Gonzales and Greenfield high schools hosted their graduations Saturday at their respective stadiums, which were packed with loved ones celebrating the Spartan and Bruin members of the Class of 2026.
GONZALES HIGH
At Dick Force Stadium in Gonzales, 163 students were awarded their diplomas in front of their families, friends and school staff. Despite a little morning wind, students did a great job of hanging on to their caps during the June 6 ceremony.
Gonzales Unified School District Superintendent Joey Adame had high praise for the local communities in supporting their children at graduation.
“What I will always admire about this community is the participation,” Adame said. “So many parents there, so many family members, it was pretty touching. You see it at sporting events, but events like this, the place was packed. I don’t think there was room for seating in the stadium. I’d never seen that before. I thought it was an awesome graduation. I’m so happy for those kids and extremely proud of our staff. I’m definitely going to miss that.”
Adame will be working for just another month at the Gonzales school district before he retires and leaves for the Chico area.
There were many high achievers in the Spartan Class of 2026, as many students received scholarships and honors. According to counselor Maribel Muratalla, students received more than $80,000 in scholarship money.
“The total amount awarded was $82,840 and 78 recipients,” Muratalla said. “We want to thank the donors for their continued support and contributions to our students. Their contributions are changing lives and inspiring our students to further their education. Thank you to all the teachers, coaches, counselors and the students’ parents for their support not only in, but outside the classrooms.”
Gonzales High Principal Keith Thorbahn served as the master of ceremonies, with Spanish translation by Valedictorian Areli Calderon Mancera. Senior remarks were provided by Shelby Anderson and Valeria Beltran-Pineda. Beltran made a little history by being the first student to graduate from junior college at Hartnell and Gonzales High in the same week.
Lawrence Bettencourt gave the salutatorian address, followed by a heartfelt valedictorian address by Calderon-Mancera.
Saturday’s graduation concluded with the diploma presentation and the traditional tassel ceremony. Music was provided by the Gonzales High School Concert Band.
GREENFIELD HIGH
Nearly 290 seniors from Greenfield High School’s Class of 2026 celebrated graduation Saturday morning as family members and friends filled the school stadium to mark the milestone occasion.
The June 6 ceremony opened with the traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as graduates entered the stadium and took their seats on the field.
Diego Nunez led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem performed by John Sanchez. Principal Charlotte Vega welcomed graduates and guests before senior class representatives Valeria Lizardi-Rodriguez and Francisco Acosta Jr. offered remarks on behalf of the Class of 2026.
Salutatorian Peter Perez-Villagomez and valedictorian Anahi Hernandez were featured speakers during the ceremony, sharing reflections as their classmates prepared to receive their diplomas.
The graduating class dedicated the ceremony to loved ones, including family members who have passed away.
“The Greenfield High School Graduating Class of 2026 wants to dedicate today’s ceremony to our loved ones. We also want to dedicate it to our loved ones up in heaven. We know that they are present with us at graduation; looking and smiling down at us as we receive our diploma. We did it!” the dedication stated.
The Class of 2026 also selected a graduation quote that reflected on the journey ahead: “Behind us are memories. Beside us are friends. Before us are dreams that will never end.”
Superintendent Caroline Cota conferred diplomas, while Vega presented the graduates as they crossed the stage to receive their certificates of completion.
Following the presentation of graduates, Riley Cisneros-Castro led the traditional turning of the tassel, marking the official transition from student to graduate.
The ceremony concluded with the senior song, “We Are The People” by Empire of the Sun, before graduates celebrated with a long-standing Greenfield High tradition. Seniors ran down the stadium sidelines as classmates, families and friends cheered, culminating in the tossing of caps into the air to mark the end of their high school years.
Graduates exited to the recessional song “I Love It” by Icona Pop, closing the chapter on their time at Greenfield High School and beginning the next stage of their lives.
Managing Editor Ryan Cronk contributed to this article.
