CDD Graduation Ceremony 10-20-09

Graduation Event Wrap Up


Session Beginning Date: September 15, 2009

Graduation Date: October 20, 2009

Location: 2200 Virginia Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404

Time: 7:00 to 9:00pm

Emcee: Chris Liu

Guest Speakers: Katy Porter

Names of Instructors:

Cri-Help: Smriti, Tyson, Robert, Francis

Walden House: Joanne, Jonathan, Dawn,Derin

House of Uhuru: Chris, Dan, Kaoru, Paul


The Ceremony began with the Emcee; Chris Liu’s, welcoming the graduates and guests. Chris congratulated the graduates and then detailed the night’s events. Chris, who has been teaching the CDD classes for the past two sessions, expressed how much he enjoyed teaching and meeting the students and wished them all future success. Following Chris’ introduction, Katy Porter, our Guest Speaker took the stage. Katy’s motivational speech inspired everyone in the audience. Her speech concentrated on having a focus on goals and taking positive steps to accomplish them. Kathy used a story about a boy with a goal to be an astronaut, in the story the boy does anything necessary to achieve his goal, during his quest to become an astronaut he becomes an eye Doctor and discovers he’s a decent Doctor. Kathy’s story concentrated on achieving your goals and discovering new things along the way.

Our first Student Speaker was from House of Uhuru, followed by Walden House and Cri-Help center. Each of the three student speakers read their 500-word papers in front of the audience. Their experiences were touching and expressive, acknowledging CDD’s positive role in their lives. Uhuru had a very dedicated speaker, one who through his speech, showed he was ready to get back what he has lost. The Speaker from Walden House was very lively and inspiring. Cri-Help’s representative had the most heart-warm story out of the three; she spoke about her family and marriage. Throughout the ceremony, Mark Hanauer the CDD Event’s Photographer, walked about capturing the moment of each of the Speakers; Audience and Guests. To Conclude the Ceremony, CDD Staff and two personnel from each of the centers stood inline on stage as each of the students were called to receive their certificates.

At the end of the ceremony, The Students and their guest along with the CDD Instructors and facility personnel from each of the centers enjoyed refreshments, took pictures and socialized among themselves. The ceremony over all was smooth and well organized. The Guests enjoyed themselves afterwards in a relaxed environment. The Graduating Students made the night shine with pride as seen by their many smiling faces.