Graduates from Lincoln High School and Village Oaks High School were encouraged to value human connection in an increasingly technology-driven world during commencement for the Class of 2026.
School leaders, students and families gathered Thursday at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in Stockton to celebrate Lincoln High School and Village Oaks High School graduates. A total of 707 students from both schools participated in the ceremony, including 646 from Lincoln and 61 from Village Oaks, according to Lincoln Unified School District spokesperson Tyler Heberle.
In opening remarks, administrators recognized the board of trustees, district officials, teachers and staff. Lincoln Principal Katherine Bender and Village Oaks Principal Kendall Irey then addressed graduates about their futures after high school, including college, trade school, military service and entering the workforce.
“Today marks a significant milestone in your lives,” Irey said. “I am sure you are filled with a myriad of emotions as you look toward your future — maybe some excitement, maybe a little fear, but hopefully you are feeling a sense of accomplishment. You have earned it.”
The speech focused on the role of artificial intelligence and technology in students’ daily lives and emphasized the importance of relationships and community.
“You are graduating into a world where you have access to absolutely anything and everything at a moment’s notice,” Bender said. “Think about a typical day. You’re in the mood for a Starbucks refresher, you DoorDash it. Don’t have a license, but want to head to the movies with friends, you Uber there. Need to cite a source or brainstorm a history project, you ChatGPT it.”
Bender said artificial intelligence has streamlined our lives, made businesses more efficient and made the seemingly impossible look easy. She also noted that Lincoln High School almost used an AI voice generator to read names across the stage Thursday, drawing boos from the crowd. Bender said district officials were convinced students “deserve the real thing.”
“While AI can write code, generate art and reimagine entire industries, there’s a boundary it cannot cross,” Irey said. “There are profound, essential parts of life where technology simply has no power. AI cannot replicate the friendships you have built over the last four years — the late-night laughs, the shared stress before finals and the core memories made at school events like senior sunrise and senior sunset.”
Graduates were reminded that technology cannot hold their hand through life’s heavy moments and does not know the ache of a first breakup or the complex, messy and sometimes overwhelming emotions of navigating teenage years.
Bender reflected on watching the Class of 2026 progress through all four years at Lincoln High and, for some students, through much of their education within Lincoln Unified School District.
“Class of 2026, you hold a very special place in my heart,” Bender said. “As the first class I’ve been able to watch journey through all four years of high school at Lincoln High, and for some of the students here tonight, I’ve been your principal for the last 13 years — from kindergarten to senior year — I’ve had the unique privilege of truly growing up alongside you. This is a rare and special kind of connection and a reminder of just how deeply schools and communities can shape one another over time.”
Irey said some graduates built community and found a sense of belonging at Lincoln High School, while others found that same connection at Village Oaks High School.
“Different campuses, different paths, but the same goal,” Irey said. “To ensure you were seen, supported, challenged and reminded that you belong within Lincoln Unified. That sense of community — the people who stood beside you, challenged you, laughed with you and refused to give up on you — could never be created by technology. It was built by human connection, trust and care.”
Lincoln High School’s senior class president Aiyana Escobar Walker also addressed classmates, calling high school “a wild ride” filled with “twists and turns worth celebrating.”
Walker commended school staff and families for supporting students throughout their education and praised the graduating class for its future potential.
“I’m not worried about what’s in store for us,” Walker said. “You guys are our future. Here we have tomorrow’s doctors, educators, lawyers and leaders striving to make our community a better place. It’s also important to remember to thank the people who got us here today. Thank that teacher who went out of their way to support you, and your parents and loved ones who watched you grow up and helped you through each step of your life.”
Walker also announced the senior class gift: a Lincoln-branded archway intended for use during school events for future students.
Before students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, administrators recognized Lincoln High School’s valedictorians Ishaan Ajay, Jared Chang, George Leopoldo Fujii and Ramya Rajah.
Administrators also recognized Lincoln High School’s distinguished senior scholars: Willana Ametin, Namiko Aoki, Esteban Barrera, Asher Fong, Jacob Gillig, Dayanira Gonzalez, Luana Hidalgo, Liam Huynh, Varun Kadiyala, Caelan Lane, Hollis Langham, Dylan Le, Daphne Low, Dariel Managalindan, Ethan Meek, Melanie Molina, Faith Nguyen, Finley Oakes, Julian Rayray, Brandon Rodriguez Velez, Rocco Sabino, Arielle Shin, Dylan Wargnier and Jaime Yen.
The ceremony concluded with a performance of the school alma mater by the Lincoln High School band and choir.
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: Lincoln, Village Oaks graduates urged to value human connection at commencement
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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