Santa Maria Valley celebrates Class of 2026 on graduation day at three high schools
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Pomp and Circumstance was the song of the day across the Santa Maria Valley on Thursday as three area high schools held graduation ceremonies.
Righetti High School kicked in Orcutt off a full day of graduations with its 62nd commencement ceremony beginning at 9 a.m.
"It's kind of surreal," said graduate Shani Peinado just moments before the start of the ceremony. "I kind of didn't imagine it coming so quickly, and I didn't think that I would be in the position where I am today, so it's just really nice to be acknowledged and get to share in this with my friends, some of whom I've been with since elementary school."
Dressed in all-purple caps and gowns, the 565 Warriors earned diplomas as the Class of 2026.
"This entire (education) process is culminating just to this day to get us ready for the real world," said graduate Ansh Vinchhi. "It's been it's been an honor to be on this journey, from kindergarten all the way to now, so we can make sure that we can go ahead and do the things that we want to do in life. Just so we can all have a future and make the world grow."
Later on in the morning, Pioneer Valley High School, the district's youngest school, celebrated its 20th commencement ceremony.
"Honestly, I think this is, the best class PV has had," said graduate Sophia Carmona-Garcia. "We're a very big class. We're very energetic. We're always on point with everything. Covid hit us, but that didn't really affect us. I think it made us stronger and appreciating more of the moments that we weren't able to have when we were younger."
With 664 graduates decked out in teal and black, Pioneer Valley handed out the most diplomas among the four SMJUHSD campuses.
"we are a very, very big bunch, but we're also very close," said graduate Kainoa Ilac. "We've gone through a lot together and so we've really bonded. We are pretty we're determined and we are ready for the next phase of our lives after this point."
The third and final ceremony belonged to Santa Maria High School, which has the most experience holding these ceremonies.
Thursday's graduation marked the 133rd annual commencement ceremony for a school that dates back to 1891.
"We're very energetic, very fun," said graduate Maritza Reyes. "We work a lot. A lot of people have cords and metals and it's really hard to get all these things, so I feel like we are really hard working."
While Pioneer Valley was the biggest Class of 2026, the all-red dressed Saints were close behind, with 660 graduates.
"To be a graduate of Santa Maria High School, it's really just one huge accomplishment," said Connor Pedroche. "But that doesn't mean the story's over. There's still more things to do, especially in university or even out outside of academics into our careers. This is only just one step along the way, and I'm very thankful to have achieved this job."
In total, 2,233 graduates received diplomas across the four SMJUHSD campuses, including 344 Delta High School in Orcutt, which held its graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
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