[fire alarm ringing] [sirens wailing] - Dad.

Dad.

Dad.

- My brother says a lot that he wished I wasn't the one who found him originally.

But I was.

[somber music] - Honestly, I don't even wanna cheer anymore because I didn't get into Howard.

Especially after I didn't get into Howard.

- I got into East Bay, Morehouse.

They never sent me any information about, like, if I got in or not.

But I checked, like, my spam and my junk and my regular emails.

I checked all of it.

- We will now be able to start planning for in-person graduation.

- We got the messages.

Everybody was, like, bouncing off the walls.

- They are so excited about graduation.

[laughter] - One thing that was very clear to us this year for graduation was, if the kids didn't graduate, their chances of succeeding in life was significantly reduced.

[pensive piano music] - I think that's the thing that I worry about the most.

Sometimes it's a little bit too late, because the resources might not have been set up in place on time.

And it takes a whole lot of people to get these students where we want them and where they want themselves.

That's why it's so important for us to be here.

If I'm the first to tell you, let me be the first to tell you, you can do it.

- It's been really rough.

And as a counselor, we're hearing all of the things that are happening for our students-- death and tragedy and sadness and depression and anxiety and all of these things-- while recognizing we're still part of this school system that says, like, but you gotta pass your classes.

And so trying to bridge that divide and work with teachers and try to create individual plans, but also recognize their expertise and what they're trying to do for students, it's been a lot.

It's been a lot.

♪ ♪ Emily, I probably know the best.

We check in once a week to kind of just, like, go over what her assignments are.

With things related to mental health, she was just really having a hard time motivating herself.

[computer chimes] - So right now, I'm doing American government and econ.

So I'm doing both technically this semester classes, but I'm doing both of them this semester.

So those are the two that I need to pass so that I can graduate.

- I would say at least 50% of my time right now is doing individual check-ins with kids about their final stuff to pass for graduation.

- Now we're in the homestretch to graduate, to walk the stage.

That's--I feel like that's the main goal right now.

It's coming soon.

[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - ♪ Work all day till my feet get sore ♪ ♪ Keep on working till the whistle blow ♪ ♪ Oh, when the nighttime come ♪ ♪ It's on when the nighttime come ♪ ♪ Wear this mask on my face all day ♪ ♪ Smiling like I'm loving doing what you say ♪ ♪ Oh, till the nighttime come ♪ ♪ It's on when the nighttime come ♪ ♪ Wear this mask on my face all day ♪ ♪ Smiling like I'm loving doing what you say ♪ ♪ Oh, till the nighttime come ♪ ♪ It's on when the nighttime come ♪ ♪ It ain't really over, it has just begun ♪ ♪ We going to be all right when the nighttime come ♪ ♪ Tired of trying to figure what I might become ♪ ♪ I just want to sing my song when the nighttime come ♪ [school bell rings] [birds chirping] [computer chimes] - All right, so let's just go down the line.

Because you have a lot-- you have at least one, two, three, four-- - Forget all that.

That's not what matters, you know.

- Yes, it is.

Five, six schools at least that you got acceptance to.

- They weren't the big one that we were all sitting here and waiting for.

- At a certain point, we still gotta look forward and figure out where we gonna be.

- Mr. Cam, he has a comeback to, like, everything.

He's definitely also a support.

Like, oh, keep your head up.

No.

That's just, like--like why I didn't get into UCs.

He's like, okay, but how many other schools did you get into, though?

And when I didn't get to Howard-- but you got into all these other schools.

And I'm trying to help him understand those other schools are not Howard.

That's not where I want to go.

I don't know where I'm gonna go.

Because I just wanna-- - That's okay.

That's okay.

We don't have to know right this second.

You have to make the decision by May 1st.

- That's for all schools?

- Mm-hmm.

Go ahead and look at that calendar.

- No, it's not.

That's--okay.

- When is May 1st?

- Too many weeks and not enough time.

- Two weeks.

[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ I've been to the barbershop once since the pandemic started, so I'm definitely planning on taking it down, get a nice taper, and hopefully start going out again.

Vaccinated, all that kind of stuff.

[soft music] - This is the moment that we've all been waiting for since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

- We have seen a substantial reduction in the spread of COVID-19.

- More schools across the country are starting to reopen.

- 38 states have eased restrictions.

- Some people wanna go back.

Some people don't.

But me, personally, I wanna go back.

- The number of new coronavirus cases is dropping, prompting more states to lift all COVID restrictions.

- The vaccine efficacy gives us hope.

- The U.S. last week reported the lowest COVID-19 tally since the onset of the pandemic.

- There's gonna be enough of a drop of COVID cases and more vaccines.

It would be okay to attend classes in person.

- Capacity limits are gone, even in malls, movie theaters, sports, and entertainment venues.

- Health care workers continue to remind people that the pandemic isn't over.

- Looking back, wow, like, this was my high school experience.

- It kind of gives people, like, an opportunity to, like, be optimistic.

Okay, yeah, like, life is good.

- No more indoor, outdoor mask restrictions if you've been fully vaccinated.

