Class of 2024 finishes high school

By Emme Hogge, Managing Editor

As summer break approaches and the El Camino class of 2024 celeberates their graduation, seniors are kept busy with end-of-the-year events and ceremonies.

Senior Awards Night was held May 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Performing Arts Center to honor high-achieving EC seniors.

Senior Awards began with a recognition of all Link Crew leaders and Senior Class and Student Body President Awards. Following this were the Department Awards, which are presented to the students who perform exceptionally well in a specific subject. These were presented by a representative from each department.

After the Department Awards, The Eagle Polytechnic Institute Awards and State Seal of Civic Engagement were presented. State Seal of Civic Engagement is awarded to students who demonstrate an excellent understanding of civic knowledge, skills and action.

California Scholarship Federation, which recognizes students with high academic standards, and the Lyceum Awards, which recognize both student’s grades and participation in the school and community were presented next.

The last of the awards came with the awarding of both the Academic Top 10 and Valedictorians. Academic Top 10 consist of seniors who performed the best academically out of the entire senior class. Valedictorians, however, are students who must have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and completed a minimum of 10 one year honors courses, at least five of which are Advanced Placement courses. This year, EC had four valedictorians; Kate Ainley- Zole (‘24), Danielle Tomlinson (‘24), Madelyn Sevigny (‘24).

After the awards were the Presentation of Scholarships. EC seniors had the opportunity to apply for many different scholarships which each offer a different amount of money and have different requirements and criteria.

The scholarships began with The Captain Joseph Schultz Scholarships, Parent Teacher Student Associations Scholarships, and other memorial scholarships. The ceremony ended with the Boosters Scholarships.

Counselor and one of the MCs of Awards Nights Nelda Mackey explained why she believes Awards Night is important to seniors.

“[They’ve] worked really hard for four years–and being recognized for your hard work and achievements is important,” Mackey said.

The class of 2024 graduated on May 31 at 7:30 pm on the football field.

The Honor Guard, which are the top 10 academic performing juniors, lead the seniors onto the field. The ceremony began with a speech from Principal Evelyn Welborn. Following this was a speech from Hewad Ahmadzai (‘24) titled “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” a musical solo of the song “Rise Up” by Andra Day from Luwam Naizghi (‘24), and a speech from Audrey Chandler (‘24) titled “We Did It!”