Graduating in Paradise after the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history
SalonSpeaking at his high school graduation in Paradise, California, this June, Garrett Malcolm described what he loved about growing up in his hometown: wandering into the woods, climbing down canyons, and walking down its dimly lit streets on quiet country evenings. Despite those losses, 700 students came back to school, including 220 who graduated last week — about the same size as last year’s graduating class. “A sad day is when a student comes to school and says, ‘This is my last day,’” said third grade teacher Laura Taylor in an interview with local news program Action News Now. With all these factors potentially affecting school performance in Butte County, Paradise High’s graduation rate is impressive: 80 percent of the class of 2019 is expected to attend college. With everyone gathered together one last time, Paradise High School’s senior class president Garrett Malcom recalled how the town’s perseverance was built on their close relationships with one another.