♪ ♪ - I was watching this video on, like, TikTok, and it was showing us how small we are.

Like, it was showing us the world, and then it was, like, Neptune and then Mars and then the Sun, the Milky Way.

And then it showed, like, more universes, and then it just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

And just--then it showed, like, planets you don't even know about.

It was just showing us how small we are, and it was like, dang, like, I don't know.

It's a lot.

So many things that, like, blow your mind.

- With the rolling out of these vaccines, I think, hopefully, you know, we'll be in a better place by summer, by June.

- You just want that high bald taper like last time?

- Yeah, yeah.

The usual, yeah, yeah.

- All right, for sure.

- Grad school.

Finally figured out where I'm going next year.

- UC Riverside.

- Thank you, bro.

- Yeah, full ride, for sure.

Whenever you getting paid, invest in yourself, right?

- Bro, years, bro.

It was--it probably was middle school last time it was--it was this long.

- Yeah, this is a lot.

Yeah, a good time to cut it.

- That's what's up.

Do your other clients get hair in they mask?

- Most of them don't wear it, like.

- Oh, for real?

I can take it off?

- Okay.

For sure.

[buzzing] It's hella funny.

You know, I've been doing Zoom with the students all year.

But I went to the football game, and it was like, oh, I didn't recognize you with the long hair.

I'm like, y'all--y'all seen me on Zoom with the long hair the whole time.

But it's because, you know, in person, they recognize me having the short hair, so.

- Yeah, exactly.

Whoo!

Appreciate you, bro.

- Sure, bro.

- Yes, sir.

- Have a good one, man.

[quirky music] ♪ ♪ - Students go to the grassy area.

- This is not a safe route.

That is your bag.

Come on, Kady.

- [laughing] Oh, my God.

Y'all help me like I'm just old.

- You are old.

- Can we start moving in?

We're gonna try to be a single file-- - No.

Oh, I can't be doing this walking.

- Good afternoon.

Let's give these students a huge round of applause.

Congratulations.

Huge one.

[applause] All right.

The Janet Romo/ Mno Grant Scholarship.

- The first one goes to Javonte Sellers.

- Go, Javonte.

[applause] - Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

- To present our Deer Valley Counselors Scholarship is Ms. Emily Woodall.

- I am very proud to present the counseling scholarship this year.

We have two amazing recipients, both of whom have been part of our college access program.

So our first scholarship tonight goes to Ebei Oiyemhonlan.

- Okay, Ebei!

[cheers and applause] - Our second award recipient, Kadynce Betancourt.

- Whoo!

- I was really proud of myself for that.

But next week's May 1st.

It's National College Decision Day.

So I need to make my choice.

- Whoo!

- I walk around just with a feeling of uncertainty.

Last night, my mind was just all over the place.

I had a couple breakdowns.

This all could be avoided if only Howard would have accepted me.

You know, if Howard would have accepted me, I just would have been set in stone, no kind of doubts.

But it didn't happen.

I started having second thoughts.

But if I don't go to college, then what will I do?

Still be here?

- The Ann Adele and Randy Fontana Memorial Scholarship to Raven Ybona... [applause] Who is not here.

- My dad passed away.

And, you know, it took a real big toll on us and our family because, you know, we're all really close.

I mean, even though my parents, they were separated, you know, they were--we were all still, you know, a family.

Family is everything to us over here.

You know, my parents made sure I took care of my younger siblings.

And now I have kids.

So I look at Raven, I look at AJ as, you know, the same way, you know, to take care of-- of my kids.

We all kind of take care of each other.

- Back in the Philippines, we have, like, a tradition.

They saying that when he died, they said-- they said they experienced around here, you know.

And then on the 40 days, they said that they're gonna go up, you know, saying goodbye.

So we did the mass, and we say goodbye, you know, totally goodbye.

- Thank you, God, for this food.

Thank you for waking us up this morning.

Thank you for our dad, who passed away.

We love you.

In the name of the Lord, amen.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

- Amen.

- Today, we're doing a kamayan feast, which is a traditional Filipino meal where we eat with your hands, which is what kamayan means, to eat with your hands.

- This also goes by another name--boodle fight-- where soldiers, like, they would just place food on a table with banana leaves.

And it was, like, first come, first serve.

So then, like, the soldiers fought over the food.

So that's where, like, the "fight" comes from in "boodle fight."

[indistinct chatter] [laughter] - He did his research.

[laughter] - Thanks for being able to ask Googles.

- She's going for it.

- The dad is very proud of him too.

Very proud of him.

He's telling to everyone.

But, unfortunately, you know, he's not gonna see him doing that.

But he knows.

- Are you scared?

- I'm kind of anxious but, like, excite--like, excited at the same time.

- What happened with your financial aid?

- Well, on the website, it says, like, offered and accepted.

And all, like, the financial aid I got with the Cal Grant and, like, the-- I got the Pell Grant already.

- How much do we have to pay out of pocket?

- I believe, like, maybe 10K.

- 10K?

- I think so.

- Oh, you still have to pay out of pocket?

- Like, my family, we're not, like, the richest out there.

So we don't really have, like, a good method to pay for it all.

