Sierra High Principal Steve Clark praised the graduating Class of 2024 for their perseverance.
“You opened your high school years with hybrid learning,” he said, recalling those days during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But you didn’t sulk,” Clark continued on while addressing the classmates during Friday’s 28th annual commencement exercises held at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
In the end, he called this group “one of the most decorated classes” in recent years.
The graduating seniors were the most honored during the academic Lobo Gold Rally and were one of the highest recipients of those earning the honor gold cords.
Clark also recognized several longtime instructors who are retiring at the end of the school year – namely, Yvette Fisher (World Language), Dianna Puett (Visual & Performing Arts), and Stephen Unterholzner (Science & Math).
Members of the Class of 2024 displayed their musical talents during graduation. Kalani Otubuah performed Ariana Grande song “You Are My Everything” while the group Halo-Halo – members of band consisted of Sienna Gavino, Jordan Esteban, Delison Razo Argueta, Jaiden Basrah De Dios, Jonvic Paredes, and Brent Olalde – played the classic “Girl from Ipanema.”
The graduating class consisted of nearly 440.
“High school is over and our lives are about to change,” said valedictorian Sydney Ladrido.
She added: “We will always be the Sierra High Class of 2024 – it binds us. Sierra will always be our rock.”
Salutatorian Seeun Kim was a no-show for good reason – she was enroute to flying to South Korea to care for her ailing grandmother.
She addressed her classmates via recorded speech, sharing her “goofy side.”
Kim left this message: “My advice? I have none. I hope you will cherish this moment.”