Hundreds of Lakewood High School Lancers graduated Tuesday at Veterans Stadium, enduring a heatwave that saw temperatures reach into the low 90s.
In all, 660 Lancers graduated during the ceremony Tuesday afternoon, including 87 who earned highest honors for having a GPA over 4.0. Additionally, 127 students earned high honors for a GPA between 3.5 and 4 and 154 students earned honors for a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49. Overall, 56% of the class graduated with a 3.0 or better.
“Being able to bring the kids back for graduation has been a blessing,” Principal Mona Merlo said. “Last year when we shut down, we mourned the Class of 2020—they didn’t get prom, they didn’t get grad night, they didn’t get graduation. We did the drive-thru. They didn’t get the grand finale. For this senior class to not get the whole year and then get the grand finale, I’m just so grateful.”
The school awarded 405 college and career readiness medallions, 438 Advanced Placement stole recognitions and 326 medallions for students who completed a CTE sequence. The class also earned a total of more than $25.86 million in scholarships.
Eleven students were honored as valedictorians: Macy Lakey, Sophie Vikram, Samantha De Castro, Shady Ibrahim, Katherine Villanueva, Emmalie Miner, Ashley Bolter, Dennys Rodriguez, Miguel Luis Martinez, Narik Heang and Nina Draffen.
Five other students were honored as salutatorians, having just fallen short of the valedictorian status: Eric Eang, Brandon Lee, Madison Ngyen, Lharmona Lemouth and Andrei Salazar.