Pioneer High School celebrated their 2023 graduating class Thursday evening with an emotional and celebratory ceremony that featured student speakers, singers and loud cheers that filled the football field.

Despite the slightly chilly temperatures and windy conditions, family and friends packed the bleachers, with many spilling out of the stands to crowd around the perimeter of the field to cheer on the over 350 graduates as they marched in and took a lap around the track to the traditional graduation song “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Once the graduates had found their seats, Principal Sandra Reese took to the podium for a brief introduction before several students took turns to present a diverse multilingual welcome. Salutatorian Finley Brant led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Pioneer High School Choir, which featured several graduating seniors, performed the National Anthem.

Reese then retook the stage to formally welcome the audience, thank her staff and board members, recognize parents and guardians and offer the graduates an emotional congratulations.

“Each of you has traveled a very unique path to get here and I know I represent all the folks here in telling you how proud we are of you,” Reese said.

Next up was Superintendent of the Woodland School District Elodia Ortega-Lampkin. In addition to Ortega-Lampkin, also in attendance at the ceremony were several board members, including Board President Rogelio Villagrana, Woodland Mayor Victoria Fernandez, Councilwoman Mayra Vega and Yolo County Superintendent of Schools Garth Lewis. Ortega-Lampkin used her time at the podium to offer the seniors words of encouragement and wisdom.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Ortega-Lampkin emphasized. “Sometimes that means failing, but failure is just an opportunity to learn, to grow and to become even stronger. Always remember that you are capable and that you are good enough. In fact, you are more than good enough to be anything you want to be. So just go for it.”

Valedictorian Tobias Rocha shared how the sacrifices his grandparents made to migrate to the United States to provide him with “the birthright of the American dream” and the accomplishments of his father, who was the first in his family to graduate high school and attend college, were the reasons he was able to stand at the podium as the valedictorian and go on to pursue higher education.

“So, class of 2023, I ask of us to do one thing. Break the norms and be the first,” Rocha said. “By taking up new interests, by going against tradition, by discovering uncharted places and by achieving victory in uncertain positions. By taking this very first step you make it much easier for others to take the next. We have been so privileged to receive an education at Pioneer High School. Let’s make it count.”

After Rocha, student speaker Myra Limon had her moment on the microphone, senior singer Kim Leah Moriones belted out her version of “Almost There” from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” and Associated Student Body President Luis Garcia passed the gavel to his successor. Senior class President Ella Gamboa also presented the senior gift.

“This year, the senior class is planting a tree, leaving our mark on Pioneer High School’s campus,” Gamboa said. “The tree symbolizes growth and prosperity and we hope that it will grow for years to come.”

The class of 2023 also donated the rest of their funds to the incoming class of 2027.

Allison Lafferty was the chosen faculty speaker, voted on by students to speak at the graduation ceremony. She offered students a list of advice that included trusting their gas gage, locking their doors, staying in touch with family, being nice to their bodies and reminding students things will always get better even in their toughest moments.

“This is not the beginning of your life,” Lafferty said. “You’ve been living your life. This is just another chapter in your story and you will have many.

“As with many speeches, I will end with a quote from one of the greatest movies of all time, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ Ferris Bueller: ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ Class of 2023, I am so proud of you.”

Finally, under the bright lights of the football stadium, each graduate got their moment to shine, walking up the stage as their name was called out amid cheers, clapping and confetti. Once every student had received their diplomas, Macklemore and Kesha’s “Good Old Days’ rang out through the speakers as loved ones made their way onto the field to congratulate and celebrate with their Patriots.