Templeton celebrates the Class of 2020 with a tradition-filled drive-in graduation ceremony
Templeton High School celebrated the class of 2020 on Thursday, June 4, with a new kind of graduation — a drive-in ceremony that maintained coronavirus social distancing requirements, but still had all the traditional trappings.
Seniors and their families parked cars decorated with photos and balloons and in specified spots at Vineyard Athletic Park, where they listened to speeches, received their diplomas and turned their tassels.
Graduates walked onto a windy softball field to receive their diplomas while friends and family looked on from their vehicles and honked their support.
Some student speeches gave heartfelt thanks to the support system that helped seniors finish out a year cut short by the coronavirus.
“Students, parents, families and staff, I want to start off by saying thank you for the wonderful welcome,” said Austin D’Acquisto, co-salutatorian. “Thanks to all of you, not just giving up your time tonight to celebrate the graduation of Templeton High School’s Class of 2020, but also for your continuous support and guidance. Without your support, I don’t think any of us would be graduating today.”
Other speeches found the positive in finishing out the school year under stay-at-home orders.
“I know it was oddly anticlimactic to end our high school careers alone in our rooms at approximately 8:43 p.m. on a Thursday,” said David Magie, co-valedictorian. “But I believe there’s a silver lining to ending the year in our homes ... we didn’t have to mark in the dirt lot.”
Templeton Unified School District’s alternative schools, Eagle Canyon High School and Templeton Independent Study, had a vehicle parade on Thursday evening to celebrate graduates starting at Templeton Elementary School.
The parade ended at the school district office, where graduates received their diplomas one at a time.
Templeton High School Class of 2020
Templeton High School graduated 183 seniors, most of whom will continue their educations at Cuesta College or four-year colleges or universities.
David Magie and Peyton TenEyck were co-valedictorians, as both had 4.6 GPAs at graduation. Blake Fardanesh and Austin D’Acquisto, who both graduated with 4.5 GPAs, shared the title of salutatorian.
Eighty-nine graduates will enroll at Cuesta College in the fall, and 59 graduates will attend four-year colleges or universities.
Five seniors will join the military, and seven seniors will join the workforce or take time off from school and work.
The Class of 2020 received $77,996, which was awarded to 29 graduates.
“The Templeton High School graduating Class of 2020 has definitely set themselves apart,” Principal Josh Aston wrote in a statement. “Our seniors have had obstacles placed in front of them that they could never have expected and have risen to the challenge.”
“We are so proud of their hard work and accomplishments during their high school careers, and especially during this trying time of quarantine and distance learning,” Aston continued. “I feel very blessed to have been able to associate with such an amazing group of young people. The Class of 2020 has unlimited potential and I am excited to see what their futures hold.”
Eagle Canyon High School Class of 2020
Eagle Canyon High School graduated four seniors, who plan to attend community colleges and join the workforce.
Zipporah Reynoso, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA, was the class valedictorian.
One graduate will attend Cuesta College in the fall, one graduate will enroll at West Hills College and one graduate will attend Allan Hancock College.
One senior has opted to start working at her family’s business.
“I have had the privilege of watching my ECHS seniors grow over the past few years,” an Eagle Canyon teacher said in a statement. “I am so incredibly proud of their hard work and their desire to continue to make good choices for their future.”
“Remember that graduation is a very exciting time,” the teacher continued. “It’s an ending and a beginning for you. I hope our time together has taught you that anything is possible. Go after your dreams and know you will always have a special place in my heart. I am so proud of ECHS and the class of 2020.”
Templeton Independent Study Class of 2020
Templeton Independent Study graduated 29 seniors, most of whom will attend community colleges in the fall.
One graduate will attend a four-year college or university, 17 graduates will attend Cuesta College and one graduate will attend Allan Hancock College.
One senior will join the workforce, and one senior will take time off from school and work.
Four graduates received a total of $73,615 in scholarships.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 8:47 AM.
