LYNWOOD – Lynwood Unified School District celebrated the Class of 2022 from Firebaugh, Lynwood, and Vista and Pathway high schools during commencement ceremonies from June 13 to 15, honoring nearly 900 seniors for their years of hard work and perseverance.

Vista and Pathway High School honored more than 200 graduates on June 13. The emotional ceremony was led by principal Ramon Enriquez, who expressed his gratitude to the Lynwood community, staff, teachers and families for working through challenges together and remaining united.

“We all knew starting off the year that we would be confronted with challenges. But we did what Lynwood families do best, we supported each other,” Enriquez said. “We were expecting the unexpected. We stayed ready so we wouldn’t have to get ready and together we got through it. We are Lynwood Unified.”
Pathway valedictorian Melanie Martinez and Vista valedictorian Natalie Hernandez delivered moving speeches alongside Savannah Jael Caceres, who was named Pathway’s Most Inspirational Student.

The ceremony also highlighted students who earned scholarship and awards for their achievements, including four Dr. Madison Memorial Science Award winners, Latin American Students Association Scholarship recipient Ever Moreno, and Lynwood Association of School Administrators Scholarship recipient Ramon Rodriguez.

Lynwood High School honored more than 400 graduates on June 14 during a ceremony that included inspiring speeches by senior class president Kailyn Canez, Associated Student Body (ASB) president Mariana Gudino, salutatorian Denisse Ortiz and valedictorian Chris Gutierrez, who completed his high school journey with a 4.66 GPA and will attend Stanford University in the fall.

“Our success today is the result of a community that cared,” Gudino said. “A community made up of Lynwood alumni who left to pursue their dreams and made sure to return.

The same Lynwood alumni sit as city council leaders, board of education members, staff in our schools and even our principal.”

During the ceremony, LHS graduate Cuauhtemoc Toledo was surprised by his brother Carlos Arrevalo, who is serving in the military, after receiving his diploma.

LHS graduates earned more than $600,000 in scholarships during the 2021-22 school year for their excellence, as well as Advanced Placement Scholar Awards and the Golden State Seal of Merit.

Firebaugh High School’s 295 graduates made their celebratory walk across the stage and received their diplomas on June 15. The ceremony was led by Principal Jose Montes and included inspiring farewell speeches by ASB President Natalie Olloqui, senior class president Andrea Perez, valedictorian Michelle Lopez and salutatorian Luis Sanchez.

“Getting ready to graduate seems so surreal. We have been waiting for this moment our whole lives, and it felt so far away yet here we are,” Perez said. “We are now headed into new beginnings and closing this chapter of our lives.”

Firebaugh’s top 10 seniors earned more than $145,000 in scholarships this year and are matriculating to prestigious educational institutions including UCLA, New York University, Stanford University and USC.

“I have no doubt that the Lynwood Unified Class of 2022 is bound for great things. Whether it be through college, the military, or the many other great paths within their reach, they are each amazing individuals who will have enormous impacts on our world,” Lynwood Unified Superintendent Dr. Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “I am extremely honored to have had the opportunity to see each of them grow and conclude their journeys here at Lynwood Unified.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

LUSD_LHS1: Lynwood High School graduates celebrate graduation on June 14 at the Lynwood Unified Stadium.

LUSD_FHS2: Firebaugh High School valedictorian Michelle Lopez receives her diploma at the FHS commencement ceremony on June 15.

LUSD_VISTA-PATHWAY3: Vista and Pathway High School graduates received their diplomas on June 13 at the Lynwood Unified Stadium.