During the Granite Hills High School 2026 class processional seniors were either nervous or excited, as family members and friends tooted horns and rattled noisemakers as they walked onto Jacob Rankin Stadium track while Pomp and Circumstance played.
ASB President Genesis Chang announced the Presentation of the Colors by Porterville Military Academy Color Guard and led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Joshua Castro Nava, sang the National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner."
GHHS Principal Jacob Bowker welcomed everyone to the commencement ceremony, Friday, introducing Porterville Unified School District Board Trustees Felipe A. Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Rudy Ruiz, Superintendent Dr. Nate Nelson, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Martha Stuemky, and other administrators.
He greeted faculty, proud parents, distinguished guests, and most importantly the 2026 GHHS graduating class.
"Tonight we celebrate far more than diplomas and accomplishments. We celebrate perseverance, growth, resilience, and the journey that brought each of you to this moment. I am filled with pride, knowing 283 graduates are going into the world. 283 young minds prepared to leave their mark, pursue their purpose, and create a legacy far beyond the walls of GHHS. Families your pride is more than deserved. Behind every graduate is a story of sacrifice, encouragement, patience, and unconditional love. Your support is their foundation of success, and this achievement belongs to you as much as them. Gracias.
"Class of 2026, your journey has been extraordinary. This year, our school embraced the theme, Granite Strong, as a reminder true strength is not measured by perfection, but by perseverance. It means continuing to move forward when life becomes difficult. Choosing courage, over comfort, discipline, over distraction, and hope, over doubt."
Bowker reflected on seniors' possibility, opportunity, and the promise of something greater ahead.
"Degrees, careers, accomplishments matter, but students' greatest legacy was how they treated others. Minor Myers, Jr. once said, 'Go into the world and do well, but more importantly, go into the world and do good.' That quote reflects what I have seen in the class of 2026. Kindness, resilience, and the ability to lift one another up through challenges and successes.
"Life will not always go according to plan, but do not let setbacks stop your future. Remember, that strength that brought you here, the people who believe in you, and the opportunities ahead. Go reach for your horizon. Leave your legacy, and show the world what it means to be Granite strong. Congratulations, class of 2026."
Abel Atrisco congratulated his class, saying they'd anticipated graduation for 12 years. He thanked God for allowing him the graduate, thanking parents and guardians for everything they have done for everyone. He spoke in Spanish to honor his greatest motivation; thanking his family and relatives for their sacrifices, dedication, unconditional love, saying he wouldn't have succeeded without them.
Luis Alvarez Haro spoke about the graduation journey being shaped by choices. He talked about recovering from scoliosis surgery, and how that changed his life. Recovery forced him to rebuild his body and mind, and he chose to become an engineer. He became more disciplined and earned straight A's, participating in year-round sports, pursuing computer science internships and technical jobs. By changing his mindset, his future outcomes followed. And graduating high school became just a warm-up. "'Life will make you choose,'" said his aunt. The biggest battles are quiet choices between comfort and growth, he said, with discipline mattering more than motivation.
Special Recognition Awards students wore hardware and honor stoles, and Bowker recognized their achievements in the Pathways CODE, ACE, and LJE. Also AVID, California Scholarship Federation Life Members, and the 2026 Gates Scholarship Recipient, Atrisco, one of only 300 in the nation, and the third GHHS recipient since 2023. This scholarship covers the full cost of college attendance. Honors students, and Associate Degree Recipients from Porterville College and the five Valedictorians were also honored.
Bowker introduced the five valedictorians; Ava Garay, Marely Rodriguez, Jose Valdez, Mackenzie Contreras, and Emily Garcia, speaking about their accomplishments before they gave their valedictory speeches.
Garay thanked her family, GHHS staff and teachers for excellent scholarship recommendation letters that will change her life. She thanked the class for making high school insanely memorable.
And she said they're the first graduating class unaffected by COVID. No Zoom meetings, masks, or social distancing. "We are all motivated and have bright futures. I don’t know if we'll see each other again. But, remember your roots. Never forget where you came from. And be proud, there is no greater strength than Granite strong."
Rodriguez spoke in English and Spanish. She said the class worked hard to graduate, showing up to classes at least 90 percent to keep their grades up. "Time flew by, and the memories will stick forever, good or bad. Graduating, we all have a new sense of freedom, as we decide to continue our education in college or university. Or take another path for our chosen career. I had fun these 4 years and hope you did too. The friends we made, sports we played made time pass fast but was loads of fun. I recall my time during tennis, playing duos with my friend Jess. We would win every time we paired together with twin rackets."
Valdez greeted everyone, saying he would have been terrified, as a freshman, to speak to the crowd. He thanked all his teachers. He thanked GHHS students who made high school something he can remember fondly.
And he thanked his family, for making graduation possible, saying, "I would not be here without them."
Contreras greeted GHHS staff, faculty and families, and asked, "How are you supposed to write a speech summing up 4 years in just a few minutes?" She spoke about Carpe diem, Latin for seize the day. She used statistics to figure how much time is left for both students, parents, and other family members, saying, "Time is ticking and it won't stop anytime soon; every second, every minute, every hour, every day is something we should never take for granted. Time is valuable. So spend that time with people who fill your life with joy, not sorrow. Pursue your dream. Be the person who makes someone’s day. Take in every moment, just like this one, to the fullest because you never know when it’ll be your last. Spend your life with people who bring you joy. Throughout my life I have been lucky enough to find that."
She talked about the teacher she aspires to be. "Someone who cares deeply about their students' successes and believes in them no matter what. To all the friends I have made over these years, thank you for showing me family isn’t only made from genetics. To all my aunts, thank you for all those rides when I needed them the most. Finally, I would like to honor my parents who taught me life doesn't come without struggle. They provided everything for me to succeed. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for everything.
"Congratulations, Class of 2026, we did it!"
Emily Garcia said the 2026 GHHS class has spent 722 days together, and she's grown with them in self-discovery, learning discipline, spending late nights and early mornings dedicated to their goals. She talked about passion, saying if you're passionate about something you're committed to it.
"The future will be rigorous and will challenge us in ways we cannot imagine. If we lead our lives through our passions, built on consistency and tenacity, there is no limit to who we can become. Thank you to my mother, Rachel Oriantia, my family, friends, and class. And with that class of 2026, what are you passionate about?"
Alejandro Valencia and Jose Navarro gave farewell speeches, telling graduates to be different, be proud of themselves and don’t be afraid to take risks. They said we're more capable than we think.
The Granite Hills High School Band, led by Caden Milligan, performed “Man of Steel Parts 1 and 3,” arranged by Mike Story, composed by Hans Zimmer.
Seniors were given their diplomas by PUSD trustees, with Bowker announcing, "Class of 2026, turn those tassels. Congratulations!"