But I'm still trying to, like-- I'm still applying to more scholarships, trying to get more money, as much as I can.

I still wanna go to UC Santa Cruz, but I imagine if we don't have the money to really pay for it, then maybe I would be attending, like, community college or something else.

- She's basically asking-- - The kids going to the college is a lot of money, you know.

Estimates, like, 38,000-plus.

And then I think the scholar is gonna get everything.

It's, like, 24,000.

So we still need out of the pocket for 10,000.

Hopefully--and we're praying that everything's gonna be okay.

- Have you decided what your major is?

- Mm-hmm.

I wanna do something in the medical field, not necessarily, like, a nurse.

- Medical field.

- I could not see him as a nurse.

- I'd be a nurse.

I'd be moonwalking down those clean hallways.

[laughter] - You know what Sheila said she wants to be?

She wants to be an illustrator for Disney.

- Wow.

- I make nurse money.

[laughter] It took me a couple years, but I make nurse money.

- You're not even a nurse.

- I am a nurse.

- You're not.

- What do you do-- - I nurse machines back to health when they break.

That's what I do.

I'm a fixer.

One of y'all gonna be a nurse.

[laughter] One of y'all gonna be a nurse.

- No, I'm not.

[computer chimes] - Mr. Cam.

- What's going on with you?

- I've been doing good, you know.

It's been some up and downs, but overall, I feel like everything has been working out.

- Are you doing the graduation path for, like, the adjusted graduation?

- Yeah.

So, yeah, me and Ms. Woodall talked, along with, like, my school therapist, and, like, we came up with a school plan so that I could graduate.

- How's that been going?

- It's been going good.

Like, I've been feeling, like, less pressure than I felt, like, all year, so.

- That's good, though, because I know the pressure has been a lot for you.

And I know that's kind of, like, you know, been part of the biggest issue.

So I'm really glad that you don't feel as much anymore.

- I think you were the first person that, like, I really told.

Like, you were the one that, like, helped me kind of get help.

We've been through it together.

Like, I feel like if I wouldn't have talked to you, I don't know where, like, I would have been right now.

And you were the one that I didn't wanna disappoint.

Because I joined your program to, like, get into these schools that I told you were my dream schools.

And, like, obviously that changed.

Everything happens for a reason.

And at the end of the day, I'm still gonna do what we had set our goal, was to just graduate.

- I'm happy to have helped in whatever way I did.

But please remember, this is, like-- this is you at the end of the day.

Like, you are strong enough to get through what you've gotten through.

You know what I'm saying?

Like, you persevered through that.

- At one point, like, I didn't even feel like I was gonna graduate, let alone even have an in-person graduation, too, so.

I haven't seen my class in, like, over a year.

- Honestly, you saying that just gave me the chills.

Like, you've had a lot-- you've had a high school career, for sure.

I'm super excited.

I mean, I will be at graduation, so I'll try to make sure we find each other.

Congratulations again.

- Thank you, Mr. Cam.

- You're welcome.

All right.

I will talk to you hopefully then.

- Okay, bye.

- All right, bye.

- Bye.

[soft music] ♪ ♪ - Emily!

- Hello.

- Thank you.

I love you.

- I'm gonna pick up my cap and gown May 17th, I think.

So--I don't know what I would wanna put, like, on my cap.

Maybe some butterflies.

- You prefer a steak or liver?

- Mom, steak.

[indistinct chatter] - Becoming this person that I am now, I feel like I came out of my shell.

I'm this different person than I was, like, a couple years ago.

It says a butterfly is proof that beauty can emerge from something completely falling apart.

- I like that one.

- That's why with my cap, I just wanted to show that, like, it may have been a struggle to get here, but at the end of the day, just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, she became a butterfly.

- Hey, dinner's ready.

It's ready.

[indistinct chatter] - Here, I'll take one.

- I know, nobody like liver.

[laughter] [birds chirping] [wind chimes tinkling] [computer chimes] - So tell me what's going on with this decision for Santa Cruz.

- Felt like I didn't get, like, as much as I thought I would.

Especially when I log into, like, FAFSA and I check, like, how much I'm supposed to get.

It says like, oh, we don't have, like, any records of you or something like that.

- Okay, why don't you pull that up so we can take a look?

- Yeah, yeah, I can turn on my camera and show you.

Uh... - Okay.

- Oh, wait.

So this is saying-- like, it says, estimated financial aid budget, which is $38,037.

Then it says, expected family contribution is $565.

So...

I just got-- I just found--I don't know.

- Oh, no, no, that-- that's a good thing.

So everything that's in that offer category is what you're being offered.

- Wait.

Is that real?

[chuckles] - You got more money than you thought?

[laughs] - Yeah, yeah, for sure.

What the heck?

So it's almost a full ride?

What the heck?

Yeah, I didn't know that.

[chuckles] Hold on, wait.

[sentimental music] Ma, come outside real quick.

- Huh?

- Nah, I just need to show you something on the computer.

Okay, see, Ma, look.

So, look, this is the financial aid summary.

It says if you submit a FAFSA, the following's a calculation of your estimated financial need.

- Mm-hmm.

