On a warm evening at Paramount High School’s stadium, nearly 100 Odyssey STEM Academy seniors crossed the stage not just as graduates—but as a tightly bonded cohort of scholars, each carrying a four-year story of challenge, growth, and purpose-driven learning.
This was more than a graduation. It was a culmination of a journey that began in ninth grade, when these students first joined their small cohort groups—learning communities that traveled together from classroom to classroom, building trust, accountability, and lifelong friendships. These tight-knit cohorts, supported daily through advisory classes, created the foundation for everything that followed: job readiness, college preparation, and most importantly, personal transformation.
Hosted by Principal Alicia Megofna and her leadership team, the evening highlighted the real magic of Odyssey: knowing students well. That’s not a slogan—it’s the backbone of a model that pairs each student with teachers and advisors who walk alongside them for four full years. Together, they build resumes, prepare for exhibitions of learning (which students deliver at least 12 times before graduation), and reflect on life-changing internship experiences. Every scholar completes four internships, woven directly into the school day, based on their passions and curiosity. These experiences aren’t just academic—they’re deeply personal. Many graduates began their Odyssey journey as unsure freshmen. Now, they leave with college credits, job experience, professional portfolios, and hard-earned confidence. For some, that journey includes completing an associate degree while still in high school. For all, it includes the unwavering support of peers, mentors, and a school community that refuses to let them fall behind.
The celebration featured heartfelt student speeches by Kasey Hammons, Monserrat Duran, Denise Vargas, and Bryan Medrano Villela, each reflecting on the shared journey, the struggles overcome, and the personal growth made possible through their cohort and advisory support. ASB President Monserrat Duran welcomed the crowd, the Paramount High School music director, Angel Carmona conducted “Pomp and Circumstance” processional, the JROTC Pirate Battalion presented the colors, and Nyree Chatman delivered a stirring national anthem. But the emotional core of the event remained centered on the students themselves—their bond, their bravery, and their belief in one another.
Behind the scenes, the event came together through collective effort: Facilities and Operations under Scott Law, technology by Jim Wolff, livestreaming by contracted services, and photography by Sean Torres. Campus security teams from both Odyssey and Paramount High School worked in step to ensure a smooth and safe evening. The Paramount High School band added live music, elevating the celebration.
As the evening came to a close, the graduates didn’t toss caps—but they stood tall, grounded in experience and supported by a community that knows them deeply. They leave not only with diplomas, internships, and college credits, but with something far greater: the lived embodiment of Odyssey’s rallying motto—Strong Heart, Strong Mind, and Strong Will.