The East Union High Class of 2017 was proud to be part of the 50-year-old legacy.
At Friday’s graduation ceremony at Dino Cunial Field, classmates reflected on their past four years at the school.
“High school was the craziest and funniest times of our lives,” said salutatorian Jordan Barajas before a jam-packed stadium filled with plenty of applause for those 316 who received their diplomas.
He and valedictorian Emma Rice led the large group with plenty who are bound for four-year colleges and universities.
Rice will be attending the University of Southern California while Barajas is going to Stanford.
“We even have someone going to Yale,” he said, referring to soon-to-be-Ivy Leaguer Kaori West.
Barajas added: “When it came to hitting the books, the Class of 2017 produced plenty of winners.”
East Union kicked off this special event with the graduating class ushered in by the Camelot Maidens.
According to ASB President Raegan Wright, this is a tradition dating back to 1985.
The Camelot Maidens are the honored junior girls nominated by their English teachers, Wright said.
Back then, Dick Durham was the principal. He was the special guest at graduation and a member of the East Union 50th anniversary committee.
“The last time I spoke at graduation was 1992. I might be a little bit rusty,” said Durham, who was principal from 1975 to 1992.
Rice, who introduced by senior class secretary Jenna Zuniga, remembered her first year at East Union.
“It was 2013 and we were naive freshmen,” she said.
They came a long way since.
“The fact that you’re sitting here today means you are successful,” Rice said to her classmates.
Principal Raul Mora took great pride in pride in presenting the class to Manteca Unified Deputy Superintendent Roger Goatcher, who accepted the large group for awarding of diplomas.
On hand were honored guests consisting of school board President Stephen Schluer, Vice President Bob Wallace, Trustee Kathy Howe, and former school board member Deborah Romero.
Earlier, Durham invited families and friends to join in the celebration with the graduates at midfield at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“Lancers lead, others follow,” he said.