Fairfax High School (FHS) will say goodbye to more than 500 graduating seniors during its commencement today, and their view of the future is simple: “The world isn’t ending; we’re just taking over.”

Fairfax High valedictorian James Park (left) and salutatorian Jinseok Choi will both attend the University of California, Berkeley. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

The class motto certainly applies to the high school valedictorian and salutatorian, who are both headed to the Bay Area to study at the University of California, Berkeley, to study economics.

James Park, the FHS valedictorian, will be a pre-business major, though he will also study economics. The Southern California native is excited for the future, though it is bittersweet in that he’ll say goodbye, at least temporarily, to close friends.

“I consider these guys like family,” Park said.

During his time at Fairfax, he participated in KIWIN’S, a part of Key Club dedicated to volunteerism. Park also was president of the senior committee for the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, through which he organized the science fair. He also participated in track and field.

Park said one of his more memorable moments at Fairfax occurred during his speech during Senior Awards Night. During the speech, the finality of the transition he and his classmates were preparing for became obvious.

“I finally realized it was all over,” Park said.

Through Berkeley, he hopes to pursue becoming the president and CEO of a major management company. Park is the son of Shi and Cho Park.

Salutatorian Jinseok Choi will double major in economics and global management. He said he too will miss FHS, recalling the first time he entered the school as a ninth-grade immigrant from Korea.

“I was really intimidated, and I worked my way up,” Choi said.

He admitted to being pleased that his high school career was nearly complete, as he looked forward to the new challenges and a different environment. However, on Tuesday, the last day of school, Choi felt differently.

“I kind of regret feeling that way,” he said. “I’m going to miss people I met here and the experiences I had.”

At Fairfax, Choi was the yearbook editor and the Christian Club president. He played varsity soccer for three years and ran track for one year. Choi also ran an online tutoring program, Living Library, with some friends.

Since the age of 7, he has dreamed of working for an international organization such as the United Nations. Choi is the son of Keeup Choi and Hyeseon Kim, both of whom reside in Korea. He also wished to acknowledge his aunt, Grace Yoon, who he has lived with during his high school career.

“I’m really grateful for what she’s done for me,” Choi added.

The Fairfax High School Class of 2012 will graduate at 5 p.m. today at the University of Southern California Galen Center. As both Choi and Park said: “Go Lions.”