Pioneer High School sends off Class of 2024 with graduation ceremony

Carlos Guerrero

June 8

A mild summer night provided the perfect outdoor conditions Thursday evening as Pioneer High School celebrated the 2024 graduating class with its annual graduation ceremony.

The light-hearted and fun ceremony featured eloquent speeches from students and staff, fantastic singing performances and loud hooting and hollering from the 1,500-plus family and friends who packed the school's football stadium and perimeter to cheer on the nearly 400 soon-to-be graduates.

With members of the Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees in attendance, willing and ready to participate where needed, PHS Principal Sandra Reese took the podium for a brief introduction followed by a multi-lingual welcome. Salutatorian Karol Martinez Gonzalez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Pioneer choir, which featured several graduating seniors, performed the national anthem. Lastly, students Denise Valadez Rodriguez and Mahirah Arif presented a Land Acknowledgment.

Reese then took the stage for her annual principal greeting before ending it by quoting one of her favorite shows, "Star Trek," courtesy of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard.

"Live now," she ended. "Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. Class of 2024, enjoy your now, now."

Next up was WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin who came up for her annual remarks. Ortega-Lampkin used her time at the podium to offer the seniors three pieces of advice, including to be happy, to be independent and to be a good person.

"In closing, remember that you are not alone," she concluded. "You carry the hopes and dreams of our entire community with you. Always believe in yourself, because we will always believe in you and we will always be here for you. Congratulations, Class of 2024, and remember always strive to be happy, to be independent and to be a good person."

Valedictorian Amahirani Orozco-Ruiz was next and began her speech by recalling what it was like to be a freshman during the first full year of COVID-19 virtual learning during the 2020-21 school year. Then she got into the crux of her speech: finding or knowing your why.

Valedictorian Amahirani Orozco-Ruiz gaving her speech during the Pioneer High School graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)

Nearly 400 students graduated on Thursday, June 6 during Pioneer High School's annual graduation ceremony. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)

The Pioneer High School Class of 2024 throw their caps in the air to celebrate graduation during the school's ceremony on Thursday, June 6. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)

The Pioneer High School choir kicked off the school's graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6 by performing the national anthem. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Joint Unified School District Trustee Kandice Richardson Fowler congratulates students as they walk down the ramp during the Pioneer High School graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)

"We are part of an extremely special class that dealt with COVID-19 at the beginning of our high school journey," she said. "Thorugh the pandemic, somehow we made it through. Some might say we made it by luck, while others might say we didn't make it at all. I truly believe the reason we all made it here today is because of who we are.

"Finding our why was the reason we were able to overcome the pandemic and the reason the Class of 2024 will succeed in the future. Find the why that keeps you moving and pushing forward. Find what makes you get up in the morning. Think about the why, the thing that motivates you at your lowest. For me, my why is my family and friends. They are the reason I pursue higher education to make los sacrificios de mi familia que resulten en logros (sacrifices of my family to result in achievements)."

After Rocha, student speaker Maya Chessher had her moment on the microphone before student signer Genessa Rodriguez Delatorre sang out her version of "I'll Always Remember You."

Senior Class President Liliana Sepulveda then came up to say a few words before presenting the senior class gift, a small garden shed to house lawn chairs for next year's junior class so they can claim the area between the library and administration building as their own lawn, in hopes of creating a new lasting tradition for the school.

Crystal Pham, the faculty speaker, then delivered a fun speech. She began by shouting out all 122 students in her multicultural literature classes and promising to mail them letters soon.

"I don't know many of you, but I genuinely love all of you, and I love all of you enough to say that I really believe in you," Pham said. "I believe that no matter where you go after this, you'll always remember what it means to be a Patriot.

"...dont forget to just breathe. Tattoo these moments into your lungs, for you are alive right now. You are alive, Class of 2024, this is so wild, it is such a crazy experience! I hope you all can experience all the best things this life has to offer. Congratulations, you all made it. You all made it! Heck yeah!"

Finally, under the bright lights of the football stadium, each graduate got their moment to shine, walking up the stage as their name was called out amid cheers, air horns and random confetti cannons. Once every student had received their diplomas, Macklemore and Kesha's "Good Old Days' rang out through the speakers as loved ones patiently waited a brief moment before gleefully making their way onto the field to congratulate and celebrate with their Patriots.