Hundreds of Santa Barbara High School Dons promenaded into Peabody Stadium on Thursday night for the class of 2024 graduation as the band played “Santa Barbara Hail to Thee.”
Principal Fred Razo awarded diplomas to the 541 graduates.
Student speakers included Vallerie Radilla Lopez, Associated Student Body senior class president; Abigail Webber, ASB president; and graduating seniors Olivia Battles and Alicia Ordaz Alvarez.
The ceremony’s program also recognized student awardees, including a list of Distinguished Dons and Top Department Dons.
“Go out into the world and exhibit the kindness and life skills taught to you and enforced by Santa Barbara High School,” Webber said in her speech.
“As you cross this stage and receive your diploma, celebrate all you have done and all you will do.”
Lopez thanked teachers, friends and family for helping graduates get to this moment.
Teachers “believed in us even when we doubted ourselves,” she said in her speech.
Addressing her fellow graduates, she said she hopes they are all proud of themselves.
“I wish you all the best on wherever your journey takes you,” Lopez said.
The Santa Barbara High School Class of 2024 is the 149th graduating class in school history. It is the 100th class to have graduated from the current campus.
San Marcos and Dos Pueblos high schools also held their graduation ceremonies Thursday.
La Cuesta Continuation High School and Alta Vista Alternative High School held a ceremony for about 80 graduates on Wednesday at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
More than 1,500 students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District graduated this year.
