Here’s to the ‘comeback kids,’ Henry M. Gunn class of 2024 graduates 

They began high school in bedrooms, libraries or sprawled across dining room tables, listening to their teacher’s voices from computer speakers. Four years later, Henry M. Gunn High School seniors closed their laptops and textbooks to walk the stage, in-person. 

The 2024 graduating class, which Principal Wendy Stratton called the “comeback kids,” graduated Thursday afternoon, May 30. 

As a sea of black caps adorned with jewels and phrases like “this is for you, mom,” stirred with anticipation, Stratton commended the class for its resurgence after losing two in-person years to COVID. 

“We stepped into new organizations with fervor, eager to make up lost time,” she said, referencing a quote from senior Amann Mahajan’s letter from the editor in an edition of The Oracle, Gunn’s student newspaper. “Your determination and passion have not gone unnoticed.” 

The students, she said, have created a blueprint for a more responsive and inclusive community, actively engaging in “Titan town halls,” and advocating for positive changes across campus. 

Three Gunn grads kicked off student speeches with a performance. 

The crowd grew silent after some congratulatory screams, and one student began softly strumming an acoustic guitar. Chloe Chang, Mariam Kubursi and Emily Patterson harmonized, singing “Slipping Through my Fingers,” by ABBA. 

In keeping with the nostalgia-inducing performance, student speaker Chania Rene-Corail recalled how her final bus ticket reminded her of her experience at Gunn. 

She thanked her parents, teachers and most of all, the local bus drivers, who got her to school every day for the past two and half years. For her, Gunn is where she experienced “some of the best parts of her life,” even if they were as small as borrowing pencils from strangers and receiving tutoring from fellow classmates, 

“We have become so jaded by these kind but common acts that we fail to realize something: they help others feel welcome,” Rene-Corail said. “Step by step, bit by bit, we have built the community out of kindness.” 

As the crowd applauded for Rene-Corail, student Angelina Rosh approached the podium and admired the grinning faces in the crowd, which reminded her of her first day of school in the United States. 

Though their backgrounds varied, Rosh said each students’ paths have crossed to define their futures. 

Her own story spans across three continents, connecting her to things like hot bowls of Paella and her “native Indian tongue.” But over the years, she craved conformity seeking to speak English perfectly as her culture slowly slipped from her grasp, she said. 

Her years at Gunn reminded her though, that there is “profound beauty and power,” in admiring the past while embracing the change that comes with growing up. 

“Class of 2024, as we look back at our past together there’s a lot we’re likely to forget, English vocab words, the turning point at HOCO when we tied with the juniors, hallway crushes, bad grades, petty grudges, the list goes on,” Rosh said. 

But these seemingly insignificant memories, she said, have shaped them into the people they are today. 

On the warm afternoon, graduates were decked out in flower leis, specialized sashes and money necklaces. One by one, they approached the stage empty-handed and descended the middle aisle, diploma in hand, as they moved their tassels. 

This version updates to add context and attribution for a quote from Principal Wendy Stratton.

Check out this year’s list of Gunn High School graduates and read our interview with Chania Rene-Corail, one of the graduating seniors.

For all of our graduation coverage, go to our central graduation page.