RITE OF PASSAGE—Graduates look for their families in the stadium during Simi Valley High’s 101st commencement ceremony on June 6. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers
Rapper J. Cole’s lyric, “Nothing lasts forever, but at least we got these memories,” resonated as the senior quote for Simi Valley High School’s Class of 2024.
As members of the class bid farewell to high school during their graduation ceremony June 6, Cole’s words encapsulated the sentiment of cherishing the moments the graduating seniors forged over the past four years.
While “Pomp and Circumstance” played, the 486 graduates marched into the school’s football stadium, greeted by a large crowd of celebrating family and friends, many of whom had arrived several hours before the ceremony.
Maddison Una Habaluyas set a poignant tone by serenading the crowd with the national anthem while Sienna Milner, Associated Student Body vice president, honored the school’s honor guard.
Emma Flynn, the class president, summed up the perseverance and resilience her classmates have shown, acknowledging the unforeseen start with online classes due to COVID-19 and celebrating their eventual triumph in reaching graduation day.
Bianca Ramirez, left, helps adjust Janelle Avila’s cap before the start of the ceremony.
“We’re truly without limits and can be the change we want to see in the world,” Flynn said. “Thank you, seniors, for making this year and this class one that will go down in history.”
In her commencement address, Bryce Guffee reflected on the bond forged by the Class of 2024, the final group of graduating students to have lost part of their time in high school due to the pandemic.
She said the lockdown experience ended up bringing them all together in a way they will never, ever forget and now is the time for them to face the unknown once again and see how far they can go.
Guffee said she has faith in the Class of 2024.
“If high school has taught us anything, if there’s enough gas in our cars and energy drinks in our system, we can go the distance,” she said.
Principal John Baxter also reminded the students of the Dr. Seuss quote: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”
Mia Diaz-Sanchez, left, shakes hands with Principal John Baxter after receiving her diploma.
“Cherish these memories and the relationships you’ve built for they are the foundation of your future you’re about to embark on,” Baxter said.
Academically and athletically, the class left an indelible mark on the school’s legacy. Simi High clinched its first CIF football title in its century long history, while over 35 outstanding seniors were recognized for their achievements at the Senior Scholarship Awards Night.
Notably, 95 graduating seniors wore honor medallions, symbolizing their exceptional academic prowess.
Jordan Wang emerged as the valedictorian, with Ava Schroeder, Shailen Mehta and Malavika Harikumar Nair distinguished as salutatorians. All are destined for UCLA in the fall.
Several Simi Valley High grads have been profiled on the school’s social media pages and they’ve each expressed diverse aspirations.
Mark Mabaet has set his sights on nursing at Husson University in Maine; he wants to serve as a naval nurse in the U.S. Navy. Janelle Avila will study environmental engineering at UC Riverside, while Alyssa Burgess has enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as she begins pursuing a career in law enforcement.
