Palisades Charter High School Graduates Celebrate Resilience at Hollywood Bowl

HOLLYWOOD, California — Andjela Malisich and 739 other seniors from Palisades Charter High School celebrated their graduation at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday. The ceremony took place at the iconic venue after the students faced a traumatic academic year marked by a devastating fire that damaged their school.

The relocation of the graduation ceremony came as a relief to students, who expressed gratitude for having the chance to graduate in such a historic setting, even if it was not their traditional venue. Senior Cash Allen reflected on the bittersweet nature of the ceremony. “There’s just been so many memories at the Stadium by the Sea, so not being able to finish out the four years of high school on that field is definitely sad,” he said. “But I think everyone also is grateful that we get to walk at the Hollywood Bowl.”

The Palisades fire in January resulted in significant damage, displacing many students and faculty. After the blaze, classes were postponed, and students endured remote learning in an online format. Principal Pamela Magee stated that the school sought various venues for the graduation before the Los Angeles Philharmonic offered the Bowl as a gift.

During the ceremony, Steve Kerr, the coach of the Golden State Warriors and a Palisades alumnus, emphasized the resilience of the graduating class. “I can’t even imagine the adversity you faced — obviously the fires in January that brought us here,” he said. Governor Gavin Newsom also sent a video message, encouraging the graduates to manifest their future.

Comedian Billy Crystal, who also lost his home to the fire, provided both humor and solace during his speech, saying, “Out of pain comes growth; out of loss comes wins; out of despair comes joy.” Valedictorian Annalisa Hurd spoke about embracing unexpected turns in life, stressing the importance of remaining open to new opportunities.

The ceremony was emotionally significant for many, especially for theater teacher Nancy Fracchiolla, who is retiring after losing her home in the fire. She described the event as daunting yet thrilling. “I thought I had this graduation thing locked and loaded. Nope, you don’t!” she shared.

Although the venue staff requested a prompt exit to prepare for another event, many attendees took the time to capture memories. Rashad Rhodes, an assistant coach and father of a graduate, captured the profound sense of community present during the ceremony. In a memorable conclusion, graduates tossed their mortarboards in the air, cheering for the class of 2025 as they celebrated their resilience amidst adversity.