Los Amigos sees return of in-person graduation

Los Amigos High School seniors participated in an in-person commencement ceremony on Tuesday at Michael A. Monsoor Memorial Stadium on the campus of Garden Grove High School.

A virtual graduation was held for the school in 2020 following campus shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Michelle Monares earned the Los Amigos Siempre con Dignidad Award.

(Courtesy Jennifer Ngo Photography / Garden Grove Unified School District)

There were 370 seniors who walked in the ceremony, Thorsten Hegberg, an assistant principal at Los Amigos said.

Kenny Dao and Sebastian Lozano were the co-valedictorians for the Lobos this school year. Also honored at the graduation were Michelle Monares and Edgar Cachu, who received the Siempre con Dignidad award. The phrase is a school motto, which translates to “Always with Dignity.”

Los Amigos senior class president Gaylen Perez led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem was sung by Leilani Cooley. The school choir performed the alma mater.

Garden Grove Unified School District Supt. Gabriela Mafi poses for a photo with students from her mentorship program, who all have plans for a bright future.

(Courtesy Jennifer Ngo Photography / Garden Grove Unified School District)

Dr. Amy Avina, the school principal, also spoke at the graduation.

Each graduate received five tickets to attend the ceremony in the return to an in-person format.

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