Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Moving on up

For some, graduation marks an ending. To others it's just the beginning.

Last week, hundreds of Palo Alto and Stanford students took part in a symbolic rite of passage, culminating years of hard work, milestones, sorrow, disappointment and personal growth. As wide-eyed kindergarteners, many of today's graduating high school students first stepped into a classroom under similar conditions that exist today. Education is under the knife and the country is again embroiled in the Middle East.

Despite these striking similarities, much has changed. The economy blossomed, then wilted. Communication has become less personal, but more instant. And teen pressure has hit seemingly epic proportions.

For Stanford's graduates, this new world poses many challenges. It's strikingly different than when they entered college four years ago at the height of the technology revolution Yet, their optimism is unflagging and their determination encouraging.

Each and every graduate will undoubtedly look upon the past four years with nostalgia, but are nevertheless eager to begin the next chapter of their lives.

A Proud mom, Maruk Khambatta, gives her son a kiss after he recieved his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Ready for departure
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"I'm so ready," graduating senior Cyrus Khambatta said, slouching in an overstuffed chair in his Stanford campus living room while gearing up to pack up his bedroom.

Cyrus Khambatta enjoys a Giant's Game with his date Natalie Spilger before the annual Stanford Senior Ball held one week before finals.

Khambatta should be ready to leave. He grew up in Palo Alto and spent the past five years at Stanford. Yet he's not going far -- he's moving from his dorm room near the Stanford Golf Course to his new apartment in Mountain View.

A mechanical engineering major, Khambatta, who aspires to be an astronaut, will be working as an aeronautical engineer at NASA starting in August.

Letting loose with Natalie at the Annual Stanford Senior Ball held in San Francisco's City Hall.

As a former Palo Alto High School student, Khambatta wasn't sure what to expect going to college so close to home. He ended up enjoying his time at Stanford, saying even with its competitive atmosphere people are willing to go out of their way to help each other.

He indulged his soccer prowess at Stanford by playing on the girls' practice squad, saying they needed some guys to scrimmage against.

Cyrus gets some post graduation life advice from his dad Farrokh who tells him, 'The journey is goal.'

Khambatta spent his junior year abroad in Florence, Italy.

"Going abroad, that in itself made my college experience what it was," he said.
Although he's prepared to take off, Khambatta feels some nostalgia about his departure from college.

Cyrus Khambatta seen sitting in his dorm suite a few days before graduation.

"I'm definitely a little sad to be leaving because this place has definitely opened my eyes to what a good education can be," he said.

Taking advantage of his "super senior" status, Khambatta attended senior end-of-the-year festivities this year and last year.

Cyrus takes a ride down the Slip n' Slide with his friend during the 'Waky Walk' at Stanford's 112th Commencement Ceremony.

"I feel like it's the one time of the year when everybody is sort of on the same page and can celebrate at the same time," he said.

-- Rachel Metz