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Clear skies. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..
Clear skies. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: June 5, 2025 @ 4:56 pm
The Class of 2025 turns their tassels from right to left at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 enter Dunlavy Field at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4.
Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education principal Robert Mayben speaks to the audience during graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education counselor Andrea Vera-Reyna presents scholarships during graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Lawrence Beenblossom is presented the “Elks Helping Hands Award” scholarship by Todd Simonson during the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Cathie Peacock presents scholarships on behalf of the Sonora Sunrise Rotary during the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 receives its diplomas at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 shakes hands with dignitaries at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 lines up to have their names called at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The crowd watches the Class of 2025 enter Dunlavy Field at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4.
The Class of 2025 turns their tassels from right to left at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 enter Dunlavy Field at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4.
Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education principal Robert Mayben speaks to the audience during graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education counselor Andrea Vera-Reyna presents scholarships during graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Lawrence Beenblossom is presented the “Elks Helping Hands Award” scholarship by Todd Simonson during the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
Cathie Peacock presents scholarships on behalf of the Sonora Sunrise Rotary during the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 at Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 receives its diplomas at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 shakes hands with dignitaries at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The Class of 2025 lines up to have their names called at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4 on Dunlavy Field.
The crowd watches the Class of 2025 enter Dunlavy Field at the Sonora Union High School District Alternative Education graduation on Wednesday, June 4.
The theme of the evening Wednesday at Dunlavy Field was resilience as the Sonora Union High School District celebrated the Class of 2025 with the alternative education graduation.
Eighty-seven students received their diplomas as 23 came from Dario Cassina High School, 34 hailed from Theodore Bird High School and 30 attended the Sonora Adult School.
“You’ve all made it to the finish line, but let’s be honest, for some of you guys, there were moments when the day felt like it may have been out of reach,” Principal Robert Mayben said. “Many of you came when graduation was something that was pretty far away. You’ve all been able to get there tonight.
“Here you are sitting in those caps and gowns, which you guys look great by the way, proving to yourself and everybody around you that you guys did it, you’re here!”
Following years of hard work, 22 scholarships amounting to $23,850 in total were awarded to graduates.
Counselor Andrea Vera-Reyna presented Lillian Ramos of Theodore Bird with $1,000 from the American Association of University Women, which is “a scholarship given to graduating young women to encourage and support their continuing education.”
Sage Inman and Triston McFadden from Theodore Bird each earned $1,000 from Cathie Peacock of the Sonora Sunrise Rotary, which is “given to students who feel that he or she qualifies as ‘most improved,’ either academically or socially.”
Vera-Reyna awarded $500 to Julian Grenland of Dario Cassina with the Ron Arington Memorial Agriculture Scholarship, “in honor of an admired Sonora High School teacher whose favorite saying was, ‘If you’re lucky enough to live in the mountains, you’re lucky enough.’ ”
Briana Hicks from Dario Cassina was presented $500 from Vera-Reyna with the Molly Burgess Memorial scholarship, “in honor of Molly Burgess, an individual who loved helping others and was taken too soon in her life.”
Vera-Reyna awarded $300 to Damien Lillie of Theodore Bird with the Women’s Democratic Coalition scholarship, which is “given by the Women’s Democratic Coalition to a graduate going on to college or trade school.”
Lillie, Andrew Landes from Dario Cassina and Bodie McHenry of Sonora Adult earned $100, respectively, from Todd Simonson of the Sonora Elks Lodge. The Elks Honor Grad Scholarship was presented to the trio because “these students have stood out as role models through academic achievement, hard work and respect for others.”
Simonson presented Lawrence Beenblossom from Sonora Adult with $100 and the Elks Helping Hands Award scholarship, “awarded to a student going directly into the workforce and is overall a good human.”
Alex Reyes of Theodore Bird earned $1,000 and the Sonora High School Foundation Scholarship from Vera-Reyna, “given by the Sonora High School non-profit foundation, this scholarship is based on participation in school and community activities.”
Will Birdsong presented David Lario from Theodore Bird with $400 and the Stogies Gold Country Lounge scholarship, which “the owners of this Jamestown business donate all tips back to the community in various ways, given to a student to help follow their passion.”
Inman, Andrew Ange from Dario Cassina and Danielle Lario-Kerzich of Sonora Adult were each awarded $300 from Vera-Reyna for the Tuolumne Deputy Sheriffs’ Association scholarship, which was “given to a student who has demonstrated hard work and resiliency.”
Six students received $300 and the Jamestown Elementary Scholarship from Patty Aguiar: Harry Bergman, Mallory Johnson and Jason Miller of Dario Cassina; and Lopaka Ell-Peterson, Dane Hager and Austin Rown from Theodore Bird.
