They might not have taken the traditional path to get there … but the graduates of Vista High School nonetheless made it to the finish line, picking up their high school diplomas in a Wednesday evening ceremony, May 28.
Hosted in the Performing Arts Center at Escalon High School, the ceremony featured 11 graduates in the Class of 2025 for the Vista Knights: Banesa Aguilera Gonzalez, Ian Alvarez Gonzalez, Alejandro Guzman, Josue Limones, Sebastian Lopez, Angel Marrufo, Rafael Martinez-Ambriz, Mariana Mellado-Altamirano, Cassandra Mendez, Alinah Munoz and Vladimir Rico-Munoz.
Teaching Principal Gustavo Arzac welcomed the crowd of supportive family and friends and the staff was also introduced, including teachers Nate Bartelink and Martin Louro, counselor Gustavo Jimenez and secretary Theresa Augusto.
Vista is designed for those students who need to recover credits at the high school level and is an individualized approach, students working more closely with fewer teachers in the smaller classroom setting. Arzac said it is an environment that lends itself to making lasting connections between students and staff.
Student speaker for the evening was graduate Sebastian Lopez.
He said when he first arrived at Vista, his initial thoughts were that it was small and he only knew a couple of people. But, Lopez said, he quickly realized that the staff was dedicated to the students and “want to see them succeed”, adding to the educational experience.
“These people showed us how to get our work done and got us ready for our future,” Lopez said. “And showed us how to be better people to each other.”
This year’s Student Recognition award was presented to Josue Limones.
“When making our selection, we consider many factors,” Arzac said. “Behavior, attendance, academic achievement and the positive impact the student has on their school culture.”
Limones, said Arzac, was the perfect example of “what not to do” when he arrived at Vista to start his junior year. But the transformation from a student who School Resource Officer Ben Harrison often had to go transport to school to a student who took charge of his own educational destiny was a joy to watch, said Arzac, and made Limones a “no brainer” decision when selecting the award recipient.
Following the awarding of diplomas, the moving of the tassels and the presentation of the graduates, all in attendance were invited to the adjoining cafeteria for refreshments and to take photos of the graduating class.
