Nipomo High School student body president Addisyn Tejada shows off her diploma. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026.
David Middlecamp
dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Hundreds more San Luis Obispo County students turned their tassels Friday night, preparing to depart high school for college and careers.
Graduation ceremonies included SLO High School, Paso Robles High School and Nipomo High School, which each celebrated a cohort of successful graduates.
The students represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships earned, and leave high school with a range of plans for their futures.
More than 370 students graduate in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High School celebrated 374 graduating seniors Friday evening at Holt Stadium.
Of the graduating class, around 58% are headed to four-year universities, ranging from UC campuses to CSUs to other out-of-state and private colleges, according to Principal Rollin Dickinson.
San Luis Obispo High School seniors throw their graduation caps into the air at the end of commencement at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. The school issued diplomas to 374 seniors. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A total of 69 students will head right down the street to Cal Poly.
Another 145 students are heading to community colleges like Cuesta College, while four students are off to serve in the military and six will go right into the workforce, Dickinson said.
San Luis Obispo High School valedictorian Mila Shih speaks during commencement at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. Shih was one of 374 seniors to receive a diploma. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Friday’s ceremony celebrated a few standout graduates, including valedictorian Mila Shih — who will head to Harvard in the fall — and two salutatorians: Ethan Feeser, who will attend UC San Diego, and Luke Robbins, who will attend UC Santa Barbara.
This year’s graduates earned a total of $385,000 in local scholarships alone, Dickinson reported.
“We are really proud of our seniors,” he told The Tribune in an email.
San Luis Obispo High School seniors walk to the stage to receive diplomas during their commencement ceremony at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. The school issued diplomas to 374 seniors. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Paso Robles salutes 2026 grads
Paso Robles High School also celebrated its 2026 graduates on Friday night.
Around 414 students earned their diplomas at the ceremony, according to the graduation announcement.
Paso Robles High School seniors toss their caps after turning their tassels at commencement on June 5, 2026. Around 414 students graduated. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
The ceremony recognized valedictorian Kingston Anguiano, who graduated with a 4.84 GPA, and salutatorian Quinn Kobayashi, who earned a 4.81, according to a news release.
Both students plan to attend UCLA this fall, where Anguiano will study environmental science and Kobayashi will study business economics.
Paso Robles High School valedictorian Kingston Anguiano addresses the crowd at a commencement ceremony on June 5, 2026. Anguiano was one of 414 graduates, and is headed to UCLA in the fall. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
“Kingston and Quinn have each distinguished themselves through extraordinary academic achievement while remaining actively involved in student life,” Principal Mike Susank said in the release. “They represent the very best of what it means to be a Bearcat, and we are excited to see the impact they will make as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.”
In all, the Paso Robles seniors earned a total of $976,548 in scholarships to put toward their college and career training, a second news release said.
Paso Robles High School seniors applaud for their classmate during a commencement ceremony on June 5, 2026, where around 414 students graduated. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
Nipomo High celebrates 196 graduates
Nipomo High School also bid farewell to its Class of 2026 on Friday evening. According to the graduation announcement, the school celebrated 196 graduates during the ceremony.
Elisandra Vazquez waves her diploma as principal John Denno stands in the background. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The graduates earned a total of $263,300 in scholarships to put toward their future plans.
Friday’s ceremony featured valedictorian Nola Zavala as a speaker.
Zavala was one of eight valedictorians, alongside Jared Aguilera, Bailey Cantieri, Reanna Diaz, Alice Deutsch, Sophia Hedrick, Regan Holland and Yesica Rojas Bernabe, according to a senior night announcement.
Gage Stickler poses for a photo. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Lucero Contreras was one of 198 graduates to receive a diploma from Nipomo High School during commencement on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Students stand for the National Anthem. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Jose Lopez caries a flag at the head of a line of graduates. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Raymond Marquez celebrates picking up his diploma. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Students line up under a display of international flags. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Nipomo High School students walk past families and friends in the crowd at commencement on June 5, 2026. The school issued diplomas to 198 graduates. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Jacob Bird was one of dozens of students who shared hugs at the end of the ceremony. Nipomo High School issued diplomas to 198 graduates on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Elementary and middle school students from graduating classes of the future, including a kindergartner from the class of 2038, walked onstage before Nipomo High School’s commencement ceremony on June 5, 2026. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo High School senior Adrian Puga, who delivered the senior address, receives his diploma during commencement at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. Puga was one of 374 seniors to receive a diploma. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo High School seniors process in at the start of their commencement ceremony at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. The school issued diplomas to 374 seniors. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo High School student body president Zoe Fujii speaks during the commencement ceremony at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026, where 374 seniors received their diplomas. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
White homing pigeons take to the air at San Luis Obispo High School's commencement ceremonies at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. Diplomas were awarded to 374 seniors. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo High School seniors sit in the sun during commencement ceremonies at Holt Field on Friday, June 5, 2026. The school issued diplomas to 374 seniors. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Jaime Alberto Coto Jr. sings with his band, “Grupo Trio Elegante,” ahead of Paso Robles’ graduation ceremony on June 5, 2026. Coto was one of about 414 graduates. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
Paso Robles High School seniors entered the field at War Memorial Stadium as they prepared to officially graduate on June 5, 2026. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
The crowd of Paso Robles High School graduates erupted into hugs, cheers and laughter after the cap toss during commencement on June 5, 2026. Around 414 students graduated. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
Paso Robles High School seniors gesture to their family and friends standing on the sidelines of War Memorial Stadium during commencement on June 5, 2026. The ceremony celebrated around 414 graduates. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
Paso Robles High School seniors applaud for their classmate during a commencement ceremony on June 5, 2026, where around 414 students graduated. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
Some Paso Robles High School seniors bejeweled their graduation caps, seen here, ahead of their commencement ceremony on June 5, 2026. Sadie Dittenber sdittenber@thetribunenews.com
This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 12:25 PM.
Sadie Dittenber writes about education for The Tribune and is a California Local News Fellow through the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. Dittenber graduated from The College of Idaho with a degree in international political economy.
.JPG)