Yesterday was Del Oro’s 64th Graduation, but only my second as principal. For my second commencement address, I chose to tell the story of four graduations. Here’s the bulk of the message:
One of the things that’s really special about Del Oro is how many alumni return—whether to work here, raise their families in the area, or send their own children and even grandchildren to this school. Let’s see something cool… Staff and audience members, if you’re a Del Oro graduate, please stand.
Pretty amazing, right? Go ahead and stay standing for a moment.
Class of 2025—take a look around. The people standing now once sat right where you are. They lived through many of the same experiences: singing the fight song, battling it out for the Spirit Jug during homecoming, and facing their own ups and downs as students here. And now, they’re back to support you—to celebrate your journey and cheer you on as you take your next steps. Take a moment to let this sink in.
Thank you, alumni—you may be seated.
This is Del Oro’s 64th graduation ceremony. That’s a lot of black caps tossed into the air. Out of those 64 graduations, today, I want to share the story of just four of them—four of them that will hopefully give you a glimpse into the impact our graduates have on the world. I’m calling this the story of four graduations. You ready?
The first graduation I want to tell you about is the Class of 1971. Last summer, I was on campus during a swim meet when someone came to find me, saying there was an older gentleman in the parking lot looking for the principal. I went out and met Wolfgang Zehetner, along with his wife and son. Wolfgang was a foreign exchange student from Austria who spent a year at Del Oro and graduated in 1971. After leaving here, he returned to Austria, where he studied architecture. Over the years, he’s become a celebrated architect, currently serving as the master builder for both St. Stephen’s and St. Mary’s Cathedrals in Vienna. He’s also the chairman of the European Association of Cathedral Builders and has served as a key consultant for the restoration of Notre-Dame in Paris.
His son was attending Stanford, and while visiting him, Wolfgang wanted to show his family Del Oro, this place where he had so many fond memories as a student. He spoke with such warmth about his time here, sharing stories and expressing awe over the changes to campus. Before they left, we even taught his family the fight song, and we stood by the tennis courts and sang it together. Black and Gold will always be bold… best in the Golden West, we’ll do our level best… it was glorious.
In this story of four graduations, that’s Graduation #1: The Class of 1971. Wolfgang Zehetner—out there making the world a better place.
Graduation #2, the second graduation I want to tell you about, takes us to the Class of 1997. That’s actually the year I first heard about Del Oro. I was a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo when I met a girl named Morgan Newton in the cafeteria—she had just graduated from here. I fell for her pretty quickly, and later that year, I made my first trip up to Loomis to meet her family. I even got to watch her little sister play basketball in Yokote Gym… and honestly, something about it felt magical.
Fast forward nine years—through grad school, a wedding (Morgan Newton became Morgan Zerwas), a move across the country and back, and a few kids later—and we find ourselves back in Loomis, raising our family. Morgan begins teaching English here at Del Oro, and then, years later, when we open Confluence West, a continuation school right on our campus, Morgan jumps at the chance. She’s passionate about serving students who often need the most love and support, and she’s been doing just that for the past four years at Confluence West.
We hear many stories—inspiring and deeply moving stories—about how students’ lives have been changed because of the care and commitment Morgan brings to her work. Although Confluence West is still relatively young, it has already developed a strong sense of community. Former students return to share their journeys after high school and thank Morgan for the guidance and belief she offered when they needed it most.
That’s Graduation #2: Morgan Newton Zerwas, from the class of 1997, is right here making the world a better place.
Graduation #3 takes us to the Class of 2018. That year, the Osborne twins—Brooke and Kourtney—walked across this very field to get their diplomas. They shared a deep love for music and a strong desire to help others, which led them both to West Texas A&M to pursue degrees in music therapy.
After completing college, graduate programs, certifications, and internships, they’ve returned to the Sacramento area, each working with music therapy organizations, doing incredible, meaningful work. Through music therapy, they are making powerful connections with people from all walks of life: young children, adults battling cancer, individuals struggling with mental health challenges, patients in rehab, and more.
