By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Celebratory Mood Marks Vista High Graduation
tassels v
At the instruction of Principal Gustavo Arzac, far left, Vista High students prepare to move their tassels to indicate they are now high school graduates, at the conclusion of their graduation ceremony on June 1. Marg Jackson/The Times

Fifteen Vista High School graduates took the stage in the Escalon High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday night, June 1 to receive their high school diplomas. Another nine graduates were not in attendance.

Welcoming the graduates, family and friends was Principal Gustavo Arzac.

“This is a very special evening for you and your graduate,” Arzac told the crowd. “Without you, this would not be possible.”

Arzac also thanked members of the school board for “providing another avenue of education” for students at Vista, where they are able to recover credits and make steady progress toward graduation.

Student speaker Israel Sotelo, who also received the Student Recognition Award for the graduating class, thanked his principal and the Vista staff for their encouragement as well as noting that Vista Secretary Theresa Augusto was a steadying presence each day on campus.

“Her welcoming smile could make a day better,” Sotelo said.

The graduate said he was proud to have been able to “accomplish my academic goals” and worked hard to complete his sophomore, junior and senior years. He gave special recognition to his aunt for “always pushing me when I wanted to give up.”

To his classmates, he urged them to keep their focus and continue moving forward.

“Never give up,” he said. “Good actions lead to a greater future.”

Arzac congratulated Sotelo on receiving the Student Recognition Award.

“With all the odds stacked against him, he made his best effort every single day,” Arzac pointed out.

District Superintendent Ron Costa certified the Vista students as graduates and all then received the diplomas from school board members, along with congratulations. Arzac then instructed them in the moving of the tassels to close out the ceremony, with graduates and the audience invited to the adjacent EHS cafeteria for refreshments following the commencement.

speak v
Serving as the student speaker for the Vista High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday evening, June 1 was Israel Sotelo, who also received the special Student Recognition award for the year. Marg Jackson/The Times