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.

A student chugs water to beat the heat during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Lakewood High School Principal Mona Merlo addresses the class of 2021 during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A student dons a Mexican flag during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Wyatt Coats, 18, adjusts his robe in the reflective glasses of his friend Ryan Lavoie, 17, before the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
The Madrigals singers hold up Ls with their fingers as they sing the Lakewood alma mater during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Lakewood High School Principal Mona Merlo fist bumps the final student during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Ralph Siemsen directs the Madrigals singers during the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Joshua Zoe Marie Baladad, in white, embraces Chan Moneneath Chour, at the end of the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A student blows up a beach ball he snuck into the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A student who snuck in a beach balls hits it into the crowd of his peers during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Co-Valedictorian Sophie Vikram reads a poem during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Seeking a repreive from the heatwave, many families brough umbrellas to the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
The Madrigals sing “Come Alive” from the musical “The Greatest Showman” during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Lakewood High School Principal Mona Merlo asked the classes’ 11 valedictorians to stand during the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Giovanni Garcia’s family decorates their van in the parking lot of Veterans Stadium before the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Eric Vega, 18, right, fans his friendMaritza Vasquez, 17, with his cap before the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Justin Chavez, 17, helps his girlfriend Roxanne Nguyen, 17, put four medals over her cap, which was already bobby pinned in place ahead of the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
A mom helps her daughter get ready in the parking lot ahead of the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Chan Moneneath Chour, left, Joshua Zoe Marie Baladad, center, and Chamroeun Chan throw their caps in the air at the end of the Lakewood High School graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

Brandon Richardson is a reporter and photojournalist for the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal.