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A 'Surreal' and Emotional Graduation for Paradise High

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Seniors personalized their caps with message of hope and inspiration.  (Stephanie Lister/KQED)

“Surreal” is the word Paradise High School seniors used over and over again to describe their graduation months after the deadly Camp Fire that leveled most of the town. Most of the students lost homes in the fire, the most deadly and destructive fire in recorded California history. Last week’s ceremony was the first time most students had set foot on campus since they were forced to evacuate. We hear from students whose sense of normalcy was restored, at least for an evening.

Guest: Jeremy Siegel, KQED reporter

Click the “listen” button above to hear the interview. Or find the episode on your favorite podcast app.

Read Jeremy’s story about twins Kirsten-Grace and Nicholas Baker graduating together from Paradise High, and see photos of the moving graduation ceremony.

Subscribe to The Bay on any of your favorite podcast apps to hear more local, Bay Area stories like this one. New episodes are released Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3 a.m.  Find The Bay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, NPR One, or via Alexa

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