- So financial aid budget is $38,037.

Expected family contribution is 565.

That's how much we have to pay.

- 500?

- 500.

- Not 5,000?

- No.

- Yeah?

- You wanna look at it again?

- [chuckles] I think it's, like, 5,000.

- 5-6-5.

- Oh.

- I didn't know that this is all we had to pay.

I thought we had to pay, like, a lot more.

- Yeah.

Gimme five.

- High-five.

[laughter] That was bad.

Retry, retry, retry.

There you go.

- That's good.

- Thanks, Dad.

- Honey.

They're really guiding us.

So for sure?

- For sure.

- You're gonna be there.

- Yeah.

- Uh-huh.

Okay.

Give me hugs.

[chuckles] - All right.

[chuckles] - We did it.

We did it.

We did it.

- First one to UC.

- You did it.

Yeah, I know.

♪ ♪ - Seniors, do you know your post-high school plans?

If not, then I encourage you to join the Deer Valley High School Decision Day 2021 event on May 3rd.

This is a virtual event and celebration for seniors who are making their post-high school decisions.

- Traditionally held on May 1st, Decision Day is the deadline when incoming freshmen have to decide which college to attend in the fall.

[upbeat music] - Hey, everyone.

Welcome to College Signing Day.

I am thrilled to join you by video today to celebrate the commitment you all have made to continue your education past high school.

- ♪ I'm way too hype, I'm way too nice ♪ ♪ If you came to battle then it ain't your night ♪ ♪ Girlies in the party dippin' that body ♪ ♪ Can I come kick it like Mr. Miyagi?

♪ - Hello, everyone.

Welcome, welcome.

Welcome, Principal Bukky.

We got some admin in the building as well.

I'm happy y'all are here.

This is our College Decision Day.

So it's a celebration, y'all.

All right, so the first part of our agenda is our baby game.

And there is our list of seniors we will be guessing from.

Very first.

Who is this?

Yes.

17 people got it correct.

That is Ebei.

- Okay, so next year, I will be attending San Jose State.

[applause] - Yay.

Congratulations.

- Thank you.

One piece of advice, I would definitely recommend for people to apply early decision.

It might be a little bit more pressure, but, you know, your chances of getting in will be a lot better than if you apply regular decision.

- Great piece of advice.

Thank you, Ebei.

Thank you, thank you.

Next caption is, who was fitted in the USPA?

Yes, y'all got it right that time.

Sellers, Javonte, tell us what you doing next year.

- I'll be going to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

- Wow.

That's changed from the last time we talked.

All right, all right.

Congratulations, Javonte.

Super happy for you.

- I heard back from every school except them.

So I heard back from all my state schools.

Then I heard back from the other HBCUs that I applied to.

And I haven't heard back from them, so I called.

And then the lady was like, we emailed you on February and in April.

And I was like, I didn't get neither of those.

And then she resent the email, and then it said, um, I got in.

- Piece of advice for us, for us in the underclassmen.

- I would say to try your hardest not to get stressed out, 'cause I feel-- like, everyone around you is gonna tell you what they think is best for you, but end of the day, you have to make a decision for yourself.

- Absolutely.

I--I 100% agree with that.

Thank you, Javonte.

And congratulations as well.

- Thank you.

- The caption is, "I mean, look at that smile."

Look at that smile.

Adorable.

Who is that?

Who is that?

Yes, Kadynce.

[cheering sound effect] - So as far as what's going on next year, still deciding.

- Mm-kay.

- Advice for the underclassmen, if--when you get to this point where you wanna decide what school you wanna go to and all of that, at the end of the day, it's your decision and it's your life that you're living.

So whatever makes you happy, go for it.

- Absolutely.

Thanks, Kadynce and that beautiful smile.

But we're gonna go to Raven next.

What's going on next year for you?

- I'm gonna be attending, uh, UC Santa Cruz.

And currently, I'm undeclared.

- Okay.

All right.

Congratulations, Raven.

Congratulations on UC Santa Cruz.

Big shout out to you.

Thank you.

And I actually do have an announcement as well.

I guess this is maybe a good time to announce it too.

But next year, I'll actually be going off to UC Riverside and participating in a doctoral program there.

And I appreciate all of y'all for making this a great two years for me.

[whispering] Okay.

Whoo!

All right.

That was our--that was our show for today.

Congratulations to everyone for just getting through this year.

It's been a crazy year.

And I'm very happy and excited to see where my underclassmen go next.

Um, I'll still be here for the rest of the month.

So, like, you know, still reach out, you know what I'm saying?

I'm still here.

So still ask me questions and all that good stuff.

- Are you attending graduation, at least?

- Oh, yeah, I'll be at graduation, for sure.

- Okay, well, that's when I can cry and say goodbye.

- Yes, we can cry at graduation.

Y'all almost caught me today.

Um-- - [laughs] - [chuckles] But, yes.

So unless anybody has anything else to say, congratulations.

I'll see y'all soon.

- Yay, everyone.

Congratulations.

[computer chimes] [laughter] - I don't wanna eat.

- It's good, though.

[chuckles] - I don't think she stepped in the dip.

