GALT, CA (MPG) - Forty-one of Estrellita High School’s 50 graduating seniors received their diplomas during the school’s commencement ceremony June 2, celebrating the milestone alongside family, friends, teachers and district leaders.

Among those in attendance were Galt Joint Union High School District Superintendent Anna Trunnell, board President Terry Parker and board members Carol Messersmith, Melissa Neuburger, Mark Beck and Dennis Richardson.

Addressing the graduates, Principal Joe Schallberger reflected on the significance of the moment and the perseverance that brought students to graduation day.

 

Principal Joe Schallberger pictured at the start of the June 2 commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. 

“Tonight is not just a ceremony; it’s a hard-fought victory. To the graduates here before me, look around. Take in the cheers: the cheers of joy in the audience and the feeling of the cap on your head,” Schallberger said. “You earned every inch of this moment.”

The ceremony also included the Presentation of Awards, recognizing students who exemplified the school’s four R.I.S.E. pillars: Responsibility, Integrity, Service and Excellence.

Before announcing the awards, Schallberger encouraged graduates to remain grounded in their values as they move forward.

“As legendary basketball coach John Wooden famously said, ‘Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to get you there,’” Schallberger said. “Your character and your integrity are your foundation. Never compromise them for an easy way out.”

 

Class of 2026 graduating senior Jordan Eads walks toward the podium during the June 2 commencement ceremony to accept her R.I.S.E. recognition of the Responsibility award.

Teacher Doug Parrott presented the Responsibility Award to Jordan Eads, while teacher Donna Harte presented the Integrity Award to Amy Ruiz-Godinez. The Service Award was presented to Eleidys Mendoza-Valdez by teacher Oscar Corona, and teacher Clark Carter presented the Excellence Award to Raul Lopez-Rosas.

A Citizenship Award, accompanied by a $300 scholarship for future educational expenses, was presented by staff member Donna Victoriano to Marcus Rios.

 

Teacher Clark Carter daps Excellence Award recipient Raul Lopez-Rosas after presenting him with the award June 2.

Class of 2026 graduates at the ceremony (in alphabetical order by last name) are: Joelyssa Acosta, Santino Alvarado, Miguel Alvaro-Navarro, Isaac Arguello-Heredia, David Arredondo, Jayden Bolling, Samuel Calderon, Arturo Carrillo, Anthony Contreras-Zambrano, Sergio DeHaro-Perez, Jannet Diaz-Maya, Jordan Eads, Anaya Equihua, Rya Fletcher, Jadin Foster, Alejandro Galvez-Ruiz, Shyanne Garbarino, Bailey Garcia-Rankin, Brian Gomez-Vasquez, Jovoni Gonzalez, Jeevan Gosal, Kaden Hernandez, Dallana Hernandez-Castellon, Jessy Jones, Peyton Klein, Gustavo Landa, Raul Lopez-Rosas, Aracely Maldonado, Ryenn Martinez, Jaime Mejia, Eleidys Mendoza-Valdez, Camila Monterroso, Carolina Nunez-Alcantar, Bryan Ochoa-Alcaraz, Sandra Quiroz, Emely Ramirez-Romero, Maria Reyna-Ruiz, Marcus Rios, Abraham Rivera, Rosalyn Rocha-Pineda, Emily Roman, Jeremy Rose, Brandon Ross, Amy Elizabeth Ruiz-Godinez, Manuel Sandoval, Samantha Trugillo-Corrales, Hector Vega, Daniel Vega, Daniel Velasquez-Vega, Dominic Villarreal, Zoey Vincent and Jacob Wesson.