Hollister High graduates more than 800 students

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Hollister High School’s class of 2025 started high school just after the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in many remote events. On June 6, more than 800 students from the class celebrated their graduation in person. 

In her address at the ceremony, Senior Class President Avery Rocha emphasized her class’s resilience.

“We started middle school online and started high school without knowing what anyone’s faces looked like,” Rocha said. “There was an especially rough adjustment when the grading scale changed. We’ve gained and we’ve lost, but nevertheless we’ve persevered.”

In addition to the class itself, thousands of people came in support of the students. According to the school’s Instagram page, staff put out 8,000 chairs for the ceremony. 

“I’m really grateful that I was able to make it to graduation just because some people don’t have the chance to experience graduation,” said Scarlett Humphrey, a senior who gave the welcome address and also led a moment of silence honoring three of her classmates who died in a car crash earlier this year. 

Hollister High School District Superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum also highlighted the class’s dedication in his address. 

“I have been so impressed with your passion and sense of purpose these past four years. What started as hope and a belief to make a difference in your high school career has become a reality. You have fulfilled your promise with enthusiasm, spirit and resilience.”

Valedictorian Baron Alexandre Recht and Salutatorian Sabrina White Lim also spoke during the graduation ceremony.

The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour, United Way, Taylor Farms and the Emma Bowen Foundation.