Wearing the colors of the flag of Mexico around his neck, a Santa Barbara High School graduate walks to get his diploma during Thursday’s commencement ceremony. 
Graduates at Santa Barbara High School stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance during Thursday’s graduation ceremony. 
Graduates at Santa Barbara High School stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance during Thursday’s graduation ceremony. 
Santa Barbara High School graduates get ready to receive their diplomas on Thursday. 
From the walkway overlooking the stadium, thousands of people attend the graduation ceremony Thursday at Santa Barbara High School. 
Santa Barbara High School students walk on the field before accepting their diplomas on Thursday. 
Two buddies get ready to receive their diplomas during Thursday’s graduation ceremony at Santa Barbara High School. 
A Santa Barbara High School graduate accepts his diploma on the stage at Thursday’s ceremony.
Commencement speaker Jaylen Richey is ready for Disneyland.
The 18-year-old roused up the crowd with words of inspiration and hope at Santa Barbara High School's graduation ceremony on Thursday.
More than 500 graduates walked the track at the stadium before collecting their diplomas.
“Please be yourself, unapologetically, always,” Richey said his speech. “People will appreciate your authenticity. If you have dreams or goals, take action to reach them and remember, not everyone will understand a vision only you can see.”
He said you only have one life so give it your all.
“Make sure that when you are on your deathbed, or wherever you are dying, you are leaving this life with memories and not regrets,” he said. “You're in charge of your own happiness and you can move mountains. And most importantly of all, love yourself. Love yourself today, love yourself tomorrow and love yourself always.”
Santa Barbara High School ASB president Lila Gibson said the day marked celebration and new growth.
“The Class of 2022 has showed remarkable strides in several different ways throughout their years at Santa Barbara High School,” Gibson said.
She noted that their sophomore year was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was something no one envisioned.
She said junior year was limited with Zoom school and social distancing.
She referenced the recent prank at Santa Barbara High School that involved vandalism and gallons of baby oil, Vaseline, raw fish and oysters being placed all over the floors and door handles, according to law enforcement.
“The incident that happened this week was not what many of you worked for and it does not define you,” she said. “It does not represent Santa Barbara High's ideals or what it means to be a Don.”
She said “this amazing class of students” is ready to take what they learned in high school and give back to the community.
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
