Huyck Stadium was packed with family members and supporters of the Lompoc High School Class of 2025 Friday morning.
The 385 graduates were recognized for their record number of college credits, helping to pass Measure M School Bonds, and for overcoming their individual challenges.
The graduates entered the stadium one by one as their friends and family cheered from the bleachers, waving signs, and blaring noise makers. The faculty greeted the graduates one last time as they prepared to take their seats on the field.
While it was gloomy weather, there was nothing but pride and bittersweet joy as students faced the end of their high school journey, and the start of their new path.
Superintendent of the Lompoc Unified School District, Clara Finneran, welcomed the crowd and thanked the Class of 2025 for giving her hope.
“You are the most talented, loving, generous generation in American history,” Finneran said. “You have been well prepared by your families and by Lompoc Unified staff, and we know that you will make the world a better place.”
Celeste Pico, Lompoc High School Principal, told the crowd that the Class of 2025 has achieved more academically than any Lompoc High class before them; specifically, this class has taken more college classes than ever before.
“Many of you were enrolled in college before earning your driver’s license,” Pico said. “You’ve gone beyond traditional expectations, embracing challenge, seizing opportunity, and growing through perseverance.”
Pico shared that 10 of the graduates will be joining the military, 190 students are going to community college, four are pursuing trade skills, and 43 are going to a university.
“You have already accomplished great things, and you’ve already made a lasting impact on this school and community,” Pico said. “The next chapter of your life is just beginning, but your story will always be part of Lompoc High School.”
Isabelle Morales, senior class president, delivered an honest speech to her peers about how her goal was to earn a spot at a top college, and how she faced rejections from each of the top schools she applied to.
“Although I’m still a little bit offended by it all, these rejections also taught me something, the importance of being humble,” Morales said. “I learned that there isn’t just one definition of what the best looks like, and there never was.”
Morales said she learned that success is not tied to salary or an acceptance rate, and she encouraged her fellow graduates to stand out in whatever they do next.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks, even when things get uncomfortable,” Morales said. “Join that club, ask that question, speak your mind. Do everything you can to make yourself as noticeable, as impactful, and as valuable as possible.”
Lompoc High School recognized 47 graduating seniors as honored scholars, or legion of academic merit. Each of them have earned a 4.0 or higher grade point average.
Additionally, 27 students were recognized for earning 24 or more college credits while in high school.
Clara Ainsworth and Josue Robles were recognized as honored scholars and each delivered a distinguished scholar address.
Ainsworth asked the graduates to take in their final moments at Lompoc High School and reminded them that life is complex, and they didn’t need to try to fit into one box or be one type of person.
Robles recognized the Class of 2025 for being resilient, and overcoming challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic which started when they were in the seventh grade.
“It wasn’t easy waking up early every morning to come to school, not even for me,” Robles said.
“But even when you showed up in pajamas, you showed up, you did what you needed to do.”
Solimar Beltran was chosen to give the Brave Pride Address and opened up about the challenges she faced in the past four years and how she chose to change her life by working harder and making better choices.
“Junior year was a wake up call,” Beltran said. “I realized no one was going to fix my life for me. I had to do it myself. So I made some tough choices. I distanced myself from people who weren’t helping me grow, and I finally looked at my life honestly.”
She went on to thank her teacher and friends and emotionally thanked her parents in Spanish, choking up as she spoke.
“Lompoc High School didn’t just give me an education, it gave me strength, purpose, and the belief that I’m capable of achieving something greater,” Beltran said. “I’m proud of who I’ve become, and even more proud of who I’m still to become.”
Want to celebrate a graduate in your life? Submit your own graduation announcement to Noozhawk’s Class of 2025 showcase.