News Summary
Graduation season has arrived in the Coachella Valley, with schools commemorating the achievements of their students. Events include ceremonies at Cal State San Bernardino, local high school honors, and a spotlight on notable student achievements. La Quinta High School is renaming its football field and gymnasium to honor influential figures. Additionally, the Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts celebrate significant milestones for their graduating classes, highlighting the impact of education in the community.
Coachella Valley – Graduation season has kicked off in the Coachella Valley as schools celebrate the achievements of their students, marking the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. The schools and universities in the area are set to recognize their graduates with ceremonies, highlighting both individual accomplishments and community contributions.
Cal State San Bernardino Ceremonies
Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus is gearing up for its spring commencement, taking place on May 16-17 at the Toyota Arena in Ontario. Approximately 3,100 students from both the Palm Desert and San Bernardino campuses are anticipated to participate in the ceremonies, celebrating their hard-earned degrees.
Among the graduations, the Watson College of Education will achieve a milestone by graduating 20 students from its educational leadership doctoral program, setting a new record for the university.
Local High Schools’ Honoring Traditions
La Quinta High School is making significant changes to honor its past by renaming its football field to Armstrong Field in recognition of Dan Armstrong, the school’s first athletic director and a prominent football coach. Armstrong dedicated over 23 seasons to leading the Blackhawks, securing 10 Desert Valley League titles and two CIF championships. His mentorship influenced the careers of over 30 student-athletes who proceeded to play college football.
In a similar vein, the La Quinta High School gymnasium will be renamed in memory of Tom Jenkins, a former teacher and wrestling coach who was instrumental in establishing a successful wrestling program at the school.
Notable Student Achievements
Nehemiah Johnson, a student from Nellie Coffman Middle School, has gained prominence through the Young Creators Student Film Program. He was discovered on Instagram and has secured a role in a Hollywood film as the son of actor Mekhi Phifer. The yet-untitled action-suspense film has a viewer discretion warning aimed at younger audiences.
Irene Hernandez, a standout student from Coachella Valley High School, is recognized not just for her academic excellence but also for her extensive community service. She has volunteered at health clinics and assisted elderly patients. After graduation, Hernandez will pursue a nursing degree at CSU San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus on a full-ride scholarship, aspiring to become a dermatologist and serve her local community.
Celebrations Across School Districts
The Desert Sands Unified School District commemorated the achievements of its Class of 2024 seniors from the summer school program, recognizing 53 students who successfully completed their credits. The graduation ceremony featured presentations from school leaders emphasizing values such as determination, resilience, and the significance of education.
Moreover, Coachella Valley Unified School District’s La Familia High School celebrated a historic milestone as it honored its largest graduating class, comprising 88 students. The ceremony, held at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, highlighted the importance of ongoing support for graduates as they transition to new opportunities, reaffirming education’s lasting relevance beyond graduation.
As the Coachella Valley embraces this season of celebration and recognition, schools are not only honoring the accomplishments of their students but also instilling a sense of community and support that will last well into the future.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Palm Springs: Donation Pays Off Wichita Seniors’ Lunch Debt
- Desert Sun: Coachella Valley High Grad Plans to Stay in Her Community
- Desert Sun: Desert Sands Unified School District Hosts Summer Graduation
- Wikipedia: Graduation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Graduation
