Apple Valley and Adelanto high school seniors celebrate graduations
Last week, hundreds of seniors celebrated the turning of tassels during annual commencement ceremonies at high schools in Adelanto and Apple Valley.
It was a packed house at Adelanto High School’s Julian Weaver Stadium on Thursday as loved ones cheered the 471 saints who graduated.
Commencement speakers included Principal Ebony Purcell, valedictorian Kevin Andrade, who will attend UCLA, and salutatorian Fernando Orozco who will study at Cal Poly Pomona.
Other speakers included Senior Class Advisor Andrea Gonzalez and Yadira Perez Soto, who delivered the senior motivational speech. Michael Huerta Gomez led the tassel turn.
During her speech, Principal Purcell said the Class of 2023 boasted an annual graduation rate of 98%. Also, for the first time in school history, two students graduated from the high school while also receiving their associate's degree from Victor Valley College: Rayna Franklin and Melanie Salas Quintero.
Other notable grads included Principal's Cup recipients Jacob Gonzalez and Savannah Sandoval.
Apple Valley High School
Apple Valley High School celebrated Wednesday night as 498 graduating seniors turned their tassels during a commencement ceremony at Newton T. Bass Stadium.
The graduation featured 11 valedictorians, which included Stephanie Achor, Joshua Casas, Ty Claire Carlos Corona-Gonzalez and Glory Malcolm, Apple Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Zoee Widener said.
Additional valedictorians included Nathan Morton, John Jarrod Salgado, Julian Sosa, Cheyenne Valentine, John Villafan, and Gabriel Wilson.
Several parents said they were proud of their graduates and for the years they spent attending the high school.
“We are so thankful for the many opportunities that Bella had at AVHS,” her mother, Jennifer Nocera said. “During her four years there, she has grown as a student, built amazing friendships, learned from outstanding teachers, and created memories for a lifetime. Her many accomplishments have prepared her for an incredible future.”
Jessica Armijo said during his time at Apple Valley High, her son, Brandon, showed an unwavering dedication to many things, including time playing on the Sun Devil football team.
High Desert Premier Academy
High Desert Premier Academy graduated 119 students on Tuesday, May 23, at Newton T. Bass Stadium in Apple Valley.
Student speakers at the commencement ceremony included Kailey Torres-Baker, Ayngelique Daniel, Rickeisha Henderson, and Lorena Silva.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley and Adelanto high school seniors celebrate graduations
