Bear Creek High School honored 452 graduates from the Class of 2026 Wednesday at the Alex G. Spanos Center with a multilingual welcome, student speeches and recognition for academic and extracurricular achievements.
Student speakers welcomed families in several languages, including English, Bisayan, French, Hmong, Ilocano, Italian, Khmer, Lao, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog and Urdu, reflecting the diversity of the Stockton campus in the Lodi Unified School District.
The ceremony included a remembrance of student Shermiya Malbrough, who would have graduated with the Class of 2026 but died unexpectedly in September 2024. A seat among the graduates was left empty in her honor, marked with a blue and white wreath.
Senior speaker Robyn Jiles, wearing a blue cap and gown with a cord and sash, told graduates their high school years were defined by perseverance and community.
“If we’re being honest, there were definitely days we didn’t think we would make it to this moment,” Jiles said. “Days we were tired, days that we were stressed, days that we questioned ourselves, and for some of us, days that we almost gave up. But look at us now. We didn’t just make it through high school. We made it through Bear Creek because Bear Creek wasn’t just a school. It was an experience.”
Jiles reflected on school traditions, dances, assemblies and friendships while acknowledging that many students faced personal challenges during their time in high school.
“The truth is, we didn’t all have the same high school experience,” Jiles said. “Some of us had to grow up faster than others. Some of us faced challenges nobody else saw. Some of us had to fight just to make it to graduation, and that’s why today means something deeper than just walking across the stage. This moment is proof that no matter what we went through, we all kept going.”
Assistant Principal Maya Taylor announced six recipients of the school’s Senior of the Year honors: Kehinde Fakunie, Jovie Ford, Alejandra Mairena-Galo, Audrina Moreno, Christopher Nino and Laila Shelton.
“These amazing young people have been involved in various community organizations and completed countless hours of community service, not only at Bear Creek but in the greater Stockton community,” Taylor said. “They have earned admission to college campuses across the United States and been awarded many scholarships, and finally, they have truly demonstrated the Bruin way during their time at Bear Creek by always being prepared, respecting others, understanding and appreciating the diversity on our campus, interacting positively with all community members and, most importantly, never giving up.”
Valedictorian Ansley Chen, who plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall and major in molecular, cellular and developmental biology, encouraged graduates to think about the family, friends and other loved ones who supported them, including teachers, coaches and counselors. He also urged them to use their accomplishments to benefit their communities.
“Our success is communal,” Chen said. “The individual is indebted to the community, and it is owed to the community that the success of the individual must be applied to the mutual benefit.”
Senior class president Ella Choeun recounted the shared experiences that shaped the graduating class, including athletics, dances, rallies and everyday moments with classmates.
“The little moments we once took for granted — laughing in class, creating new friendships, walking to lunch with friends or hearing the final bell ring — are now the moments we’ll miss the most,” Choeun said. “Somewhere along the way, Bear Creek became more than just a school. It became a home to a family filled with memories, growth, friendships, experiences and legacies that contributed to piecing our journey together.”
Principal Julie Hummel praised the graduating class for its growth, perseverance and resilience.
“Class of 2026, you are unforgettable,” Hummel said. “You have shown us how to lead with heart, adapt with grace and dream without limits. You are ambitious, motivated, sincere, compassionate, outgoing and true leaders within our school community. Throughout your time here, you have demonstrated not only academic determination, but also kindness toward one another and pride in your school.”
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas for the Class of 2026 by Superintendent Neil Young and the presentation of graduates by Hummel.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Bear Creek High School honors 452 graduates at Class of 2026 commencement
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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