. And the high school graduation is most important to most. I remember him telling me that he found it interesting that the four years spent in high school formed and shaped a young adult maybe more than any other four years in their lives. Jim Armstrong died at the age of 73 in 2002, but I will never forget his words about high school. We have many grammar schools and high schools in Torrance, and we also have many homeschoolers. When I was growing up, homeschooling was something I wasn’t familiar with--but today, in this world of opportunity and imagination, homeschooling has gone mainstream. South Bay resident, Clayton Atkinson, Jr. age 17, is graduating from high school this year. “I’m homeschooled. It is [a big deal]. I had a sister go before me and I am the middle child, so it is pretty daunting moving on to the next stage in life,” said Clayton. He told me he will attend El Camino College in the fall, but hasn’t decided on a major as yet. “I want to keep my options open before I commit to anything…do two years, decide what I want to major in, and then go from there,” added Clayton. Sheryl Atkinson, Clayton’s proud mom, told me, “He is a middle child and my ‘apple’ only son. He has worked really hard, played some sports, and loves programming. He has been teaching himself ‘C Sharp.’ I am very proud of Clayton Jr.” Sheryl also told me she has spent the last 12 years homeschooling her son and he is smart, bright and has a wonderful outlook on life. “With his zeal and kindness towards others, his father, Clay Sr., and I are confident that he will find his passion in life,” added Sheryl. Cassandra Atkinson, age 16 and Clayton’s younger sister, told me smiling, “I am excited. I have two siblings before me, so it is a lot to live up to. I am the youngest.” Well, the Claytons obviously will have a wonderful graduation celebration. Clayton was polite, well-mannered, and seemed excited for the next chapter of his young life. I have a feeling when he finds his passion, as his mother Sheryl said, he will wholeheartedly jump into his chosen field. Last weekend, it just so happened while I was attending the graduation of my nephew, David Michael Norton from the University of Notre Dame Du Lac Law School in South Bend, Indiana, that I was surprised to hear the name Michael Albert Mercurio, from Torrance announced. Imagine my surprise as I watched him be “hooded” at the Law School Commencement! Now, I didn’t know Michael before I heard his name read at the graduation, but just knowing he was from Torrance inspired me to cheer for him too! Who would have thought I would travel across the country and also see the conferring of a law degree on a Torrance resident, in addition to witnessing my brilliant nephew graduate? Well, he is! As it turns out, Michael Mercurio will most likely continue practicing litigation and regulatory compliance law in Kentucky, and my nephew David Norton will practice commercial real estate law at Allen Matkins in Orange County after he passes the bar. I asked my nephew why he decided to study law and his answer surprised me: “I got interested in politics and economics after the recession hit around 2007…it seemed most of the interesting questions in those subjects were legal questions. But I was on the fence between law and a PhD in Political Science. I chose law because I felt like attorneys are--for the lack of a better phrase--‘in the game’ whereas academics are more ‘on the sidelines.’” Then I asked him what he plans to do right now and he told me, “I feel like I haven’t fully graduated yet because of the bar exam…there’s so much work ahead. I plan to study the next couple of months and then take a trip afterwards. After the vacation, I’ll return to Allen Matkins and practice commercial real estate law. I haven’t really thought too much further than that.” As I witnessed the law school graduation, which took place over two days and included a Baccalaureate prayer service in the morning and the conferring of the law degrees in the afternoon on one day, and then the main commencement, which included the entire graduating student body, on the next day, it reminded me of my own graduations. My first graduation was from eighth grade and I thought that was pretty special… until my high school graduation, and that topped the first one. My college graduation was memorable and subsequent graduations were important, but didn’t mean as much to me as my high school graduation. With all the pomp and circumstance and gowns and mortarboards, what makes a graduation special? Could it be that the journey we take alongside classmates, combined with common goals and ideals, melt together to make a memory the mind holds throughout our lives? James Armstrong indeed had a point. As your family, neighbors and friends join together for graduation celebrations of all kinds, take a moment and reflect upon your own graduation (or the graduation in the future you still aspire to complete) and relish the accomplishment of a job well-done. Learning takes time, perseverance, dedication and hard work. Congratulations to all the graduates in all grades, from all schools. Well-done, class of 2017! • Cassandra, age 16; Clayton,Jr., age 17; and their mom, Sheryl Atkinson. Michael Mercurio surrounded by his Torrance family. David Michael Norton. alone aloI linve e FREE Saving a life from a potential catastrophe EVERY 10 MINUTES! but I’’I’m m never alone. I have Life Alert.® One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7, can’t • medical • fall • fi re • invasion • CO gas emergencies. For a FREE brochure call: Medical Alert Medical Alert Industry Leader Industry Leader Since 1987 Since 1987 No landline? No problem! SHIPPING! 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