Estancia High’s Class of ’22 Eagles spread their wings at 55th commencement ceremony

Celebration, teamwork and togetherness were touchstones Thursday at Estancia High School’s Jim Scott Stadium, where Eagles with the Class of 2022 reflected on bonds formed and lessons learned one last time before taking wing toward the future.

With Estancia’s baseball team fresh off a June 4 CIF State Southern California Regional Division V championship 11-2 win over Baldwin Park, Estancia Principal Michael Halt couldn’t help but draw inspiration from America’s pastime.

Estancia High graduate Eduard Ventura celebrates receiving his diploma during a commencement ceremony Thursday.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

“Baseball reminds us of the importance of not just hard work but of teamwork and individual effort,” he told the crowd. “While you walk the length of the field by yourself, and you are individually handed that diploma, there’s not a single person here who has made that journey alone.”

Driving the metaphor home, graduate and baseball player Tyler Humphries, who plans to attend UCLA in the fall, shared how weathering the last four years of pandemic ups and downs together instilled in seniors a sense of resilience and grit.

“Whether it was adjusting to online learning or missing out on being with our friends, sports or activities, we all hurdled over challenges to try our absolute best,” he said. “We all just wanted this year to be the best one yet, and we definitely achieved this.”

An Estancia High graduate wipes tears from her eyes during the school’s commencement ceremony Thursday.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

In later remarks, Jamieson McLellan, who plans to study mechanical engineering at Orange Coast College, encouraged classmates to push past their fears as they headed out into the world.

“If you’re scared, you can be scared, but don’t let that fear paralyze you, as it can stop you from experiencing life-changing events,” he advised. “Nothing makes life more boring than inaction.”

With a turn of the tassels, Estancia officially graduated its 55th graduating class since opening in 1965. Halt offered one last word by way of a pep talk before the crowd dispersed.

“Always feel like the champions you are and, as always, Go Eagles!” he said.

A family waves to their graduate from the stands Thursday at Estancia High School’s Class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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