It's hard to believe that Daniel Ngo's first year at East Union High was one of doubt and without direction.

He took it upon himself to forge ahead, seizing numerous opportunities outside of his comfort zone from his sophomore year on.

"Whatever it is, do it," said the Class of 2021 salutatorian at Thursday's graduation ceremony at Dino Cunial Field.

Since his sophomore year, Ngo would prioritize "a moment of fear over a lifetime of regrets."

Public speaking, by the way, was one of those fears.

He and valedictorian Minh Nguyen along with fellow senior speaker Maris Prado shared their memories of their time of the COVID-19 pandemic — social distancing, distance learning, etc. — to a return to a somewhat normal graduation event.

About half of the nearly 340 graduates took part in the first of two commencement exercises — the other half will receive their diplomas tonight at Dino Cunial Field —in an effort to limit the attendance numbers while still enforcing safety protocols such as wearing facemasks.

Included were Manteca Unified School Board President Eric Duncan and EU Principal Raul Mora, who once again had the honor of presenting the group of classmates for certification to receive their diplomas.

The pageantry was back with the Camelot Court, a tradition at East Union dating back to 1985 — junior girls are selected and dressed accordingly as part of graduation, according to senior class Secretary Eric Valencia.

Graduation at EU also meant the return of the Lancer Band under the direction of Terry Silveira performing "Pomp & Circumstance."

Class Vice President Bayle Spencer led in the Pledge of Allegiance with the school's JROTC doing the presentation of the colors.

Lizeth Del Toro had the honors of singing the National Anthem.

Class President Emma Silva welcomed those in attendance while class Treasurer Brian Lagua recognized those who have passed on and teachers who will be retiring.

Nguyen, who will be joining Ngo in the fall at UC Berkeley — they're both majoring in Electrical Engineering / Computer Science — reflected on an unusual past four years amid a worldwide pandemic.

"It was rough -- looking back, we didn't do it alone," she said.