The Academy for Academic Excellence celebrated 107 senior Knights, who received diplomas during a commencement ceremony on Friday night at High Desert Church in Victorville.
The 29th annual commencement ceremony for the Apple Valley-based school included inspirational messages, live musical performances, and plenty of hugs and tears.
President/CEO Lisa Lamb of the Lewis Center for Educational Research in Apple Valley and Principal Chet Richards congratulated the class of 2026, which included:
Richard invited co-valedictorians Joya Dutta and Tanish Ganapavarapu and their parents on stage to be recognized. Co-salutatorians Ward Halwani and Alhamza Hamza, and their parents, were also celebrated.
‘Somehow, we made it’
Tanish told his fellow classmates that during graduation, most see the caps, the gowns, the pictures and the smile.
“What they don’t always see is the work behind this moment,” Tanish said. “They don’t see the pressure of trying to balance grades, friendships, family, sports, jobs, and figuring out who we are. And somehow, we made it. That alone deserves an applause.”
Tanish said as the graduates move forward on different paths, they need to understand that there is “no single path to success and there never has been.”
He encouraged the class not to fit into a lane that already exists, but to create their own way.
‘Courage, generosity and honor’
Joya told her classmates that the most important thing Academy for Academic Excellence taught them wasn’t in the classroom, but in resilience.
“To get back up no matter how many times we have failed,” Joya said.
She said since kindergarten, Academy for Academic Excellence students have been instilled with the values of “Courage, generosity and honor,” which the class of 2026 embodies.
Joya said that moving forward in college, the military and life, graduates should not allow any place or institution to define their story.
“Let it be a new chapter in your book as we are closing our chapter here at AAE tonight,” she added.
Joya and Tanish also thanked their parents, family, friends, teachers, counselors, staff and facility for their support.
‘A Million Dreams’
During the ceremony, the song “Out of Tune” was performed by the band Hibiscus Hotline, composed of seniors Sahara Dawson, Jacob Cardozo and Desmond Lascaibar.
Senior Elizabeth Chapman also sang the tune “A Million Dreams” and Senior Class President Kaiden Hale opened the event with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The school’s Space Force JROTC, AAE Knights Band, and recognition of AAE alumni in military service were also included.
The “AAE Graduation Class of 2026” video can be viewed on the Lewis Center Public Relations YouTube channel.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Academy for Academic Excellence presents shining Knights with diplomas
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
