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(Photo Gallery) Arcadia High Graduates 930

The Class of 2012 says goodbye to high school after being recognized for a number of academic awards. Share your photos of the graduation on Patch!

Lynn Huang missed 22 days of the second semester of her junior year to undergo treatment for juvenile ankylosing spondylitis, an especially painful type of arthritis that affects the spine.

Despite it all, the student managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average, become a National Merit finalist and stay involved in numerous activities, including the academic decathlon team.

"It's not what defines me," Huang said of her disease. "I can work just as hard as anyone else, so I don't think this is the first thing people should know about me."

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Huang, who will attend Darthmouth in the fall and plans to become a pediatric rheumatologist, was one of 36 salutatorians honored Friday at during Arcadia's 2012 commencement ceremony.

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The high school sent 930 graduates off into the world, many of whom racked up some impressive honors during their tenure at AHS.

“We have some going to Yale, Harvard, many going to Stanford. It’s an extraordinary class,” outgoing Principal David L. Vannasdall said.  “I don’t believe there is another graduation in a more beautiful venue and in an appropriate setting because as you can see there are eight to 10,000 people. So this is a complete community event.”

Vannasdall, who will be the assistant superintendent of the district next year, said the large crowd is a reflection of what Arcadia is.

“We are a community that people live in for the schools,” he said. “Everyone is here and that’s the way it should be because it takes everyone to help get the kids across the finish line.

Vannasdall addressed the large crowd by pointing out numerous awards the school received in competitions over a wide range of academic subject matters, as well as in arts and athletics.

Michelle Yu Zhang was named valedictorian.

Sheila Lo, another salutatorian, will attend the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

‘It’s surreal that we are finally graduating,” Lo said. “Four years ago it seemed like we would never get here and now we are finally here. We as a class accomplished so much. It has been an honor just standing here amongst my peers (with) all of us walking across stage being recognized.”

The Grad Night event following the graduation ceremony was also held at Santa Anita, in which classmates were able to give one another their final goodbyes. 

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