GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXVI, NO. I
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
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Paso School Board recognizes Juneteenth, reviews new pool technician role Trustees consider and reject proposed resolution aimed at reserving girls sports teams and facilities for biological females By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — At the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 10, trustees adopted a resolution officially recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth Day and reviewed a proposed job description for a new pool maintenance technician role. Additionally, the board considered but ultimately rejected a proposed resolution that sought to reserve girls sports teams and facilities exclusively for biological females. Trustee Sondra Williams read to the board a resolution designating June 19, as Juneteenth Day, which commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom — over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. It marks the end of slavery in the United States. The resolution was unanimously approved by the board of trustees. A Juneteenth celebration will be held on June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Paso Robles City Park and will include games, music, food, dance performance, highlighting black business owners, and Juneteenth play. The pool maintenance technician, under the supervision of the maintenance and operations supervisor, is responsible CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Members of the Paso Robles High School Class of 2025 toss their caps in the air at the end of the school’s commencement ceremony on Friday, June 6. Photos by Derek Luff/PRP
Bearcats and Eagles soar: North County celebrates the Class of 2025
Paso Robles and Templeton high schools honor seniors with heartfelt ceremonies, top academic and athletic awards By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — On Friday, June 6, Paso Robles High School (PRHS) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025, a group of students distinguished by academic excellence, athletic achievement, and a powerful sense of community. The school held its annual Senior Awards Night on May 29, where 225 students received a combined total of 734 awards. A stunning $337,800 in scholarships was awarded to 62 graduating seniors, thanks to the generosity of more than 50 individuals, organizations, and community partners. Leading the contributions were the Paso Robles Rotary Club with $98,000 and the Community
Members of the Templeton High School Class of 2025 toss their caps in the air at the end of the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 5.
Foundation of San Luis Obispo County with $79,000. Among those honored, Valedictorian Ava Friedling and Salutatorian Hannah Bourgault
Paso Robles honors D-Day with Sherman’s Legacy Flight
stood at the top of the class. Bourgault was also recognized as both Scholar Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Year, alongside Garrett Haggmark
and Tyler Daillak, respectively. In addition, the school recognized Top Cat Honorees and College and Career Exemplar Honorees — students who
demonstrated commitment to their academic and professional futures. At the June 6 commencement ceremony, Salutatorian Hannah Bourgault, who earned an impressive 4.89 GPA, shared a message of resilience and acceptance during her speech. “Life is unpredictable. It throws things at us that we never expect — some great and some not so great,” she said. “I’ve learned this: not having it all figured out is OK.” Valedictorian Ava Friedling graduated with an outstanding 4.95 GPA and reflected on the journey she and her classmates have taken together — from kindergarten to their senior year. She spoke about the growth they’ve experienced and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber takes to the skies for second annual tribute to veterans and fallen aviator Sherman Smoot
PASO ROBLES — On Thursday, June 6, the skies above Paso Robles were filled with remembrance and reverence as the second annual Sherman’s Legacy Flight took off in honor of D-Day’s 81st anniversary and the enduring
legacy of local Navy aviator Sherman Smoot. The event, hosted by Honor Flight Central Coast, paid tribute to Smoot’s lifelong devotion to aviation and veterans. Smoot, who passed away in a plane accident in 2022, was born into an aviation family in San Luis Obispo and raised at the original Paso Robles
airport. His storied career took flight in 1971, eventually serving as a Navy pilot flying F-4Js from the USS Ranger during the Vietnam War. This year’s commemorative flight carried local veterans aboard Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber — a historic C-47 Sherman Smoot’s wife Laurie (third from left), along with family and friends, gathers for a photo following the second annual aircraft based at the Estrella Sherman’s Legacy Flight — held in honor of the 81st anniversary of D-Day and celebrating the lasting legacy of the beloved
CRIME
COMMUNITY
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
local Navy aviator at Estrella Warbirds Museum. Photo by Derek Luff/PRP
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