Eight PYLUSD Students Persevere to Receive Their High School Diploma at Fourth Annual Summer Graduation Ceremony

On Wednesday, August 23, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) presented its 2023 Summer Graduation Ceremony. The fourth annual event, which took place in the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center, highlighted eight accomplished students who did not graduate in June for various reasons, some out of their control.

To begin the ceremony, the graduates beamed as they walked out in their caps and gowns to the customary “Pomp and Circumstance” in front of an audience of their loved ones.

Honored guests in attendance included Board President Shawn Youngblood, Trustee Marilyn Anderson, Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Olivia Yaung, and Executive Directors Nancy Blade, Bradd Runge, and Dr. William Gray. El Camino Real High School Principal Scott Mazurier, Esperanza High School Principal Jeff Giles, Yorba Linda High School Principal Dr. Richard Dinh, and school counselors from each site were also there to support their graduating students.

After a warm welcome from Dr. Gray and the Pledge of Allegiance, Dr. Cherniss addressed the graduating students with words of praise and encouragement for the future ahead.

“This would not have been made possible without your own strength and determination, but we also need to recognize the dedicated teachers, staff members, counselors, and administrators who have been by your side along the way to offer their guidance, support, and wisdom. We recognize that many of you also had solid support systems outside of school; be it family members, friends, mentors, or other loved ones,” Dr. Cherniss shared. “I ask you to reflect on the people in your life who helped you to get to this place and I hope you can go out of your way to let them know they made a difference. Now…the rest of your life is ahead. Whether you’re headed to a college, a career, a branch of the military, or another type of adventure, we know you are prepared for success now and in the future, and we cannot wait to see what you do.”

Dr. Gray then verified that the class had met all of the course requirements necessary to earn a diploma from PYLUSD and the State of California. Each graduate then walked across the stage to shake the hand of each honored guest and to receive their diploma. As they did, their principal shared kind words about each graduate and their time in high school as well as their plans for the future.

Dr. Gray then officially announced the graduates as the Class of 2023. Cheers rang out as the graduation ceremony concluded and graduates processed off stage to meet their loved ones.

The Class of 2023 included Kristina Kheshvadjian and Martha Verduzco from El Camino Real, Caleb Palmer, Cadence Richmond, and Luz Zepeda from Esperanza, and Fionna Tucker, Leonel Ramirez Ochoa, and Axel Lomeli Guzman from Yorba Linda.
Congrats, graduates! PYLUSD wishes you the best as you move on to your next chapter. To view the Summer Graduation Ceremony on the district’s YouTube Channel, visit https://youtu.be/Z8DukUSkmwc.