Under sunny skies at War Memorial Stadium, more than 230 seniors from King City High School’s Class of 2026 received their diplomas Friday morning, marking the culmination of years of academic work, extracurricular involvement and Mustang pride.
The June 5 commencement ceremony opened with the processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as graduates entered the stadium and took their seats on the field. From the packed stands, families and friends cheered as the seniors made their entrance.
Once inside, the program continued with the color guard presentation by King City High School Military Science students, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kristian Lara and the national anthem performed by Jairo Saldana-Tacuba.
Principal Michael Gray welcomed everyone to the ceremony, emphasizing the milestone moment for the Class of 2026. The Senior Class Welcome was delivered by Rigoberto Aguilar-Oliveros, while ASB President Gizelle Huerta-Orduno addressed classmates on behalf of student leadership.
Salutatorian Jacqueline Gabriel-Luis and valedictorian Ezra Brown then shared remarks reflecting on their high school experiences and the future awaiting their fellow graduates.
Academic achievements were also highlighted, including recognition of California Scholarship Federation awards and AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone honors.
A senior class acknowledgment segment featured teachers Melissa Manriquez, Jacquie Sabala and Evan Petrovic, introduced by graduates Anthony Manriquez, Joaquin Sabala and Emmanuel Garcia-Loa.
The Class of 2026 was formally presented by Gray, with diplomas conferred by South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Superintendent Caroline Cota.
Senior student-athletes led the alma mater, including Alexander Macias-Delgado, Anthony Manriquez, Antonio Rodriguez-Garcia, Armando Villasenor, Dania Rodriguez, John Ruelas, Emmanuel Garcia-Loa, Eva Vicencio Preciado, Gizelle Huerta-Orduno, Hollyn Hearne, Johell Carrillo Diaz, Logan Ibarra, Roberto Mandujano, Stephanie Velasquez and Xienna Novoa.
Macias-Delgado and Garcia-Loa participated in the turning of the tassels, signaling the official transition from student to graduate, before the recessional closed the ceremony.
The Class of 2026 chose “Vienna” by Billy Joel as its class song and adopted KC Mustang Blue as its class color. Lilies served as the class flower.
The class motto, drawn from Stephen Chbosky’s novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” read: “We don’t get to choose where we come from, but we can choose where we go.”
