In a year marked by tragedy and triumph, Dos Pueblos High School celebrated 512 students who graduated Thursday night at Scott O’Leary Stadium.
“It has been quite the journey, filled with accomplishments that are as impressive as any class in our illustrious 58-year history,” Dos Pueblos Principal Bill Woodard said.
He cited 16 International Baccalaureate diploma recipients, 39 IB merit scholars, 23 national merit commended scholars, a school record of 285 career technical education pathways completed, 12 championship athletic teams, and record-breaking performances from the marching band, among many other accomplishments.
He also said the class of 2025 led Santa Barbara County in “every academic area.”
“English, math, science, A-G eligibility and college and career readiness — you rock,” Woodard said. “You more than met our high expectations.”
The ceremony began with Justin Ji, Associated Student Body president and the class of 2026, ringing a bell at midfield. The graduating students then walked onto the field and circled the stadium before taking their seats.
The DPHS Jazz Choir performed “For Good” from “Wicked.”
As is tradition during graduations, many of the students decorated their mortarboards to reflect portions of their personality. Amid the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and efforts to deport immigrants, dozens in the crowd this year decorated their caps like the Mexican flag, or in Mexican flag colors. Some had leis in the color of red, white and green, the Mexican flag colors. Other caps proudly promoted that they came from immigrant parents or featured pro-immigrant statements.
Ariana Garcia Gomez, who delivered opening remarks, said she was “a proud Mexican immigrant, honored to welcome you all today,” to a loud ovation.
She thanked teachers for creating a chosen family with the students.
“You taught us that we are significant as people, not just students,” Garcia Gomez said.
Andy Brennan, ASB president and class of 2025, delivered a speech, recalling some of his favorite and most memorable moments from his time at Dos Pueblos.
“Thank you to the 7-Eleven cashiers,” Brennan said to loud cheers from the students. “Thank you to the bus drivers willing to stop for food on the way home from games. And for the weather, for not raining on us at winter formal or prom.”
He thanked the parents who dropped off food, workout clothes and iPads when students left them at home.
Dos Pueblos High School Principal Bill Woodard says the class of 2025 was among the most celebrated and scored the most accolades in school history. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
Graduates stand for parts of the graduation ceremony Thursday at Dos Pueblos High School. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
A graduation cap makes a statement during Thursday’s ceremony at Dos Pueblos High School. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
Dos Pueblos graduate and ASB president Andy Brennan delivers a humorous and touching speech at Thursday’s graduation ceremony. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
A Dos Pueblos graduate embraces a family member. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
Dos Pueblos High School graduate Ariana Garcia Gomez celebrates after receiving her diploma during Thursday’s ceremony. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
A Dos Pueblos High School teacher takes a photo before leading the graduates during the procession. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo Dos Pueblos High School graduate Shane Grant accepts his diploma at Thursday’s ceremony. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
Dos Pueblos High School seniors celebrate their graduation Thursday night. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo 
Senior Ezra Chahine graduates from Dos Pueblos High School on Thursday. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo
“And most of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for making these last four years so special,” Brennan said. “It seems like a lifetime ago when we walked onto DP with a mask. I had a side-part back then. It was crazy. It was a crazy, unprecedented time that we lived through.”
Olivia Espino told the crowd that she will be moving to Massachusetts for college soon and has contemplated how it will change her.
“I have come to realize that I am not actually leaving DP behind at all,” Espino said. “We are all our own mixture of all the people who have ever been important to us.
“It can be so scary to feel like we are leaving everyone and everything we have known behind. The truth is that we will never truly leave these people, this place or this time in our lives behind because it will be immortalized inside of us.”
Other student speakers included Sam Jabbari and Hanalora Abel, senior class president.
At the start of the graduation ceremony, Principal Woodard led the crowd in a moment of silence to honor Jake Curtis, a senior at Dos Pueblos, who died in a vehicle crash on Highway 101 in May.
Two other DP students died in the crash — junior Michael Ochsner and sophomore Alexander Wood.
Curtis’ cousin, Ryan Curtis, also a graduate, accepted his diploma during a special part of the ceremony.
“This spring, the world threw a lot at us — more than anyone deserves to bear,” Woodard said. “There were times we all felt broken. But you have responded with courage, compassion, with a stronger sense of the power of our community, being there for each other when you needed each other the most, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Want to celebrate a graduate in your life? Submit your own graduation announcement to Noozhawk’s Class of 2025 showcase.