Arroyo Grande, Morro Bay, Templeton seniors celebrate graduation. See the photos
More than 1,000 San Luis Obispo County students turned their tassels Thursday afternoon, commemorating their high school graduation.
The ceremonies — spanning from Arroyo Grande to Shandon — resulted in another 1,073 fresh graduates ready for bright futures.
Most graduates are headed to four-year universities or community colleges, but others will head to trade schools, the military or go straight into the workforce.
Thursday’s ceremonies included schools in the San Luis Coastal, Lucia Mar, Paso Robles, Templeton and Shandon school districts.
Students from San Luis Obispo’s Mission Prep celebrated their graduation on May 30, while students from Atascadero and Coast union celebrated their graduations on Wednesday.
San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Nipomo high schools are scheduled to graduate on Friday, and Central Coast New Tech High School will hold its ceremony Saturday.
Morro Bay High School
The community of Morro Bay had the chance to celebrate over 160 graduates at a ceremony at the high school stadium Thursday night.
The 162 graduates equal 98.7% of the school’s senior class, according to the district.
Overall, Morro Bay’s class of 2025 earned 187 scholarships totaling over $250,000 from local organizations.
Over half of the graduates who have a plan after high school are headed to community colleges, according to the district. Another 41% of students are on their way to four-year universities, and another 6% will go to trade or technical schools, take a gap year or enter the workforce.
The district also shared that over 40% of the graduating class earned 4.0 GPAs or higher, and over two-thirds of the graduates worked jobs while they attended high school.
The students were also highly involved in career technical education, with more than half completing at least one CTE pathway, the district said.
Jacob Falat and Orion Rea shared the valedictorian title, while Caroline Muff was salutatorian.
Arroyo Grande High School
Arroyo Grande High School celebrated over 500 graduates at its commencement ceremony Thursday night.
According to a high school counselor, 509 Arroyo Grande students received their diplomas this year.
Data from an exit survey showed that around 27 students from the graduating class were headed to Cal Poly, 151 students to Cuesta and 41 to Allan Hancock. Another ten planned to enter the military and others said they were going into the workforce.
The class of 2025 also included 20 valedictorians:
- Spencer Joichi Arrivee
- Karis Noelle Brokaw
- Kinsie Leanne Colbourn
- Jack Judah Folkrod
- Marissa Kathleen Fugitt
- Giana Grace Gunasayan
- Tiffany Susan Hyun
- Dylan Vaughn Junghandel
- Sofia Jorgen Kardel
- Emme Mary Faye Landers
- Lucas Lehman
- Symphony Hallel Lozano
- Jocelyn Martinez Luiz
- Molly Catherine McLaughlin
- Amelie Eleonore Moustirats
- Benjamin Yoshio Pedrotti
- Tessa Lauren Pettit
- Scarlett Ann Salter
- Julia Reese Sidun
- Ella Quinn Snyder
Templeton High School
Another 197 seniors earned their diplomas Thursday night at Templeton High School’s graduation ceremony.
Over 50 of the graduates earned scholarships this year, totaling at least $210,000, according to assistant principal Kristin Dentone.
The high school’s valedictorian was Spencer Sanders, who graduated with a 4.79 GPA and will be entering the U.S. Air Force Academy for aeronautical engineering.
The salutatorian, Brodie Rossel, graduated with a 4.77 GPA and is headed to UC Davis to study chemical engineering.
Three students are entering the military, Dentone wrote to The Tribune.
The district also highlighted senior Luke Thompson who was the recipient of the Principal’s ward, and Keani Neuhs, who received the Eagle of the Year award.
Shandon High School
The Shandon school district also saw its share of students graduate Thursday night.
The small SLO County district celebrated 19 students who made up the Class of 2025.
Six of the graduates are headed to four-year universities and seven are headed to community colleges. Three are on their way to trade schools and another three are entering the military.
The district celebrated two students who graduated at the top of their class: valedictorian Alexander Escamilla and salutatorian Bilga Vasquez.
Paso Robles alternative schools
Paso Robles’ alternative high schools celebrated over 140 new graduates Thursday night at War Memorial Stadium.
Liberty High School produced 102 graduates while Independence High School produced 39.
Liberty celebrated Valery Bracamontes as its valedictorian and Michaela Olivares as its salutatorian.
Independence’s valedictorian was Jael Analy Lopez, while the salutatorian was Aleah Johnson.
The schools do not track college destinations, but many students will be attending Cuesta, looking into trades or going into the workforce, according to district officials in an email chain sent to The Tribune.
Pacific Beach High School
Pacific Beach High School saw 48 of its students graduate Thursday afternoon — a 98% graduation rate for the San Luis Obispo continuation school.
At least 38 of the graduates are headed to community colleges, according to the district. Nine are headed to trade schools and one is entering the military.
The students also earned thousands of dollars worth of scholarships, the district said.
Eduardo Ruiz Jasso was the this year’s Pacific Beach valedictorian.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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