GONZALES — City of Gonzales Public Works department began hanging more than two dozen new banners featuring Gonzales High School Class of 2022 graduates throughout the city last week.
The “Future Focused” banners include photos of college- and career-bound students either holding a pennant or wearing swag from their future college. This is the fourth year for this annual tradition honoring the city’s seniors.
“The students have accomplished so much and this tradition of celebrating our youth with the banners is something we look forward to each year now,” said Carmen Gil, interim city manager. “This recognition inspires all our youth to focus on the future and achieving academic success.”
A total of 27 new banners will be installed this year to honor those going to local community college, technical school or the armed forces, as well as individuals attending four-year universities.
Among the schools the 2022 graduates will be moving on to are: Fresno State, Hartnell College, California State University Monterey Bay, California Polytechnic State University, University of California Davis, Monterey Peninsula College, University of California Riverside, Sacramento State, Chico State and University of Puget Sound, in addition to the U.S. Navy.
According to Gil, the banners are part of a much broader approach by the city and school district to focus on youth development and engagement from grade school to high school graduation. Called “The Gonzales Way,” it is an approach that has defined the community over the past few years.
