Hoover High grads described as resilient, hardworking, friendly by trustee

María G. Ortiz-Briones
·3 min read

The Hoover High Class of 2023 can be described as resilient, hardworking, friendly and most intelligent class over the past many years, said Fresno Unified School District trustee Claudia Cázares.

“We have a class of high-performing students, many who were accepted into some of the best colleges in the nation, as well as those deciding to stay closer to home and attend City College, Fresno State University, and career and trade schools,” said Cázares.

About 368 Hoover graduates participated in the graduation ceremony early Tuesday afternoon (June 6) at the Save Mart Center.

A group of graduates look at their refletion video during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates look at their refletion video during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.

Of these students, 306 will go to college, 135 graduated with a 3.0 grade point average or above, 85 took at least one AP class this year and 19 are recipients of a FUSD scholarship, said Cazares.

Of those graduates taking college level dual enrollment courses, 85 % had credit passing grades and 11 have shared their plans to serve the county in the military, she added.

While the district is proud of their accomplishments, Cázares told graduates that graduation is not the end of their story, and they will go on to continue to take care of generations that come behind them.

A graduating senior gets her diploma from school board member Claudia Cazares during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduating senior gets her diploma from school board member Claudia Cazares during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.

“This class is destined to greatness no matter what you decided to take on in your future,” Cázares said, adding that not too many classes can say they survived and thrived through the pandemic.

“Not too many generations were faced with not just COVID, but droughts, shootings, deaths, divisiveness. And time after time you graduates showed us adults that you can come together, pivot and move forward in the face of adversity,” Cázares said, adding they all have unlimited potential.

Cazares advice to graduate to accomplish their dreams is to strive to identify their passion and push towards it relentlessly and without giving up.

“To my graduates today I ask then, that you work hard to get to your goal and don’t ever, ever, give up. Attain your goals and dreams regardless of what stands in your way and what obstacles this adult world keeps throwing your way,” Cázares said. “Because this country is counting on you to thrive.”

A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.

At a glance

Hoover High | June 6, 2023

Save Mart Center

Graduates: 368

Valedictorians: 17

Latino enrollment: 70.3%

Highlight: Graduates chanted their school’s name ‘Hoover’ in unison throughout the graduation ceremony at special moments, filling the arena with their voices.

Quote: Principal Rebecca Wheeler: “Over the years when people have asked me what I want for students at Hoover, I don’t usually answer with some grandiose mission statement. I usually say some version of, ‘I want students to leave Hoover prepared for what they want, with doors open to them’ and ‘I want them to know they were loved.’ You may not always find doors open, you may have to do a little knocking, but I am confident that you have the preparation to be persistent, to accept challenges, to jump in and take risks, to use your voice for good, to continue learning to solve problems.”

Principal Rebecca Wheeler during her address at the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
Principal Rebecca Wheeler during her address at the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
Carolina Corrales Chaidez during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
Carolina Corrales Chaidez during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A graduate during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.
A group of graduates during the Hoover High graduation ceremony held at the Save Mart Center on June 6, 2023.