This past week proved to be a busy one for family and friends of Oakdale Joint Unified School District students as graduations were celebrated for Oakdale Charter, East Stanislaus, Valley Oak, Oakdale Junior High and Oakdale High School. Close to 770 students from the campuses combined were adorned in caps and gowns for ceremonial celebrations as the Class of 2024.
Graduation for the Oakdale High School Class of 2024 appeared to have a record high attendance as the Mustangs were treated to a long-awaited traditional ceremony.
As was noted during speeches, the students of the pandemic participated in a “drive through” ceremony for their Oakdale Junior High School promotion in 2020.
OJUSD student board member Grace Miller opened the ceremony singing the National Anthem for a final time in the Corral.
Graduates chosen to speak during the OHS Class of 2024 Ceremony included: ASB President, Payton Avila; Senior Class President, Analiese Stueve; Salutatorian, Taylor Hay and Valedictorian, Katherine Brown.
ASB President Payton Avila set the tone for the speeches as she addressed her class and their loved ones, initially acknowledging the love and support of those who had been with them throughout their tenure.
“They deserve a lot more thanks than we could possibly give them,” Avila said of their support system.
The graduate encouraged her classmates to embrace “forgiveness,” as they move forward into their journey. Forgiveness of themselves, as well as others, noting that through each challenge, loss and victory are lessons.
“Our high school days are over and our lives are about to change whether we like it or not,” Avila stated.
The ASB President further shared with the graduates that it was their time to grow up and embrace their bright future.
“When leaving the stadium today, we each take our own separate paths,” Avila concluded. “We will always be united by a community that stood beside and inspired us. Today is not only a culmination of all we have done, but it is also the fruits of the love and support of the community.”
