Thriving Together
Laguna Blanca School Celebrates Its 'Small But Mighty' Class of 2021
By Brooke Holland, Noozhawk Staff Writer
Proud graduates wearing flower leis celebrated their commencement ceremony in person Wednesday at Laguna Blanca School’s campus in Hope Ranch.
Proud graduates wearing flower leis celebrated their commencement ceremony in person Wednesday at Laguna Blanca School’s campus in Hope Ranch.
The Class of 2021 has 32 graduates, according to Laguna Blanca officials.
Maskless smiles were in abundance at Laguna Blanca’s Upper School in Santa Barbara as the students celebrated the hard-earned milestone of high school graduation.
Head of School Rob Hereford welcomed the attendees to Laguna Blanca's 87th commencement ceremony.
Family members were seated in chairs spaced apart on the school’s athletic fields during the graduation.
Hereford recognized the school’s teachers, campus assistants and staff, saying, “These essential frontline workers took a risk, and they believed in our community’s ability to carry out the major protocols and procedures we implemented in order to minimize risk of our collective health.”
He also provided remarks to the graduating seniors and awarded diplomas to members of the graduating Class of 2021.
“I don’t need to review all of the challenges that you faced during your high school years,” Hereford said. “It’s clearly a lot. But what stood out to me about this class as you faced this latest challenge was your willingness to do whatever it took to be back on campus, so you can have in-person instruction.
“Part of that was driven by your desire to be with your classmates. … It was about getting to be in the presence of your adored teachers.”
Hereford said he’s excited for the students’ bright future ahead.
He told the Class of 2021 that he’s “thankful for all that you did to help us stay in person this year, and for your leadership by example for our younger students, but I’m most thankful for your appreciation of your instructors and all that they’ve done for you in your Upper School years.”
Finnegan Walker, a member of the Class of 2021 and student body president, provided the student address at the commencement.
“Well, Class of 2021, we made it,” Walker said. “We survived the long, four years of high school, and now it’s finally time to let go, celebrate your hard work, your dedication, your resilience that we showed as a class of 32 students.
“Small but mighty. Our class is standing ready to graduate and move on in the next step in our journey. Leaving our community of friends, teachers and family behind, all while being grateful for their love and never-ending support.”
Head of Upper School Melissa Alkire presented awards to the valedictorian Hongwen ("Lucas") Chen and salutatorian Ziqian ("Violet") Zhou.
Laguna Blanca faculty member Erik Faust was selected by the senior class to deliver the commencement address.
Families and friends who were unable to attend the in-person commencement ceremony could watch a livestream on Zoom.
Laguna Blanca School, with campuses in Hope Ranch and Montecito, is a nonprofit, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in early kindergarten through 12th grade.
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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.