Covina-Valley Unified School District celebrated the Class of 2023 with a series of commencement ceremonies this week, honoring graduates in the district’s three high schools, its alternative school and its adult education school.

Covina High School graduated on Monday, Northview High on Tuesday, Fairvalley and South Hills high schools on Wednesday and Tri-Community Adult Education on Thursday.

The district touted the Class of 2023 graduates for being accepted to prestigious institutions nationwide. Seniors also have been awarded notable scholarships for their academic and personal accomplishments, including a full-ride scholarship through the Posse Foundation, a $50,000 Edison scholarship, an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship worth $40,000, and an $88,000 dean’s scholarship.

But most of all, it was about the resiliency of students who pushed through the pandemic era for their entire high school careers.

“We have been through a lot but strong senses of perseverance and self-confidence were what got us through,” said Covina Valley High School Valedictorian Ethan Berry during his school’s Monday ceremony, celebrating its 126th graduating class. “With plenty of opportunities in our future, we must take them all with confidence, and even if you don’t succeed, don’t be discouraged by failure and keep shooting for the moon.”

Principal Daisy Carrasco had some advice as students move into post-high school life.

“New beginnings are upon you as you finish out your time at Covina High School as a student and become part of the largest alumni community in the San Gabriel Valley,” she said. “Take failure as a lesson well learned and grow from each difficulty you encounter. Continue to take steps forward and never let fear of failing win.”

Staff writer Georgia Valdes contributed to this report.