Smiles, waves, green caps and gowns were seen at Santa Barbara High School’s class of 2026 graduation on Wednesday.
About 420 graduates gathered at Peabody Stadium alongside their families and friends for the high school’s 151st ceremony.
The students lined up at the top of the stadium’s hill, eager and ready to begin the ceremony.
Santa Barbara High School distributed over 3,000 graduation tickets to students and their families.
Peabody Stadium was packed as graduates walked the track, waving to their families or friends when they went to their seats.
The band played “Santa Barbara Hail to Thee,” for the ceremony.
ASB President Nicole Buist and Principal Ed Gomez began the ceremony with an opening speech, welcoming everyone to the ceremony.
Buist thanked her classmates in her speech.
“I was lucky enough to know many of you and you have all inspired me,” Buist said. “As we take different paths after today, I hope everyone follows their passion and uses this life to become exactly who you want to be.”
Senior Class President Ethan Bimbela gave the commencement speech.
“Each of us has our own story, but today those stories meet here,” Bimbela said.
Bimbela reminisced on his time at SBHS, from the relationships he built to the late-night study sessions.
“No matter what your experience was like, guys we did it,” Bimbela said to the crowd.
Student speaker Blake Johnson spoke about his high school experiences.
Johnson moved from Los Angeles, not expecting the high school to live up to his hype, but it did.
“This place is truly a melting pot of exceptional people and memories,” Johnson said.
He spoke about the challenges people may face after graduation. Leaving the high school that has been a big portion of people’s lives, he explained, will soon be hard to recognize.
“I have faith in all of us to rise up to the challenge,” Johnson said.
The last student speaker, Rocio Vejar Montor, gave a speech in Spanish.
She thanked those who stood by all the students’ side for the past four years.
Vejar Montor spoke about being a first-generation student.
“I understand the systems weren’t made for us,” Vejar Montor said in Spanish. “But we are resilient, we fight and we continue to be here standing.”
Gomez took the podium one last time to give a speech to his students. He told students to send a text of gratitude to anyone who has helped them get to where they are today.
“No journey is walked alone,” Gomez said.
Gomez emphasized that when leaving high school, it’s important to show gratitude.
“The message you just sent a few minutes ago was more than a simple thank you,” Gomez said. “It was an investment in a relationship that matters.”
He explained he hopes showing gratitude becomes a habit in these students’ lives.
Gomez said he wants it to be a habit to recognize those who lift students and to find joy in the moment.
“Class of 2026 your future is bright, you are talented, resilient and prepared for what comes next,” Gomez said.
Following the speeches, the class of 2026 began crossing the stage.
As each student walked the stage, loud cheers, cowbells, signs and confetti filled the stadium.
While graduation came to a close, caps were thrown and students ran to their friends.
For some, tears were shed, but smiles were apparent as they started a new journey.