They bring instruments into rooms and see children’s faces light up. They write songs with—and for—those nearing the end of life. One of the most moving stories they shared with me recently was about a family expecting a baby who wouldn’t survive. Brooke recorded the baby’s heartbeat while still in the womb and used that heartbeat to compose a song—a beautiful legacy for that family to hold onto forever.
Today, Brooke and Kourtney are here to cheer on their younger sister, Delaney Osborne, as she graduates. Brooke and Kourtney, thank you for the meaningful work you are doing.
In the story of four graduations, that’s Graduation #3: Brooke and Kourtney Osborne, Class of 2018—making the world a better place.
And now, Graduation #4. That’s today. That’s you. Class of 2025: your story is next. I would like to highlight some similarities that you, the class of 2025, and these other graduates share in common. They walked the same halls, wore that same black and gold on Fridays, and sat on this same field for this significant day. And on the day when they sat here, years ago, they may have also recognized, like many of you do today, the goodness of the knowledge and experiences they had gained throughout their time at DO, the relational connections they had built here, and this hopefulness of the future.
There was certainly also some nostalgia—on this momentous day, there is a lot you leaving behind. Think about this, class of 2025… you will never again have that experience of a quick passing period check-in with a friend or two, and the little dramas or jokes that unfold over these six-minute intervals. You will never again have lunch in that same spot with those same people—whether it’s on a specific bench, a certain section of the quad, or that teacher’s room that has come to feel like your own. You’ll never again have a week full of dress-up days where you are Adam Sandler one day and a senior citizen or soccer mom the next… that kind of experience is hard to recreate in adulthood. Painting parking spots, senior sunrise and sunset, signing yearbooks, senior ditch day… or should I say, that one day when about 300 of you happened to not feel well. You may never again have the experience of seeing your best friends every single day—without planning, without effort, they’re just there. That ease of connection changes after high school. This is the last time that all 4++ of you will be in the same place at the same time, and there’s some nostalgia and maybe some sadness there.
When the graduates I’ve talked about today sat here, they may have had some deeper sadness as well. They, like some of you today, may have been thinking about those who should have been here but aren’t. We’ve got this empty chair in the front row, holding a place for those whose time was cut too short. Maybe it’s a friend, a classmate, a parent, or another relative. While the chair itself is just a symbol—it holds a physical place here—we know that so many of us also hold a place in our hearts for those we deeply miss. Let’s take a moment to pause and consider that place we are holding in our hearts. PAUSE
Here at Del Oro, we often talk about the five character pillars that define who we are and who we are becoming as Golden Eagles: We STRIVE, We INVITE, We RESPECT, We SERVE, and We CELEBRATE
When I think about what it means to STRIVE, I’m not only inspired by those who’ve aced a big test, dominated a class, or won a championship—though let’s give it up for our baseball and softball teams still making a run in the state tournaments! What really stands out to me is how many of you have embraced a mindset that says, “I’m going to grow. I’m going to be just a little better today than I was yesterday… and wait ‘til you see me tomorrow.”
When I think about the pillar of INVITE, I think about how you’ve welcomed others into the Del Oro experience with intention and enthusiasm. You’ve said, “Let’s show up—at club meetings, at rallies, at games, at events. Let’s make this place matter.” And you’ve done it—not just by attending, but by leading, cheering, creating, and building something memorable. You’ve turned everyday moments into something special by inviting others to be part of them.
Next, there’s the pillar of RESPECT. We’ve watched you grow into thoughtful, grounded young adults. You’ve shown it in the small moments—holding a door, offering a genuine hello, choosing kindness when it wasn’t required. You’ve also shown it in the harder moments—owning your mistakes, making things right, and consistently choosing to do better. You’ve set the tone, not just in classrooms, but in the hallways, on the fields, and out in the community. You’ve demonstrated that respect isn’t just about rules—it’s about how we treat one another, carry ourselves, and lift others up along the way.
