Christopher High senior Amari Bluford gives a thumbs up upon receiving his diploma at the June 6 commencement ceremony in Gilroy. Photo: Jonathan Natividad

More than 600 members of the Class of 2024 graduated from Gilroy and Christopher high schools last week, as the schools and their families send the teens into adulthood. 

Christopher High School’s graduation ceremony took place the evening of June 6 on the school’s Day Road campus. Gilroy High School’s commencement ceremony occurred June 7 at the campus’s Centennial Circle Quad on Tenth Street. 

Speakers at Christopher’s ceremony included ASB President Adanna Ihenancho, Senior Class President Aaron Singh, Principal Jeremy Dirks, Social Studies Teacher Darren Yafai, Class of 2024 Poet Laureate Elizabeth Van Sambeek, Salutatorian Joshua Jang and Valedictorian Lavender Hwang. 

In the Principal’s Address, Dirks offered the graduates some advice and wisdom as they move into the adult world, and promised he will remain available to help them on that journey.

“As you head off to your next chapter in life and things get rough, just know you have a solid foundation here, created by Christopher High School and Gilroy Unified School District,” Dirks said. “Make goals where you want to end up, constantly look at them and move toward them.

“If you’re not moving toward them, ask yourself why not, and try to obtain those goals you created for yourself. Move forward, even if it’s just a little bit at a time. Doing so will help you become the person you want to be, and that’s what life is all about.” 

Gilroy High School’s ceremony’s featured speakers included Valedictorian Madison Krejdovsky, Salutatorian Abigail Imerson, graduate Vanessa Moreno Cano and graduate Erin Castro. 

More than 100 graduates from both schools donned gold cords designating their Biliteracy Seal achievement, which is given to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages other than English. 

Gilroy High seniors Tiffani Ballin and Angelina Ayala show off their diplomas at the June 7 graduation ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Graduates from the Class of 2024 file into the June 6 ceremony at Christopher High School. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Confetti and joy filled the air at the conclusion of the Gilroy High School graduation ceremony on June 7. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Christopher High senior class president Aaron Singh and ASB president Adanna Ihenacho deliver the recognition of faculty and staff at the June 6 graduation ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Gilroy High Class of 2024 Valedictorian Madison Krejdovsky delivers her speech at the school’s June 7 commencement ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Members of the Christopher High Class of 2024 sing before the June 6 graduation ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Gilroy High Class of 2024 graduate Tyler Hodges gives Principal Greg Kapaku a big hug upon receiving his diploma at the June 7 ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
Christopher High Valedictorian Lavender Hwang addresses the Class of 2024 at the June 6 graduation ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Natividad
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Michael Moore is an award-winning journalist who has worked as a reporter and editor for the Morgan Hill Times, Hollister Free Lance and Gilroy Dispatch since 2008. During that time, he has covered crime, breaking news, local government, education, entertainment and more.

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