East Union High’s graduation ceremony Thursday was about remembering and remembrance.

Remembrance was for Aliyah Lopez, who died last December. A seat in her memory along with a section saved for her family were set aside during the special event held at Dino Cunial Field.

Senior class treasure Damian Gonzalez, who was one of several student speakers, provided special recognition for retiring personnel while saying goodbye to Principal Raul Mora, who is moving on and will be replaced by EU alum Eric Simoni.

Valedictorian Celeste Guerrero thanked her family, in particular, her parents for “help me be the best version of myself.” She’ll be attending New York University in the fall.

Mora had the honors of presenting the Class of 2022 for the awarding of their diplomas.

Prior to that, the classmates made their way to midfield seating area, filing in during the processional led by Camelot Court, an EU graduation tradition that dates back to 1985.

Senior class Vice President Gavin Silva and ASB President Mitch Lill led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Senior choir members’ Ian Gaynor, Freya Lake, Eduardo Linares, Theint Wunna and Jessica Zemar performed the Stars Spangled Banner.

Other graduation highlights included senior class President Melissa Gonzales welcoming those in attendance, class secretary Cynthia Gonzalez giving a history of the Camelot Court, salutatorian and John Hopkins University-bound Danielle Stengel addressing the class, and Alexa Ochoa having the honors of doing the senior speech.

Graduation was another cherished memory shared by the classmates.