The pillar, WE SERVE, is one I hear about all the time in the form of stories—quiet moments of generosity and leadership that often go unnoticed. I try to share them when I can, but I have a feeling many in the audience today don’t fully realize just how much you’ve done to serve others.
Let’s paint a picture. Students—please stand and remain standing if any of these apply to you:
- If you’ve tutored fellow Del Oro students or mentored younger kids who will one day sit in these seats—stand up.
- If you’ve been part of a club, sport, or other group that’s taken part in community service—stand up.
- If you’ve completed an internship with a local business or nonprofit—stand up.
- If you’ve helped run a band, cheer, dance, or athletic camp for younger students—stand up.
- If you’ve gone on a service trip through your church or another organization to help others—stand up.
- If you’ve ever stayed after school to help our custodial staff, or joined a campus clean-up effort—stand up.
- And finally, if you’ve been part of any level of a leadership class, helping organize events, rallies, or recognition efforts for your classmates and staff—stand up.
Look around. This is what WE SERVE looks like. Thank you for the countless ways you’ve given your time, energy, and heart to make Del Oro—and the world around you—a better place. You can be seated.
The final pillar is WE CELEBRATE, and if there’s one thing this community knows how to do well—it’s that. Today is about celebration. We’re here to celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and determination you’ve shown over the past four years. But it’s not just about what you’ve already accomplished—it’s about where you’re headed, and the potential that lies ahead.
Think about the story of these four graduations I’m sharing with you today. You’ve got Wolfgang Zehetner, class of ‘71, on the other side of the world, creating beautiful things. You’ve got Morgan Newton Zerwas, class of ‘97, returning to her alma mater, and helping students live beautiful stories. You’ve got Brooke and Kourtney Osborne, class of 2018, returning to work and serve locally, and make beautiful music. And then there’s you all… class of 2025, you are about to embark on 4++ different adventures, making the world more beautiful in 4++ different ways. Your time at Del Oro has set you up well for whatever is next. There are 4++ stories that you will live out, that will be worth celebrating, as each of you will make a real difference in the communities where you live and work and play. I feel so much hope for what the future holds for this group.
While it’s certainly impossible to put a number on this hopefulness, I do want to share some numbers that I think will give you a taste of what this class will be able to do in the world around them.
Listen to this: 117 students in this class have earned the state seal of biliteracy, being certified as bilingual. Stand up if that’s you. On top of that, two students have earned the state seal of civic engagement (this is the first time ever at Del Oro High School). This seal is awarded for dedication to active citizenship, recognizing their commitment to making a positive impact in their community through informed participation, service, and leadership. Great Job, Carter and Claire!
The Class of 2025 has been awarded over $110,000 in local scholarships and more than $2.6 million in college and university scholarships. Again, numbers worth celebrating.
We’re also proud to celebrate your next steps. Many of you have earned spots at nearly every single one of the 23 CSU campuses, all 9 UC schools, and a wide range of private and out-of-state universities. Some of you are headed to trade schools, diving into careers that keep the world running. Others are entering the workforce, ready to contribute right away. And some of you have chosen to serve our country—and for that, we are especially proud.
Students, if you will be joining a branch of the military, please stand so we can recognize and thank you… Audience members, if you have served in the military, we invite you to stand as well. Let’s give a round of applause to all of you—for your service, your courage, and the future you represent. Thank you.
And finally… class of 2025, keep living out these pillars and making the world better. Years from now, when you reflect on the ways you are impacting the world for the better, may you remember your time at Del Oro fondly. May the lessons you learned here and the relationships you built continue to shape you and those around you. And may you, like Wolfgang Zehetner, bring your family here years from now, share stories about your time here back in the 20s, and tell them what it means to sing, “Golden Eagles never give in. Honor and loyalty will win (will win).”
I’m proud of you. Stay Golden, Eagles!
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 