- I didn't-- - She definitely did.

- No, I didn't.

Can I have a watermelon?

- How much is yours?

- Dude, hers is good.

Hers is, like, 12,000 for four years.

- Yeah, 'cause I-- - Isn't that hella good?

- I got--it had, like, a projection thing, and it said that it covers, like, 16,000.

I have to just pay 12,000.

How much are you gonna have to pay for yours?

- Like, $50,000.

- 50,000?

You're going where?

- Morehouse in Atlanta.

- Where's that?

- Atlanta, Georgia.

- It's a H-- - Where is that?

- It's a HBCU.

- For college.

- I thought you were going to Cal State East Bay.

- Mm-mm.

- Changed my mind.

- Really?

- Yeah.

- If you would've asked me a couple weeks ago, I would've been like, I'm stressed out.

But now I'm actually really excited.

I feel like I wouldn't be able to live my life happy and be true to myself if I would have stayed here.

- Is your family helping you pay?

- No.

They ain't got no money.

Not to be rude.

Not to be rude, they don't have no money.

But that's fine.

- All the college acceptance stuff is really confusing.

- Mikayla's going to Clark.

Clark is, like, basically boys and girls.

And then Morehouse is boys.

And then Spelman's girls.

- [chuckles] You're going to an all-boys school?

- Yeah.

- Oh.

- Really?

Oh.

[laughter] - So happy for you.

- That's what I said.

- Dude, tell them about your dream that you had.

- I was thinking-- I was imagining me at the airport and, like, my family and friends, like, hugging me, 'cause I was going to college, and, like, a vivid picture of me just, like, walking away with, like, a backpack and a suitcase.

And I was, like, walking away.

But it was, like, everyone was looking at me, but I'm just walking by myself.

And I got on the airplane, and I, like-- and I st-- - Symbolism.

- So I just started crying.

- He started crying in the kitchen while he was cleaning.

- Aw!

- 'Cause I was sad.

I'm, like, sad.

I gotta go by myself.

That was the thing.

[computer chimes] - So what's going on?

It's been a minute.

How you doing?

- I'm doing good.

- How you feel about the whole school situation and just how the year went?

- Uh, that's a great question.

I mean, like, the way school ended and, like, how it went from, like, when we stopped school to now, it's just, like, it's unfortunate.

- I wanted so much time with Ahmad.

I did.

And I think--I think he wanted time with me too.

Um, and this is, again, the challenges of not being able to see each other every day.

So what you gonna do next?

I mean, what's the plan?

- I'm either going to Chabot or I'm going to Merritt.

- Okay.

- For junior college.

- That's what's up.

That's what's up.

I like to see that.

It was tough to hear that he may not be able to go to a university next year.

And I think that gets a lot of people down.

And I hope it doesn't get him down.

Just remember that at the end of the day, you got a lot more life to live and you got a lot more opportunity.

So keep grinding in it in every area of your life.

'Cause I know you're a great person.

I know your mom got high expectations for you, because I done had conversations with her.

And you know I got high expectations.

- She has high expec--like-- - Exactly.

Do you have those expectations for yourself?

- Yeah, I do.

- Good.

You should.

Everything that we go through, every lesson, every battle, every challenge, we go through it.

And 20 years from now, you're gonna tell it to your kids.

And you're gonna tell them how you overcame something.

And that's gonna be a part of your life.

It's gonna be a part of your autobiography one day.

What you looking forward to?

- I'm ready to graduate.

I just feel like it's a big accomplishment.

Like-- - It is.

Congratulations, man.

You know, it's a chapter closing, and it's a chapter opening, in so many more ways than one.

[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - Okay, so there's only two of these, right?

- Um, I guess.

- Is there more of these?

- Um, I don't think so.

That's all-- - Did you ask him if there's any other sizes available?

- I have to do something as spirit commissioner, you know, go out with a bang.

We have senior sendoff.

I have a senior spirit week that I'm putting together.

I feel like if we were in school, there would be more.

But it's okay.

We'll take what we can get.

- ♪ Yeah, livin' life to the fullest, I'm a glutton ♪ ♪ It's the purest form in the flesh of the coolest ♪ ♪ One, two, one, two, this the twist ♪ ♪ Without me, the party just don't exist ♪ ♪ No emcee put it down like this ♪ - Hey!

- Hello.

- Hello.

- I'm good.

- What's your last name, honey?

- Sellers.

- Sellers?

You excited?

- Yeah.

- You got your sign and everything yet?

- Yeah.

The yard sign?

- Yeah.

Yeah.

- Yeah, I already got that.

- Okay, I'll go grab your-- - Thank you.

Thank you.

- All right.

Congratulations.

We'll see you in a couple weeks for classes.

- Okay.

Thank you.

Bye.

Oh, this is so adorable.

[cheering] - Congratulations!

[laughter] - Oh, for real?

- Well, it's a celebration.

- Yeah.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you.

Thank you.

- Hello.

- Hello there.

Hello.

- How you doing?

- I'm good.

How are you?

- I'm good.

Need a cap and gown?

- Yes.

- Okay.

