Fifty-six seniors graduated June 5 from the East Palo Alto Academy, a small public charter high school with strong ties to Stanford and the GSE. Click on the scree below to enjoy a slideshow from the commencement ceremony. (Photos are by Steve Castillo.) The video underneath the photos features a song that was composed and performed by members of the Class of 2014 at the graduation. Scroll down further to see the lyrics. Read more about the graduating class and personalized learning experiences at the school. 

OUR GRADUATION SONG ~ EPAA.2014

An original song performed by seniors from this year’s graduating class at East Palo Alto Academy

Verse 1

We’ve had our ups and downs; we’ve made a few mistakes

We shared some laughs and frowns, got lost along the way

Though days would come and go, regret would sometimes stay

And all we could do was just take it day by day

Bridge 1

At times we didn’t know, if we would ever make it through

But now we’re standing here, in front of all of you

Chorus

Nothing in this world can keep me

From living the life that I have always dreamed

And now we’re here, we’re here to walk the stage

I’m grateful for the things you showed me

You’ve taught me to be the best that I can be

And now it’s time, for me to lead the way

Verse 2

How time went by so fast, so many things have changed

Hoping that it would last, but it just fades away

Oh how we’ve grown, so much we’ve learned along the way

And now we know, to cherish each and every day

Bridge 2

And now I’m holding on, to all the memories, the memories that we’ve made

This chapter’s done, the game is won, we had our fun, and now it’s time to turn the page

(Chorus)

Verse 3

So now let’s celebrate, our graduation day

Cuz after all these years, we now can finally say

Goodbye, farewell, to everyone at EPA

And now it’s time, for us to go our separate ways

Rap

How could I ever forget all the times that we shared on our journey these past four years?

A time in my life that I hold so dear, as I think and reminisce, I hold back the tears

I don’t wanna cry, but I know that time, just can’t be stopped, it must go by

We must grow old, move on in life, and the day must come to an end for night

Otherwise we would never see all the beautiful stars in the sky or get a chance to dream

‘Bout reaching for the stars, following our hearts, ‘til we make those dreams a reality

Listen to me now, you best believe me when I say, that the sun will shine again, and we’ll see another day

One last time, I wanna thank you EPA, for the love and support, that you gave along the way

Yes it hasn't been easy still we put in to be 

Call it what you want better yet how it’s seen, proud graduates pursuing a dream

Hey you! It won’t be easy, “Sio” we are each bestowed with enough to show that for four years of our life we know now no limit

And as we part ways tonight, won’t none of us forget it

Bridge 3

Will the class of 2014, stand up now, stand up and join me

It’s our time, to celebrate, let me hear you scream!

(Chorus x2)