San Ramon’s Michael Livanos Valedictorian

San Ramon’s Michael Livanos is Orinda Academy Valedictorian and Wins Awards

Message Body:
Orinda Academy, a private day school for students in grades 8-12, celebrated its 33rd commencement exercise on June 12, 2015 as 16 seniors received their diplomas before a crowd of proud parents, family and friends.

Leading the Class of 2015 was Valedictorian, Michael Livanos who will attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He was the recipient of the $30,000 Gold National Academic Scholarship by the University of Minnesota. In addition, Michael received a memorial scholarship at the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival and the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos scholarship.

Orinda Academy’s graduates represent an international community. They will be heading off to the following public and private colleges and universities throughout the nation: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Diablo Valley College; Hampshire College; Landmark College; Linfield College; Pasadena City College; San Francisco State University; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Willamette University; and University of Redlands.

The graduates and their hometowns:

Raina Arberry-Pleasant Hill
Torin Bakos-Lafayette
William Burkhalter-Orinda
Miranda Gill-Orinda
Matthew Hildreth-Lafayette
Ben Jaffin-Antioch
Jae Sub Lee-an international student from Korea, living in Antioch
Michael Livanos-San Ramon
Alex McSpadden-Oakland
Colin Mooney-Moraga
Sairena Ramirez-Oakland
Tyra Rensch-Oakland
David Rios-Benicia
Micah Sherman-Raz-Alameda
Wilson Wan- an international student from China, living in Lafayette
Vicky Wang- an international from China, living in Orinda

The 2015 eighth grade graduates are: Ben Brody, Benicia; Samuel Byers, San Francisco; Charlie Cottril, Walnut Creek; Cameron Fisher, Lafayette; Austin Foley, Pleasant Hill; Emma Greif, Walnut Creek; Blessing (Okeroghen) Ntekume, Oakland; James (Zheng Bang) Tan, El Cerrito; Alex Vinn, Danville; and Mulun (Jill) Yang, Lafayette.

Along with Orinda Academy’s graduation ceremonies, the following students received academic achievement awards:

Most Outstanding Student Award – Graduating senior, David Rios, Benicia
The Monte Melnick Community Service Award-Graduating senior, Raina Arberry, Pleasant Hill
Colin Pugh Award for the student having the most positive impact on the Orinda Academy Community-Graduating senior, Michael Livanos, San Ramon. Michael also received this award in 2014.
The Zeke Nierenberg Award for Social Activism-eleventh grade student, Dylan Seidler, El Cerrito

ABOUT ORINDA ACADEMY
The mission of Orinda Academy is to assist each student to reach his or her full potential as a successful, confident, self-reliant individual, prepared for the academic rigor of a university education. Orinda Academy serves students in grades 8-12, and provides a college preparatory curriculum in a nurturing and structured environment.
More information is at: http://www.orindaacademy.org/

  Michael Lavanos, Orinda Academy, San Ramon student, Valedictorian