I'll be right back, okay?

- [laughs] - All right, congratulations.

- Thank you.

- All right, have a great day, guys.

- You too.

[laid-back music] ♪ ♪ - My mom, she likes arts and crafts, so she wanted to decorate the car with, like, blue and yellow for UC Santa Cruz.

- Congrats.

[car horn honking] - Congratulations!

both: Thank you.

[computer chimes] - Kadynce.

- Hey, Mr. Cam.

- Kadynce, you're my last ever one-on-one official-- - I know.

We gotta end it with the best, the favorite, all of that.

- [laughs] Sill haven't heard anything back from Spelman, sadly.

Uh, what's the deadline?

'Cause I know you still have to accept financial aid packets.

'Cause I don't think we accepted the financial aid package.

- I would do it now, 'cause it's not gonna hurt you.

Because you also have to realize, Kadynce, like, when this is over, even if you went to LMC, you gotta transfer in two years.

Then you gotta go through the whole process again.

- Yeah.

- And if you're doing that, and if you wanna go to LMC in order to go to a school that you really wanna go to, that's one thing.

If you're gonna go to LMC because you're... afraid of going to a university just in general... - Wow.

- That's very different, and that's not a reason to go.

- [sighs] I don't know.

- I know you don't.

Because she didn't get into Spelman, she didn't get into Howard, she has consistently been hesitant and indecisive, um, I think out of, what if I don't like it?

What if I'm not good enough?

What if I don't make it?

And it's constantly been, um, me just, you know, validating her that she's made it this far and that she can do it.

- Our last meeting, Mr. Cam.

How's that feel?

- Um, I would say I'm sad, but I'm not.

Because I'll see y'all at graduation.

- Okay.

Good save.

Good save.

- Yeah.

- Okay, Mr. Cam, see you next time.

- Bye, Kadynce.

Thanks for being my last-- thank you for being my last student.

I appreciate you.

- Yeah, what a wonderful way to end this job.

- Most definitely.

[hopeful music] ♪ ♪ - It says, this one's for you, Mom, with the best seat in the house.

- Nobody expected us to be able to have in-person graduation.

And it was probably the first time most of us had had that many people around us and that many students around us.

And for that one time, the first time to be the graduation I think just summed up all the emotions.

It just brought all the feelings from all throughout the year into one--this one space, for a lot of people.

So, yeah, I didn't expect it, but, yeah, it was--it was great.

Good morning parents, staff, and the graduating class of 2021.

Today, I stand before you as a proud principal of Deer Valley High School to celebrate the end of a journey and the beginning of another one with you.

Please remember where you came from.

Don't forget those who poured into you and those who got you here.

Go out, shine, and make us proud.

Best wishes in your future.

And congratulations again to the class of 2021.

[cheers and applause] - We will now have the presentation of diplomas.

♪ ♪ - Ebeidebheki Oseiwe Oiyemhonlan.

[cheering] - Kadynce Amaya Betancourt.

- Come on, Kadynce!

[cheering] - Emily Huizar.

[cheering] ♪ ♪ - Javonte Leeandre Sellers.

[air horn blares] - Ahmad Woodard.

[cheering] - Raven Amah Oreta Ybona.

[cheering] - Will the class of 2021 please rise?

Congratulations, graduates.

[air horn blares] [cheers and applause] [air horn blares] Class of 2021, please turn your tassel.

[cheering] [air horn blares] ♪ ♪ [air horn blaring] - They have made it through.

I think we graduated almost all of our 420 graduates.

And I am so proud of them.

I am so proud for what they've achieved this year.

If the kids going through this year and a half made it through fine, they can make it through anything.

[uplifting music] ♪ ♪ - I've been trying to get a picture of all y'all.

- Oh, my God, Mr. Cam!

- You did it.

You did it.

Congrats, girl.

- Thank you.

- Ebei, I think, is going to be a world-class person.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

- I loved our conversations.

She's disciplined, she's focused, as you can see with the rest of her life when it comes to sports, when it comes to involvement with everything.

So I have no doubt she's gonna be--she's gonna be great.

You're gonna recognize her name when you see it.

I wanna get a picture with you and Kadynce before you're done, all right?

- Uh, Kadynce is, like, over there somewhere.

- Okay.

All right.

- All right, I'll come find you guys.

- All right.

Emily, you almost made me cry.

- Oh, my God, I started crying.

- You're--you're-- you almost made me cry.

- Oh, my God, no.

- You made it.

You made it.

Emily, for her, I know that she's gonna succeed wherever she chooses to go and whatever she chooses to do after this.

The fact that she's here is--is everything.

You have my number.

So anytime, just hit me up, all right?

- Yeah.

Good luck in your-- - Good luck to you.

- Good luck in your schooling too.

- Thank you.

You got it.

Congrats.

I'm proud of you.

- Thank you.

- You made it.

- Yeah.

- Oh, snap!

Hi, Mr. Cam.

- Oh, my God, you're making me cry, girl.

- I know you're not crying.

I just know you're not crying.

- I'm crying.

I'm crying.

- I just know you're not crying.

- Oh!

I'm crying.

