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District Announcements » Whittier Union Celebrates Graduates During Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

Whittier Union Celebrates Graduates During Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

More than 2,600 graduates crossed the stage and turned their tassels as Whittier Union High School District celebrated the Class of 2026 during spirited commencement ceremonies held June 1 through June 3.

Families, friends, educators, and community members gathered across the District to honor graduates from Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative education programs, and adult school, recognizing years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement as students reached one of the most significant milestones of their academic journeys.

Commencement celebrations began June 1 with ceremonies for Santa Fe High School, Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School, and Whittier Union Adult School. Whittier High School and California High School followed on June 2, with Pioneer High School and La Serna High School concluding the festivities on June 3.

“All of us here had experiences at Frontier High, Sierra Vista High, or the Adult School that made us who we are today,” Frontier High graduate Edgar Adame said during his graduation speech. “Despite any challenges, I have overcome and persevered, just like many of you in the audience. To the Class of 2026…I wish you luck in everything you do and I hope you accomplish everything you dream of.”

As part of the celebrations, the Whittier Union Board of Trustees recognized outstanding scholars from each comprehensive high school with the prestigious Trustee Award, honoring students who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and dedication throughout their high school careers. The 2026 Trustee Award recipients are:

  • California High School's Carter Crail, who will attend UC Berkeley and plans to study nuclear engineering and political science.
  • La Serna High School's Tyler Yao, who will attend Cornell University and plans to pursue law school, and Luc Zhang, who will attend UC San Diego to major in biology with aspirations of serving his community as a physician or university professor.
  • Pioneer High School's Juan Castro, who will attend UC Irvine to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, and Braulio Campos Cabrera, who will attend UCLA and major in mathematics.
  • Santa Fe High School's Mikaela Oliva, who will attend Loyola Marymount University to study business administration with aspirations of becoming an attorney.
  • Whittier High School's Samantha Reyna, who will attend USC and study health and human sciences.

“While today is our graduation day, I think we all know that it is so much more than that,” California High Class of 2026 graduate Samantha Alva Lamas said during her commencement speech. “Today marks everything it took for us to get here. The late nights, the stress, the moments where we just felt like giving up, and yet, we pulled through. All of those days come together to form a perfect mosaic, each piece imperfect in its own way, but when put together, it forms a beautiful story that is our high school experience.”

Members of the Class of 2026 earned numerous prestigious scholarships and recognitions, including Posse Foundation Scholarships, Edison International Scholarships, Destiny Scholarships, and many others. Graduates have been accepted to leading colleges and universities across the nation, including Cornell, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, USC, San Diego State University, UC Riverside, and more, reflecting the District's continued commitment to preparing students for success in college, career, and life.

"We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished," Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. "These graduates have demonstrated perseverance, determination, and a commitment to excellence throughout their educational journeys. As they begin the next chapter of their lives, we celebrate not only their achievements, but the bright futures that lie ahead. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are honored to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to all you will accomplish in the years to come."

PHOTO CAPTIONS 

WUHSD_GRAD1: Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School, and the Whittier Union Adult School kicked off Whittier Union’s commencement celebrations on June 1 during a joint ceremony that recognized 376 graduates.

WUHSD_GRAD2: Santa Fe High School celebrated 439 graduates during its commencement ceremony on June 1.

WUHSD_GRAD3: Continuing Whittier Union’s commencement celebrations, California High School honored 582 graduates during its ceremony on June 2.

WUHSD_GRAD4: Whittier High School celebrated 378 graduates during its commencement ceremony on June 2.

WUHSD_GRAD5: La Serna High School concluded the final day of Whittier Union's commencement celebrations on June 3, honoring 617 graduates during its ceremony.

WUHSD_GRAD6: Pioneer High School celebrated 245 graduates during its commencement ceremony on June 3, helping conclude Whittier Union’s graduation celebrations.