The Class of 2012 at Conejo Valley High School celebrated graduation Thursday afternoon with 53 out of the 77 graduating seniors inattendance.

The ceremony was held on the playfields at the continuation school's Kelly Road campus in NewburyPark.

Principal Martin Manzer commended his students for making it through atoughyear.

"You have overcome personal obstacles that most can only imagine," Manzer told them. "You have persevered and you should be very proud of yourselves. Your success isoursuccess."

Top scholar Daisy Rojas said in her speech that Conejo Valley High School is a specialplace.

"CVHS helped me become an independent person by forcing me to challenge myself. So starting with failure came only success and so it has been with all of us," shesaid.

Student speaker Sarah Dixon said she believed she would never have graduated without the help and support she received at theschool.

"I am so honored to be walking with this class and I am so proud of each and every one of you," Dixonsaid.

"Success is not how high our GPA was or how high our salaries will be in 10 years. Success is knowing we have the power to do anything," she said. "We set our mind to it and worked hard to accomplish ourgoals."

Paul and Patricia Herron said they were elated to see their daughter Jamie, 17, graduate. She plans to attend MoorparkCollege.

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Conejo Valley High graduates celebrate success