More than 2,700 graduates from Whittier Union High School District’s Class of 2024 celebrated the culmination of their high school journeys and their milestone achievements during energetic commencement ceremonies held June 3 to 5.
Graduating students from Whittier Union's five comprehensive schools, two alternative high schools, and adult school celebrated with family and friends as they took the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of an era.
Santa Fe, Sierra Vista, and Frontier high schools, along with Whittier Union Adult School, kicked off the three days of celebration during commencement ceremonies on June 3, followed by California High School and Whittier High School on June 4. La Serna and Pioneer high schools concluded the festivities with ceremonies on June 5.
“As we gather here today, we celebrate not just the end of our high school years, but also the beginning of our life – full of endless possibilities and new challenges,” Pioneer High Summa Cum Laude graduate Maya Vasquez said. “The future is open and armed with our resilience and ambition. Here’s to the Class of 2024, a crowd ready to conquer the world with their ideas, dreams, and tenacity. Congratulations!”
During this year’s ceremonies, the District's Board of Trustees honored outstanding students from each comprehensive high school with the esteemed 2024 Trustee Award. These students, who all achieved Summa Cum Laude status, were chosen and recommended by their respective schools for their exceptional academic achievements, dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to excellence throughout their high school years. The 2024 Trustee Award recipients are:
- Santa Fe High School’s Zulema Gamboa will be attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the fall, studying biology with a minor in health professions.
- Whittier High School’s Mason Vigil will attend the University of California, San Diego in the fall and major in English with hopes to become a writer.
- California High School’s Toluwalope Bakare, Audrey Dayton, and Isabella Nunez. Bakare plans to attend Washington and Lee University in the fall and major in neuroscience. Dayton will attend Michigan State University and study journalism. Nunez is attending UCLA in the fall and will be focusing her studies on microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics.
- Pioneer High School’s Isabel and Galilea Gonzalez. Galilea will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall and majoring in aerospace engineering and Isabel will study political science at UCLA.
- La Serna High School’s Joselyne Mercado will attend UC Berkeley and major in chemical biology to pursue a veterinary career.
“As we celebrate all of our accomplishments, it is important to remain eager for what the future has in store for us,” La Serna High graduate Ariana Atilano said. “I encourage each of you to never stop learning, because knowledge is power, and our world is constantly evolving. Never settle for less, continue to push the limits, and create a legacy for yourself. Congratulations graduates!”
Whittier Union’s Class of 2024 graduates have been awarded prestigious state and national scholarships, including the 2024 full-ride Gates Scholarship, $50,000 Edison Scholarship, $20,000 Dell Scholarship, and full-ride Posse Foundation Scholarship.
“Congratulations to the high-achieving and impressive Class of 2024,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “Each of you has shown a steadfast commitment to excellence, continually pursuing your academic and personal goals. We are incredibly proud of all of you and confident that Whittier Union has provided you with the tools and resources needed to achieve amazing things in post-secondary education, careers, and the armed forces. Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and dedication. We hope that you leave here today with our District mission, ‘To Achieve and Maintain Excellence,’ continuing to guide your new path.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS
WUHSD_GRAD1: Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School, and the Whittier Union Adult School held a joint commencement ceremony on June 3, during which 411 students were recognized.
WUHSD_GRAD2: Santa Fe High School graduated 455 seniors during its commencement ceremony on June 3.
WUHSD_GRAD3: California High School honored 613 seniors during its graduation ceremony on June 4.
WUHSD_GRAD4: Whittier High School held its commencement ceremony on June 4, during which 419 seniors were celebrated.
WUHSD_GRAD5: Pioneer High School graduated 268 seniors during its June 5 ceremony.
WUHSD_GRAD6: La Serna High School celebrated the graduation of 573 seniors during its commencement ceremony on June 5.