Kadynce, she's more than capable.

That's something that she has to still see.

But once she unlocks it, she's gonna do amazing things.

- Oh, what's up, Javonte?

- Aw, man.

- Whatever.

- Are you crying?

- No?

- He is.

- Yes, you--why is he crying?

- I don't know.

- Javonte is a very independent person.

And I think that's gonna take him a long way.

I think he'll thrive at Morehouse.

Okay.

Shake it off.

Shake it off.

Shake it off.

- Get it together.

- You made it, girl.

- Yeah, of course I was gonna make it, Mr. Cam.

- I knew you was gonna make it, but dang... - Don't doubt me.

Don't doubt me.

- It was a long road.

- Ooh, it was a long road, for sure.

- Aw, man.

- I made it, though.

- Congrats, big man.

How you feel?

I really want him to follow that dream that he wants and understand even if the dream and the best thing that could happen doesn't happen, to still get something out of it.

- Congrats!

[laughs] - Don't be crying again, Mr. Cam.

- I'm not.

- You was crying?

- I was--they had me crying.

They had me crying.

- He's right there.

He's right there.

AJ!

- My son, I love you.

- You did it, AJ.

- Here.

Here, here, here.

- How does it feel?

- What is it?

Oh, it's exciting.

- Dang.

- Yeah.

I got the gold merit too.

- Congratulations.

- Yay.

- You know, everything that he's been through this year with his family, I think Raven showed me just how much our students go through and how strong they are.

They impact us every day.

I think Raven impacted me more than he probably knows.

- Hey, Mr. Cam.

- I'm Raven's brother.

- Oh.

- Me and my mom, we wanna thank you for helping him out, you know?

- No worries.

No worries.

- He's had a rough year, and he said he really likes you.

And he was like, our counselor's helping us out.

And I just wanna thank you.

- He's--he's amazing.

So I wouldn't do it unless he was amazing, so.

- Thanks, bro.

Yeah, nah, I saw the-- I saw the microphone, I said, I think that's the counselor.

- [laughs] - We should go thank him.

- No.

No worries, man.

Congratulations to y'all.

This is--this is y'all, too, right?

- Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

- It's a village.

It takes a village.

[car horn honking] - Now we're off to college, bro.

- I know.

I'm excited for him.

- Yeah.

- Congratulations again, man.

Big things.

- That's right.

- Well, thanks again, bro.

- Yeah.

Of course.

- Thank you so much.

- You're welcome.

Congratulations, y'all.

- Have a great summer, man.

♪ ♪ [upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - Hey.

Congrats.

- If I'm being honest, it hasn't really hit me that I graduated yet-- graduated with honors.

With honors, with honors, okay?

So...[chuckles] - It's Kadynce and her mom.

And they were able to crop her mom in here.

And they look just so much alike.

I just think that's so beautiful.

So even though she can't be here, she's here in spirit, which is--which is so awesome.

- Oh, stay over here.

- So what that is?

I'm supposed to sign it?

- Yeah.

Sign one of them cards too.

- I gotta fill out a card?

- Yeah.

Why would you not?

- Like a real synthesis?

[indistinct chatter] - Oh, my God.

- You're gonna miss us, I know.

- Ooh.

Y'all were the ones crying.

- I know, right?

- Y'all was crying.

Y'all were crying.

See, I wanna say I'm practically first gen. 'Cause, like, my mom went to college and everything, but no one around me really was able to help me with that, as far as applying and doing all that stuff.

They didn't know too much about it.

'Cause they never went.

Like, if my mom was here, I would've been--you know, I would've been good.

I would've been able to talk to her about this stuff.

So thanks to Mr. Cam.

He was definitely-- played a big role, a big help in all of this.

So thanks to him.

- She was about to announce.

- Oh, okay.

- What is she gonna announce?

- The school she's going to.

- Oh.

- Drum roll, please.

[partygoers drumming] - Cal State LA, Golden Eagles!

[cheering] That's the school I'm going to.

- Cal State LA, here we come.

- Yeah.

- I know.

I know.

[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - We're at California State University at Los Angeles.

So I'm in college now.

[gentle music] In the beginning, you know, first couple of weeks, I was just thinking, like, wow, is this real?

Before I left home, we cleaned out the garage.

I found, like, a whole bunch a old stuff from my mom.

She was in a sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho.

It's part of the Divine Nine.

And I found, like, her old mugs that she made, as well as, like, the little paddle thing with the markings of the sorority on it and stuff like that.

And then I also seen a whole bunch of old pictures from when she was in college.

I found out that she used to do sketches as far as, like, designs.

I didn't know that.

I know she'd be proud of how far I've made it.

I know that.

And I'm proud of myself too.

♪ ♪ [upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - The first thing I noticed is all the Black people.

When I first came in, I was like, it's a lot.

- Hey, young man, congratulations.

- Thank you.

I appreciate it.

- I'm Lamar, by the way, maintenance supervisor.

- Nice to meet you.

- Looking forward to seeing you.

- Welcome.

- It would be happy just to be around more of, like, my culture and living out here.

- It's like a real brotherhood.

