Graduating seniors unleash the flurry of caps at the end of the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
James Oriskovich makes a heart handsign to his friends during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Graduating seniors ecstatically turn the tassles on their caps during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Graduatin seniors play with beach balls during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
A student kicks a beach ball--and her own sandal in the process--during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Graduating seniors greet loved ones during the processional during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Families of graduating seniors greet their students during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Thomas Vadnais performs a backflip after receiving his diploma during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
A group of graduating seniors sing one last San Marcos HS school anthem during the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Graduating seniors unleash the flurry of caps at the end of the San Marcos High School commencement ceremony at Warkentin Stadium on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
San Marcos one of three Santa Barbara high schools to send seniors off in over-the-top fashion
The sun shone Wednesday evening for San Marcos High School students, more than 500 of whom were graduating.
Some of them have been friends for a long time. Autumn Christman, Valentina Venegas and Jaiden Feldman, for instance, have been pals for more than half a decade. The three met in sixth grade, and as they leave behind the 12th, they are planning ways to stay in touch.
Autumn and Valentina, both of whom will attend Santa Barbara Community College, will have to maintain a long distance friendship with Jaiden, who’s heading off to Washington for further education.
“We are going to be penpals,” said Autumn. When the News-Press asked the three friends how they are feeling about crossing the stage in mere moments, Autumn replied, “We’re ready. It’s time.” The others nodded in agreement.
Beau Allen and Arman Banan were also ready, but the two took their time. Beau and Arman were the last of the lineup approaching the seats for the ceremony, but don’t let that fool you. Arman is heading off to University of Southern California to study business, and Beau will head to Duke University to major in biology.
“I’m feeling good,” Arman told the News-Press.
The interim president Dr. Rich Rundhaug opened up the stage, addressing the crowd first and foremost in Spanish. His hearty Spanish speaking skills generated applause, smiles and laughs from the parents, who urged him on.
Dr. Rundhaug eventually switched to English to impart a life lesson to the students. Live life as if it were a playlist, not the radio, he said. Dr. Rundhaug advised the students to select the relationships, careers and life that they like, as if they were making a musical playlist. Most importantly, he reminded students to “be the person who love others through tough times.”
One student listening to Dr. Rundhaug’s words was Henry Alvarado, who attended San Marcos High School from 1960 to 1964. After his time at San Marcos, Mr. Alvarado served in the Marine Corps as a corporal and afterwards worked for Massachusetts-based defense giant Raytheon for over three decades. Mr. Alvarado received his honorary diploma Wednesday evening, more than 50 years after his time as a San Marcos student.
The graduates will go to Disneyland today to celebrate their years at the high school and to plan on how to stay in touch.
