Relocated high school students graduate; first lady awards diplomas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Nine high school seniors who relocated from Japan and were in danger of not being eligible to participate in their new school's commencement ceremony joined 27 seniors from Quantico Middle/High School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., for a special Department of Defense Education Activity commencement ceremony June 3.  

Their diplomas were awarded by first lady Michelle Obama.

Sabrina Cavazos and Gabriella Cuebas, students from Robert D. Edgren High School on Misawa Air Base, Japan, were two of the participants in the Quantico commencement ceremony.

"I was extremely excited to see the other seniors who were also evacuated and to hear their stories about their experiences in the states during their last few months of high school," Gabriella said. "We were all warmly welcomed by not only the people who put together the entire ceremony, but also by the Quantico senior class."

"It gave me comfort to know I was being given the chance to walk in a military environment that I enjoyed," Sabrina said. "Military life is all I know and live."

Both girls said changing schools so close to the end of their senior year was tough.

"It was very hard to have to switch schools at that point in the year," Gabriella said. "There was so much that I knew I would be missing including my friends, senior prom, and ultimately graduation. Leaving toward the end of senior year was one of the hardest moves I have had to do."

Sabrina said graduation was a big concern for her as well.

"I had many concerns with graduation," she said. "I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to walk with my class, or worse, not be able to graduate. I was told I would not be able to wear my Edgren (High School) cap and gown, even though I was receiving my (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) diploma. I felt if I couldn't wear my school's cap and gown, I wouldn't be representing Edgren, Misawa (AB), or Japan."

Their concerns about graduation were eased when they were invited to participate in the Quantico ceremony.

"Not having the opportunity to graduate with her class at Robert D. Edgren High School in Misawa has been very difficult for Gabriella," said her mom, Andrea Cuebas. "This offer was her chance to wear her school's colors and graduate with other DODEA seniors."

Although she was surprised by it at first, Gabriella said she was appreciative of all the people who made it possible and the experience was something she would never forget.

"I was so excited," Sabrina said. "I was told that Michelle Obama was going to be our guest speaker and that was also exciting. Not many seniors could say that they were a graduate of a school in Japan and handed their diploma by our first lady."

During the commencement address, Mrs. Obama lauded the graduates' strength, resilience and maturity -- traits they've acquired as military children.

"I think that all of you are incredibly special," Mrs. Obama told the graduates. "You really are the greatest. Your families know that. Our military leaders know that. I know that. My husband knows that. And we want every single American to know it as well.

"We know you're sacrificing," she said, "but yet you're an important part of the greater whole. Service is the air that you breathe. It's how you were raised, and it's the example you're setting for others. You all are an inspiration, you all are role models, not just for other military kids, but for all kids, for all adults, for all Americans who want to see what patriotism and sacrifice and service to country really look like."

Following her commencement address, Mrs. Obama handed each graduate their diploma and gave them a hug.

Although the honor of having the first lady deliver the commencement speech and hand out diplomas was a highlight of the ceremony, Gabriella said the most touching part was watching videos made by friends back in Japan.

Sabrina said the first lady's presence was a highlight for her as well, but there were other aspects that were also meaningful for her. The first was a surprise visit by one of her teachers from Edgren High School who had been deployed to Afghanistan. The other highlight was having her father there to watch her graduate.

"My father was still in Japan and we talked about whether or not he could attend my graduation," Sabrina said. "At the time, only one parent was going to be allowed to attend. Both my mother and I felt it would make more sense for my father to be the attending parent. After all, he is the reason I am a military child. He is the reason I am so fortunate to travel the world in my 17 years of being a military student."

In the end, Sabrina's father and mother were both able to attend. Gabriella's aunt attended to represent the Cuebas family.

"I am very proud of Sabrina," said her mother, Gina Cavazos. "She has accomplished so much in her young life and she is not done yet. Sabrina will continue to grow and will continue to accomplish anything she wants. When she decides what she wants to do, she will do it well."

That same pride was found in the Cuebas family.

"Not only has Gabriella excelled academically, but she has grown into a mature, well-rounded young adult," Mrs. Cuebas said. "I believe the experiences of being a military child have positively shaped Gabriella's character, and we couldn't be more proud of her."

Gabriella plans to attend community college for a year before attending Colorado State University or a university overseas. Sabrina will attend Texas A&M University.