GONZALES — Traditions continued at Gonzales High School during the 113th Annual Commencement on Saturday morning at Dick Force Stadium, where more than 200 students graduated in front of their families, friends and school staff.
The walk from Spartan Alley to the stadium resumed as an annual tradition, as well as the celebration on the field at the end of the ceremony. This year though, the Class of 2025 became the first to graduate on the newly renovated stadium with an all-weather orange-and-black track and turf field.
One last tradition was the wind that began just a little earlier than usual and caused a tiny bit of havoc on the beautiful decorations.
Gonzales Unified School District Board President Araceli Flores enjoyed the June 7 ceremony and was thankful for the hard work that went into making it a success.
“The high school graduation ceremony was truly a beautiful and memorable event,” Flores said. “The stadium and overall setup instilled a strong sense of pride in our district and community. The students delivered outstanding speeches that moved many of us to tears. The energy from families cheering on their graduates was absolutely electric, adding to the joy and excitement of the day.”
The graduation began with soon-to-be graduates entering the stadium to Pomp and Circumstance that was performed by the Gonzales High School Concert Band. Gonzales High Vice Principal Michael Mansfield then asked for a moment of silence in memory of Language Arts teacher Jessica Asher, who died in December.
New Gonzales High Principal Keith Thorbahn then took the stage to give a welcome message and followed that with a recognition of CSF (California Scholastic Federation) students and the early graduates.
After a Senior Class Review by Brianna Ortiz and Mia Delgado Beltran, the Gonzales High School Concert Band played a Senior Dedication Song. Speeches were then made by Salutatorian Evelyn Perez and Co-Valedictorians Bridget Valdez-Preciado and Anthony Preciado-Cabral.
“Our new principal did an excellent job leading the ceremony. I greatly appreciated his efforts and leadership throughout the event,” Flores said. “Parents and community members shared positive feedback about the organization and flow of the ceremony. It was great to have Dr. Joey Adame in attendance as our new superintendent. Although he has only been with us for five months, this was a valuable opportunity of him to witness firsthand how our families celebrate their graduates. I believe it gave him a meaningful perspective on what to look forward to build upon in the coming school year. The staff did an amazing job putting this together, which is evident of the pride they have for our students.”
Before the graduates were announced, Senior Class President Mia Delgado-Beltran and Associated Student Body President Brianna Ortiz presented Senior Class Advisors Fidencio Cuevas and Clarissa Sicairos with Special Recognition Awards.
“The Class of 2025 is a unique group with big hearts, big brains, and Big G at their core,” Cuevas said. “We have scholar-athletes, record breakers, artists, future educators, auto technicians, health care providers and business owners. They were the pulse of Gonzales High School and we will miss them greatly.”
Sicairos echoed Cuevas with praise for the new graduates.
“The Gonzales High School Class of 2025 is a remarkable group of students,” she said. “Throughout their high school journey, they have excelled academically, participated actively in sports and clubs, and contributed positively inside and outside of school. As they prepare to graduate, this class leaves behind a legacy inspiring future Gonzales students to strive for excellence. The Class of 2025 is ready to take on new challenges and make a lasting impact beyond high school.”
Principal Thorbahn then presented the graduates to Superintendent Adame and Flores, who accepted the graduates, followed by Liliana Uribe and Juanita Zuniga of the Counseling Office reading the names of the graduates as diplomas were distributed.
ASB Officers then gathered in front of the podium to lead the class in the tassel-turning ceremony.
The event concluded with Brianna Ortiz presenting the graduated class, and the new alumni were sent out to the new turf field so they could celebrate with their families as “Big G” was played by the band.
