Lynwood – Lynwood Unified celebrated nearly 1,000 graduates from Lynwood, Firebaugh and Vista high schools and Pathway Independent Studies program during commencement exercises on June 13 and 14, with the exhilarated Class of 2016 Knights, Falcons, Eagles and Panthers ready to take their next steps toward college and careers.

“There is so much pride and joy radiating from Lynwood’s Class of 2016, who are ready to take their place as architects of the future,” LUSD Superintendent Paul Gothold said. “Our graduates have displayed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, which has led them to this next level of higher education. As we honor them, we also want to thank our dedicated parents, teachers and staff who prepared them so skillfully.”

More than 92 percent of Lynwood Unified graduates plan to attend a four-year university. Of these students, more than 25 percent plan to pursue majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, while more than 75 percent say they are the first in their family to attend a four-year university.

Lynwood High School – 460 graduates

On June 14, Lynwood High held its first graduation on the District stadium athletic field, with nearly 500 students flipping their tassels from right to left as family and friends cheered them on. Valedictorians Enoc Jimenez and Liliana A. Toribio, who both graduated with 4.62 GPAs, addressed the graduates. Lynwood’s two salutatorians, Carlos Ortega and Ramon Sanchez, graduated with 4.5 GPAs.

Jimenez, a member of Lynwood’s soccer and track and field teams and National Honor Society, Advanced Placement (AP) Club and Fashion Club, will attend UC Davis. Toribio, vice president of La Raza and Honor Society, St. Francis Medical Center volunteer and member of Lynwood’s Link Crew, MESA, AP, and Cal-SOAP clubs, will attend UCLA.

Ortega, a member of Lynwood’s basketball team, National Honor Society and AP Club, will attend CSU Dominguez Hills. Sanchez, a member of Lynwood’s MESA team, Project Lead The Way engineering program, AP Club and National Honors Society, will attend CSU Long Beach.

Firebaugh High School – 345 graduates

Firebaugh High held its commencement on June 13 at the District stadium for 350 graduates. The ceremony included 170 from the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program of whom 13 were full diploma candidates. Valedictorians Jennifer Montanez and Itzel Burgos, who both graduated with 4.48 GPAs, addressed the graduates.

Montanez, an IB full diploma candidate and member of the National Honor Society, tennis teams, Young Actors Guild and president of Firebaugh’s theater production, will attend UC Berkeley in the fall. Burgos, an IB full diploma candidate and member of the cheer squad, will attend UCLA. Salutatorian Jose Munoz, an IB full diploma candidate and member of Firebaugh’s MESA team, Young Actors Guild and volleyball and tennis teams, graduated with a 4.46 GPA and will attend UCLA.

Vista High School and Pathway Independent Studies – 192 graduates

Vista High School and Pathway Independent Studies held a combined commencement on June 14 in the Lynwood High School gymnasium, with about 180 graduates receiving diplomas. Valedictorian Jonai Morris, who is a part of the National College Foundation, will attend El Camino College. Vista ASB Vice President Leslye Mendoza was named salutatorian and will attend El Camino College.

“I am so proud of our outstanding young Lynwood graduates, especially those who will be the first in their families to attend college,” LUSD Board President Alma-Delia Renteria said. “This is a wonderful moment for our community, as parents watch their children begin a new journey, that of young adulthood, with all their dreams ahead of them. Congratulations to the Class of 2016!”


PHOTO CAPTIONS

GRADUATION1: Lynwood High School held its graduation ceremony on June 14 for 460 graduating Knights, eager to march toward college and careers.

GRADUATION2: Firebaugh High School held its graduation ceremony for 345 graduates on June 13 as the Class of 2016 Falcons seek out new nests at colleges around the U.S.

GRADUATION3: Vista High School and Pathway Independent Studies’ 192 graduating Eagles and Panthers flipped their tassels on June 14, ready to soar toward future success.