JUNE 18 – JULY 1, 2024
SANTA YNEZVALLEYSTAR.COM
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Santa Ynez High’s Class of 2024: ‘Now we get to run’ Short-and-sweet commencement ceremony at Rio Memorial Field sees 199 graduates
INSIDE
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
I
n front of a full grandstand of adoring family and friends at Rio Memorial Field, senior students at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School said goodbye to their high school years and took the first big step to their respective futures. And they didn't waste any time doing it. One hundred and ninety-nine Class of 2024 graduates received their diplomas May 31 in a brisk, efficiently run hour-long ceremony on a sunny Friday afternoon. The commencement ceremony began as the graduating seniors emerged from the school gym and walked along the stadium track on their way to the seat on the field. Of course, their was no shortage of what one might call "flair": Fancy scarves, colorful leis, mortarboards decorated with the logo of one's future college or a meaningful or humorous saying of some sort.
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Newly graduated Santa Ynez High School seniors toss their caps in the air after getting their diplomas and turning their tassels at the commencement ceremony May 31 at Rio Memorial Field. Photo by Mike Chaldu
Once the students were huddled in the seats, Senior Class President Ricardo Carmona led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by Athena Kett singing the national anthem. ASB President Ava Ladinig, and Senior Class Vice President
Samara Perez were introduced to welcome the audience to the graduation ceremony. "We would like to say thank you to our parents, teachers, counselors, administrators and classmates who have helped us reach this milestone in our lives," Ladinig said, followed by Perez
expressing the same sentiment for the Spanish speakers present. SYHS Interim Principal Andrew Alvidrez, the second to serve in the position during the academic year, introduced the SYVUHS District Board of Trustees Chris Johnson CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
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