I mean, everyone is just supporting everyone.

- Oh, okay.

- Helping everyone to get ahead.

So I love it.

I love it.

And I'm glad that you're here.

Welcome to Morehouse.

- Thank you.

- At first I was, like, unsure, and then sad, and then excited.

- I'ma see if I can get up there.

- But right now I'm just-- I'm ready for the journey that's ahead of me.

One more.

- There you go.

- There you go.

- All right.

[rock music] ♪ ♪ - Excuse me, where's the A building?

- It's right across.

- Right across?

All right.

- Now we're gonna go on a tour on the top floor.

- You went up?

- Hey, where are we going again?

- 131.

- 131, guys.

- Hey, this is your roommate.

- Move out of the way.

- It's all good.

- Uh, nah, I'm Raven.

- Move out the way.

- He doesn't take enough-- - AJ, take your pillow and help out.

- Let's do it.

- There's no space.

- I took the fridge off so we can take all... - Seeing my whole family coming up here with me to help me move in, it's scary, but it's exciting.

- Look at me.

Okay, go.

- Mom, come here.

- Come, auntie.

- Mom.

- Go with-- - Ma.

- AJ and his mom.

all: Aww.

- Mom hugs her baby.

- Do it long way, Robert.

- All right.

- Okay, now let's all cry.

Aw.

- One, two, three.

- Everyone, Sage.

- What about Sage?

What happened?

- You're one of Sage's ninong.

- Oh!

- Oh, wait.

What?

You are one of Sage's godfathers.

- Aw!

- So that means you have to be there for their--for the baptism.

- [laughs] - Yay!

- [laughs] - You have a ninong.

- Sage is my newly born niece.

I'm her godfather.

So that's really exciting.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

You don't got a choice.

- Why are you crying?

- You're gonna miss me, huh?

I'm gonna miss my nieces and nephew.

- Gimme my belt back.

- Right here?

- Yeah.

- I need my belt back before I leave, though.

- Be responsible, like I told you.

Make your dad proud.

He's here with you.

- Okay.

- Mm-hmm.

- He's watching.

- If you have any trouble, just ask Dad.

[cries] - [chuckling] Yeah, just-- - Yeah.

- Yeah, just pray to Dad.

He's watching over you, man.

- Yeah.

- Dad is always with you for sure.

- He's here.

- Dad's here.

He would definitely be really proud.

'Cause he had, like, high expectations for me.

Like, he knew that, like, I was gonna go somewhere.

Like, my brother's always been saying, like--like, do it for Dad and do it for Mom.

And they built me up as a person, taught me so many things.

And, like, I don't-- I couldn't do it without them, you know?

And especially now with the passing of my dad, I get to really realize what he's really done for me.

- Bye.

See you.

- See ya later, okay?

[laughter] Call me if you need anything.

- I'll be all right.

- Anything under $100.

[laughter] That's right.

That's right.

[bittersweet music] ♪ ♪ - A lot more opportunities for me, but at the same time, really nerve wracking.

I'm here now.

So, like, I did it.

♪ ♪ [computer chimes] - Oh, my God!

- [chuckles] - [laughs] - Hola.

- Hey.

- How you doing?

- Wow.

How's it going?

- It's cool so far.

You know, I got my little setup or whatever.

Have you been taking care of yourself?

- I'm alive, so that's something.

Doing homework.

This whole week, I've been very productive.

And that's just, like-- I've been, like, whoo-hoo, very proud of myself.

- It seems like you're doing pretty good, as far as, like, just, you know, being in this new space.

I'm really happy to see it.

Anything for me?

- Study hard, all that good stuff, do something, stay active.

You know, you played basketball a long-- a very, very long time ago... - Oh.

- In high school... - Mm.

- Very long time ago.

- [chuckles] - Wow, all of Mr. Cam's, like, EOP students, you know, they went off to school and college the same time Mr. Cam went off to grad school.

- I know.

- That is--that's something.

That's crazy.

I don't know, it's crazy.

'Cause, like, now it's over.

- It's over.

- Don't start crying on me, Mr. Cam.

- I'm not-- - Don't start crying.

- I'm not gonna cry.

[laughs] - I would hope not.

We've talked about this.

Don't start crying.

[soft dramatic music] ♪ ♪ - I feel like if I'm not the one who's gonna push myself, then who can really push me?

I wanna keep advocating for causes, keep being a good person, like, just living life.

♪ ♪ - I'ma do it exactly the way he's told me.

Keep working and then just follow the steps that he left.

I just gotta do what I gotta do and not slack.

It's all dependent on me.

♪ ♪ - So every day's, like-- it's a different battle.

Now I have a different outlook on life.

We already went through this.

I know we can go through so much more.

♪ ♪ - I'm hoping to know myself more as, like, a person, get into more of what I like, making new friends.

This is a new journey.

[chuckles] I'm really looking forward to it.

♪ ♪ - I'm gonna be something great.

For that to happen, I need to go out and, like, live my life.

♪ ♪ - I always feel like I was a really independent person to begin with.

I know that I'm gonna be okay and I can just take care of myself.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [dramatic music] ♪ ♪