Class of 2021 graduation ceremonies gave masked students reason to smile

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Students didn't have to log onto computers to take part in virtual high school graduations this year.

With the pandemic restrictions easing Class of 2021 ceremonies are going strong.

San Marco High School and Santa Barbara High School scheduled their graduations on Wednesday.

The graduations brought their entire classes together in-person for the first time since March 13 of their junior year.

Santa Barbara Unified Asst. Superintendent Frann Wageneck said, "I just can't believe that we made it through this year and I'm really happy to be able to see this class go out like this."

There were only a couple of restrictions: students had to wear masks, and could only invite a limited number of guests

San Marcos High School graduate Luis Aguirre said, "It is kind of strange seeing a bunch of people after awhile, yeah, hopefully it will be a good time."

SMHS Principal Kip Glazer said, "This is just very emotional for me, so I'm going to try not to cry."

She called herself a pandemic principal.

Educators and students described the Class of 2021 as resilient.

Grads such as Lauren Cantin persevered despite losing her father and brother in the Montecito Mudslide in 2018.

Her senior class also took time to remember a classmate with a poem before giving her parents a bouquet and a diploma.

Student speakers encouraged the Lions and the Dons to look at what they accomplished in spite of it all.

Cheers rang out from the stands and sidelines.

The students turned their tassels from right to left before tossing their decorated mortarboards in the air.

Santa Barbara High graduate Wendy Vega left the field smiling beneath her mask.

Vega said, It's exciting I'm nervous and also a little cold."

Santa Barbara High graduate Tommy Gutierrez said, "Im just happy to have a graduation, especially during these times, I wish my class the best future."