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Pomp and circumstance

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Graduates celebrate at the Rodriguez High School and Early College High School graduation ceremony, Friday, June 9, 2023.

Sun shines on Rodriguez, Early College graduates Daily Republic Staff

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Kyia Jackson holds up her diploma during the Fairfield High School Graduation Ceremony on Friday.

Fairfield grads ready to make waves Daily Republic Staff

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FAIRFIELD — A pair of Fairfield High teachers eagerly waited to hear the names of their teaching assistants called Friday at the school’s Class of 2023 graduation. They did not have to wait long. But Elizabeth Thompson, a seven-year special education teacher at Fairfield High and 10 years in all, said it was not only Glensy Cauich she was excited to see get a diploma, but all the graduates who started their high school days under the Covid-19 restrictions. “I think it is so amazing to see our students get to the next step in life,” said Thompson, who

graduated from Vacaville High School in 2000. The next step for graduate Ram Flores is the military. He spent three years in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, but he has his eyes set on the U.S. Army. Ironically, he still has his sights set on a career as a pilot after leaving the military. Flores credits the dedication of the teachers at Fairfield High for getting him this far. James Macariola, the faculty speaker at the commencement ceremony, said that each of the students had created a ripple that will effect change in their lives and the lives of others. “One ripple can cause a wave, and a wave can cause change,” said

Macariola, whose daughter was among the graduates. Raegan Leong, who has been teaching six years at Fairfield High, like her colleague, was especially eager to see her class assistant, Jorge Pineda, get his diploma. “I’ve only known him for a year, but he was the most ... polite person I’ve ever met ... and he really wanted to help, and I look forward to seeing what he is going to do,” Leong said. The ceremony was relatively quiet as graduations go, with the stands only partially filled for the 362 graduates. But the ripples could be felt just the same. “I made it,” one graduate yelled up into the stands.

FAIRFIELD — Kayla Lee had mixed feelings as she arrived Friday morning for the Angelo Rodriguez High School Class of 2023 graduation. She is very excited about going off to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to study pre-medicine and play Division 1 softball for the Tar Heels. Lee created a head start for herself as a graduate of the Early College High School program, earning an associate’s degree in biochemistry.

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Wildcats face forward into the future Susan Hiland SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

VACAVILLE — The Will C Wood Wildcats bid farewell to high school on Friday evening with a ceremony full of music and cheers. After the Star Spangled

Banner was played Principal Charleston Brown welcomed parents, family and friends to the Class of 2023 graduation. “This is a reflection of your hard work and dedication over the last four years,” he said. “You have experienced

the joy of new changes and the sadness of saying goodbye to friends.” He told them that the days will seem to fly by, and years will pass in the snap of a finger but remember to follower your heart and gut. Senior Class Presi-

dent Ella Draper spoke of the aching to be older and wiser, starting in kindergarten, and always wanting to be in the next class with the big kids, until eventually they grew up and became the See Wildcats, Page A12

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Bulldogs say hello to new beginning Susan Hiland

Ashley Morales, 18 helps pin the mortar cap on her friend’s head at the Will C Wood Graduation Ceremony.

But the 86 students who completed the early college coursework – earning an average of 45 credits, or a year-and-a-half of college credits – spent more time away from their 427 graduating Rodriguez High classmates, too. “It was challenging,” Lee said. “It was really hard not to go to Rod and graduate Rod, but in the end of the day, I’m ahead.” She came to the event with Emily Campi, who will be attending California State University,

VACAVILLE — The senior class of Vacaville High School took to the Tom Zunino Stadium on Saturday morning not for a football game but for a graduation and their first steps into adulthood. Gracelynn Caulfield, 18 stood with her aunt, Danielle Wing waiting to enter the stadium. She is excited to be attending Solano Community College next year. “I will be taking classes for pre-nursing then transfer to a four year school when I am finished,” Caulfield said. Her favorite memory was winning the Varsity Girls Soccer tournament and she hopes

in the future to come back to playing soccer at sometime. “I have been playing since I was three years old,” she said. The 128th graduation ceremony was the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication for 413 graduates according to principal Adam Wright. “The last few years have been challenging,” he said. “We have tried to prepare you for the unknown challenges ahead.” He spoke of celebrating the ending of their high school years and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Class Historian, See Bulldogs, Page A12

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