Looking out at a sea of graduates wearing red caps and gowns on Thursday, Principal Steve Campbell sent them off with the words “We’re proud of you. Go do great things.”

Approximately 600 graduates made up the Santa Maria High School’s graduating class this year.

“The class of 2023 is truly an outstanding class and has performed admirably in carrying on the Santa Maria High School’s 130 year tradition of excellence,” Campbell said. 

Members of the class of 2023 were freshmen in high school when the pandemic lockdown occurred.

In addition to dealing with the pandemic, they also dealt with a campus under construction, Campbell said. 

“Through all this, you the Class of 2023, prevailed and recorded some of the most impressive statistics in our school’s history,” Campbell added.

“Seniors, if I can brag on you just for a minute — you had more students accepted into California state universities than any Santa Maria High senior class in school history,” Campbell said. “Highest ever. 

“Also more than any school in Santa Barbara County including Pioneer Valley and Righetti High School,” he said to cheers from the graduates. 

Approximately 220 students met the stringent University of California/California State University A-G requirements, with the number still being finalized. It will either be a new school record or close to one, he added. 

Members of the Class of 2023 also captured a number of sports championships and other honors while at the school, Campbell said. 

Student participants in the ceremony included Olivia Curiel with the invocation speech, Erick Silva with an instrumental version of the National Anthem, Alyssa Vazquez Valenzuela with an English speech, Yaneisy Sanchez Ortuno with a Spanish speech and Emanuel Cortez with the salutatorian’s message. 

“With your diverse backgrounds and abilities, the possibilities for your success are endless,” valedictorian Elizabeth Sanchez-Fernandez told her classmates.

“Embrace who you are and use your gifts to make a difference in the world. Embrace the power of your imagination for it is the source from which dreams are born. Believe in your ability to make a difference both in your own lives and in the lives of others for you have the capacity to leave a lasting mark on the world,” she added.