Righetti High School kicked off a busy day of graduations in Santa Maria Thursday morning with 560 graduating students in its 59th annual commencement ceremony.
Families and friends filled the Warrior Stadium to cheer on the graduates and enjoy the ceremony, which included performances of the National Anthem and “Seize the Day” by the school’s varsity choir and madrigals.
Righetti Principal Ted Lyon addressed the students, acknowledging the $1.5 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2023, and the 11 students entering the United States military following graduation.
Student speakers included Colin Fernandez, Adrena Longoria, Savannah Taylor, and valedictorian Benjamin Choi.
“Looking out on you, my fellow graduates, I see future teachers, doctors, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, hair stylists, chefs, contractors, mothers, fathers — hundreds of other people who will go on to fulfill honorable life callings,” Fernandez said.
Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the graduation ceremony.
Graduates sit as Righetti High School’s 2023 commencement ceremony begins. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo 
The Righetti High School varsity choir and madrigals perform “Seize the Day” at the school’s Class of 2023 commencement ceremony. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo 
Student speaker Colin Fernandez delivers welcome remarks at Righetti High School’s Class of 2023 graduation. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo 
Righetti High School valedictorian Benjamin Choi speaks during the school’s Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo 
A graduate smiles and shakes a Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board member’s hand as he receives his diploma Thursday. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo 
Student speakers Adrena Longoria and Savannah Taylor address their fellow graduates during Righetti High School’s Class of 2023 graduation. Credit: Serena Guentz / Noozhawk photo
The speakers spoke of the COVID-19 pandemic — which started during the Class of 2023’s freshman year — and the challenges they’ve overcome.
“I feel proud of myself,” graduate Zimin He told Noozhawk after receiving his diploma. “My parents’ hard work was worth it.”
Meanwhile, Choi spoke of what their high school diplomas represent for the new graduates.
“The diplomas we will receive here today is said to be the passport to upward economic mobility, the key that unlocks the door to an abundance of future jobs and higher education, but I think that this diploma symbolizes something far greater about our lives than just our future and employment prospects,” Choi said.
“It represents the return on our lifelong investment in our individual growth with compounded interest earned back after over a decade of commitment and sacrifice. I think this diploma serves as evidence that when we commit ourselves — no matter where we start off in life or the unique circumstances that each of us face — every one of us can achieve great success in our endeavors.”
Other Santa Maria and Orcutt graduations that took place Thursday include St. Joseph High School, Santa Maria High School, and Pioneer Valley High School. Graduations for Orcutt Academy High School and Delta High School occurred Wednesday evening.