Milestone moments were celebrated, along with grit and perseverance, on the Maple High School lawn Wednesday afternoon.Ā Ā
The continuation school for students in the Lompoc Valley graduated a record 67 in its Class of 2019. Additionally, two students were accepted into California universities -- Elizabeth Ward, UC Santa Cruz and Michael Macias, San Jose State -- a first in several years for Maple, according to Principal Katy Wallace.Ā
Wallace beamed with pride as she described milestones for the school that draws about 150 students annually.Ā
āMostly, I feel a lot of pride for the kids and for the school,ā Wallace said. āToday, Iām thinking of how proud I am of every single one of them.ā
Maple High School, located in Vandenberg Village, has been selected as a Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education.
Wallace has served as principal for three years on the campus. Last year, there were 60 graduates, which was a previous record. But during this breezy Wednesday afternoon, Wallace marveled at an even higher success rate. She also lauded her students for overcoming personal setbacks and tribulations to graduate.Ā
āThese kids are the success story. Theyāre the definition of grit and perseverance,ā Wallace said.
During her graduation speech, student body representative Isabella Nipper admitted she once isolated herself from everyone. But once she arrived at Maple, she told the crowd she came out of her shell and formed a bond with her teachers and classmates.Ā Ā Ā
āBefore I came to Maple I was shy, introverted and had no drive towards my future because of my past trauma. Unmotivated, depressed and burning with self-hate was how I would describe myself,ā Nipper said while fighting back tears. āBut now, Iām doing great things. I just graduated in the youth leadership of Lompoc Valley, I attended the Rotary youth leadership awards and Iām currently running for Flower Festival queen. What has happened to me doesnāt define me but can strengthen me.ā
When Cabrillo High School holds its graduation ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, it will mark the end of one chapter for Blake Settje and usher in another that will take him across the country to formally begin his service career at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Jessica Lopez, Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) student speaker, spoke of her struggles being a single mom and thanked her grandmother.
āThank you for raising me and my sister as if we were your own. And thank you so much for taking care of my baby each and every day while attending Maple,ā Lopez said through tears. āI couldnāt have done this without you.ā
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Gabby Gonzalez spoke on behalf of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. She praised Maple for changing her life.
āThis school is mostly known for dropouts and bad kids. I know many people believe that, but my time here has opened my eyes. It has shown me what hard work and dedication can get you,ā Gonzalez said. āTo me, Maple is a place where you can redefine yourself as a student and find the push you need to motivate yourself.ā

Student speaker Isabella Nipper pauses for emotion during Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
Macias, who once attended Cabrillo High, had to overcome family challenges to solidify his future with San Jose State. He was accepted in January and plans to study biochemical engineering plus pursue medical school after obtaining his degree.
āI had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of personal strife. But I never let that stop me,ā Macias said following the ceremony. āI had to move out of my house at a young age. I continued to pick up where I left off by living with my grandparents. They and my aunt helped me.ā
Macias arrived at Maple during his senior season. Like Gonzalez, Macias will leave with a new perspective of the school.
āI was like āI didnāt want to go to Mapleā and will figure out some other alternative. I thought everyone here was ghetto or a gangbanger. But I came here and the people I met were nothing but nice and polite. This graduation, I think, changes the whole stereotype and image of Maple,ā Macias said.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Ketara Mangino dances after receiving her diploma during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Uziel Cassio gets a hug from Principal Katy Wallace during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Graduate Gabreayala Gonzalez receives her diploma from Principal Katy Wallace during Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
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Graduate Adrian Estrada is congratulated after Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
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Graduate Eliska Prochazka receives her seal of biliteracy during Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Keionte Siler is congratulated after he received his diploma during Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
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Student speaker Isabella Nipper pauses for emotion during Maple High School's commencement on Wednesday in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Gifts wait for Maple High School's graduates before the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Devin Leininger gets a hug from Principal Katy Wallace during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Jessica Lopez texts before Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Graduate Samantha Xiong receives a scholarship from Ken Ostini, of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Isabella Nipper gets a hug from Principal Katy Wallace during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Student speaker Serena Lavelle walks the stage during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Isaac Chavez celebrates during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Confetti flies as Brenda Lara receives her diploma from Principal Katy Wallace during Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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Maple High School's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, in Vandenberg Village.
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