Nearly 400 members of the Class of 2026 graduated June 12 from Christopher High School in Gilroy.
The commencement ceremony took place at 6:30pm in the campus quad off Day Road.
After the CHS choir sang the national anthem, student speakers featured during the ceremony includes Alexa Solis Correa; class President Nicolas Corvi; Gilroy Unified School Board representative Mackenzie Mendoza-Magallanes; Poet Laureate Jonelle Ward; Salutatorian Elijah Thrushmurillo; and Valedictorian Joey Jang.
Christopher High Principal Jeremy Dirks, teacher Ben Vega and GUSD Superintendent Anisha Munshi also delivered encouraging, thankful and congratulatory remarks.
“For many of us, sitting here does not only represent finishing high school, but shows the resilience and the strength we have built to overcome the hard days, never-ending nights and tests that make you question your entire future and if education really is for you,” Thrushmurillo said in the Salutatory Address.
Jang—the valedictorian as well as a recipient of the Golden State Merit Diploma, member of the Computer Science Academy and a varsity golfer—congratulated his classmates. He also advised the graduates to avoid being caught up in the rat race that comes from comparing achievements and constantly chasing changing ideas of success.
“True fulfillment doesn’t come from being the best. It comes from being the best version of ourselves for others,” Jang said. “It comes when we use our unique gifts to spread kindness, even if it’s just a small gesture to brighten someone’s day. When we let go of our desire to be extravagant, we can be a positive impact for those in communities we care about most.”
