A soon-to-be St. Joseph High School graduate waves to family and friends waiting for Sunday’s commencement to begin. The Santa Maria Valley school graduated 90 students during the ceremony held at Allan Hancock College. 
English teacher Michael Krob directs St. Joseph High School graduates to join the processional Sunday. 
St. Joseph High School co-valedictorian Katie Adler addresses Sunday’s commencement. 
Co-valedictorian Sarah Yamaichi addresses Sunday’s commencement. 
Courtney Kay Cowger, St. Joseph High School’s Associated Student Body president, laughs during a lighter moment before delivering the class of 2019’s farewell address with Jason Dubowsky, senior class president. 
Sunday’s late-season rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending St. Joseph High School’s commencement. 
Members of the St. Joseph High School class of 1969 lead the class of 2019 into graduation Sunday afternoon. The class of ’69 was the Santa Maria Valley school’s second graduating class. 
Family and friends of the St. Joseph High School class of 2019 fill the bleachers in the Allan Hancock College gymnasium for Sunday’s graduation.
Decked out in green and white caps and gowns, 90 students graduated from Santa Maria’s St. Joseph High School on Sunday afternoon.
Family and friends entering the Allan Hancock College gymnasium carried more umbrellas than balloons due to the rare late May rain falling steadily before the ceremony started inside.
A green and white backdrop along with a large crucifix decorated the stage for the approximately hour-long ceremony marking the Catholic school’s 52nd commencement.
“Every memory has helped us grow into the people we are today,” said Elizabeth Vitty, the class salutatorian.
She noted many successes and failures that they faced as individuals and a class made them resilient today.
“Graduates, I say we’re all destined to greatness because each and every one of you, through God, has the potential to change the world,” she added.
Courtney Kay Cowger, Associated Student Body president, and Jason Dubowsky, the senior class president, delivered the farewell address on behalf of their fellow graduates, recalling classmates’ accomplishments and memorable moments in academics, sports and more.
“And let us not forget about our religious growth throughout the four years here at St. Joe’s,” Dubowsky said, recalling the freshman retreat at Waller Park where they left “not only as Knights but friends for life.”
As a class, he said, they shared good times at pep rallies, spirit weeks, homecomings and prom.
“Some say high school is the best four years of your life, but I don’t think that’s true,” Dubowsky said. “I believe the best is yet to come. High school is one tiny chapter in all of our lives, and we have so much ahead of us.”
The class leaders also gave special recognition to Jennifer Perez, vice principal and dean of students, for her support through the years.
Speakers also included co-valedictorians Katie Adler and Sarah Yamaichi.
“As we conclude this chapter of our lives and go to the future, we must strive to live not for ourselves, but to serve others,” Yamaichi said.
The graduates have identified assorted plans for after high school, including attending the the U.S. Naval Academy, Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, the University of Alabama, Hancock College and more.
Near the end of the ceremony, Joseph Jack Valdez was presented with the Most Valuable Knight Award, according to Principal Erinn Dougherty, who wrapped up her first year at the campus at 4120 S. Bradley Road.
Also attending Sunday’s ceremony was a contingent of nine “Golden Knights” representing the class of 1969. The alumni were marking the 50th anniversary of their graduation this year and their role as the second set of graduates from St. Joseph.
St. Joseph High School’s graduation launched the season in northern Santa Barbara County.
The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District will hold its graduation ceremonies on May 31, with Refugio High School set for 11 a.m. in the Little Theater and Santa Ynez Valley High School at 4 p.m. in Pirate Stadium.
On June 6, Lompoc High School’s graduation will start at 12:30 p.m. while Cabrillo High School’s will begin at 2:30 p.m.
On June 7, three Santa Maria Valley high schools will hold graduation ceremonies starting at 9:30 a.m. at Righetti High, 11:30 a.m. at Santa Maria High and 1:30 p.m. at Pioneer Valley High.
Orcutt Academy High School will conclude the season with graduation at 4 p.m. June 11 at Hancock College.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.