Four-hundred and twenty-eight seniors clad in green gowns graced the renovated Guss Schmiedt Field for the 104th commencement ceremony Friday at Manteca High.

It was a welcome sight for the Buffaloes after the previous class held its graduation at the University of the Pacific while the stadium underwent the facelift.

Videos featuring some of the seniors were played on the state-of-the-art scoreboard, as families packed into the stands leading up to the processional.

Class president Alejandra Valdovinos delivered the welcome speech, telling her fellow seniors, “I can definitely say I am proud to be your classmates. … I am very blessed to call you my fellow graduates.”

Cal-bound valedictorian Yok Chai Ma and salutatorian Emma Ngo, headed to San Diego State, addressed the grads, sharing memories, shouting out friends, family, coaches and teachers, while offering words of wisdom. Both were standout tennis players for four years at Manteca High.

“The beginning of our high school career was scary, and the ending is sad,” Ngo said, adding that it was “all worth it.”

There were late arrivals who were among the last to walk the graduation stage. Last but not least was Joshua Mellion, who proudly wore a medal earned just hours prior in the Sac-Joaquin Masters Track & Field Meet in Folsom. He placed second in the discus throw and qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships.

Student body president Alyssa Carvajal led the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the ceremony and later returned to the stage to acknowledge Manteca High alumni in attendance.

Carson Ainsworth, Aryana Johnson and Sydney Snyder led the singing of the school fight song.

Certifying and accepting the class were Principal Megan Peterson and Board Trustee Marie Freitas, respectively. Counselors Rocio Carrillo, Wayne Cheung, Janeen George, Kimberly Martinez, Frank Triglia and Melissa Woods presented the graduating class.