“Given by the Jamestown Elementary School Board to students who completed eighth grade at Jamestown Elementary School, graduated from high school and plan to go on to college,” Aguiar said.
Vera-Reyna presented Taya Winstead of Theodore Bird with $2,500 and the Lydia Koelzow Memorial scholarship, which is “given in honor of former Theodore Bird student Lydia Koelzow to help a student pursuing a career in the medical field or fire services and have overcome adversity.”
Joshua Anderson from Dario Cassina was given $100 from Christy Hammerbeck of Sonora High Transportation for being “a student who provided a short summary about how riding the Sonora High School bus has affected them.”
The next seven scholarships were presented by Peacock from the Sonora Area Foundation.
Lillie received $1,000 and the James O. Dale Vocational Scholarship, which is “given to a graduate continuing their education in a vocational pathway.”
Aisslyn Aldrete of Theodore Bird earned $1,500 and the Jack Casinetto Memorial Art Scholarship, which is “given in honor of Sonoran native oil painter, Jack Casinetto, for a student pursuing a formal art education program.”
Lario received $2,000 and the Chimenti Family Scholarship, which is “given to help a student who plans to further their education at college, vocational or trade school.”
Cody Osborne from Sonora Adult was presented with $2,000 and the Lyle R. Scott Vocational scholarship, which is “given to a graduate who is continuing their education in a vocational pathway.”
Ange, Grenland, Hicks and Vivian Phillips of Dario Cassina each earned $500 and the Dan Imfeld Scholarship.
“Mr. Imfeld is very active in the community, working with several non-profit organizations, and has taken an interest in our students and helping them to further their education,” Peacock said.
Tristan Adams of Theodore Bird received $500 and the Liz Bass Memorial Scholarship, which was “given in honor of Liz Bass, who was the principal of Dario Cassina High School, Ted Bird High School and Sonora Adult School for 23 years. Liz enjoyed students who were good natured, hard-working and got the job done!”
Adams was also presented with $250 and the Vicki White P.E.O. Memorial Scholarship.
“P.E.O. was founded in 1869 as an organization ‘that exists to be a source of encouragement and support for women to realize their potential in whatever worthwhile endeavor they choose,’ ” Peacock said. “This scholarship is given in loving memory of a wonderful Theodore Bird High School teacher and P.E.O. Chapter XB member.”
Phillips and Rown each received $1,000 and the Every Student Succeeding Award from Mayben, which “honors students of all grade levels who have overcome adversity and succeeded against all odds.”
Mayben presented Landes with $1,200 and the Lucille Arnold Incentive scholarship, which is “given through the Sonora Area Foundation to a student who has fought hard to succeed in school.”
After all the awards were distributed, each student had their name announced to the crowd, where they walked across the Wildcats’ gridiron to receive a diploma.
The ceremony concluded with each graduate turning the tassel on their graduation cap from right to left, before exiting towards the scoreboard at Dunlavy Field.
“Each of you has had your own journey to get to this point,” Mayben said. “Some of the paths were rocky, uphill or took a few unexpected turns. No matter what, you keep showing up and pushing forward, which is what makes this night so special. You showed grit, determination and heart. You’ve overcome a lot, both in and out of the classrooms.”
Contact Shaun Holkko at sholkko@uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4526. Follow him on Instagram and X at @shaun_holkko
Dario Cassina High School
Joshua Anderson
Andrew Ange
Taven Barlow
Harry Bergman
Johnnie Davis
Tim Erway
Axel Glaser
Julian Grenland
Andrea Herring Johnson
Briana Hicks
Nathan Imhoff
Mallory Johnson
Andrew Landes
Talan Magdaleno
Jason Miller
Brandon Newquist
Jesus Padilla
Vivian Phillips
Aaron Romeo
Cooper Ryan
Haleigh Stover
Aiden Ulmer
Jason Whitaker
Theodore Bird High School
Tristan Adams
Aisslyn Aldrete
Ayden Porter Arechiga
Shelby Brenner
Emily Caldrea
Sage Carothers
Aften Carter
Tori Dambacher
Charles Dominquez
Hailey Dudney
Lopaka Eli-Peterson
Melody Gull
Dane Hager
Sage Inman
Avery Johnson
Sam King
David Lario
Damien Lillie
Soren Mathers
Triston McFadden
Madison Naylor
Cristina Ornelas Gonzalez
Natalie Pfeiffer
Lillian Ramos
Alex Reyes
Austin Rown
Bradley Silva
Audrey Slawinsky
Landon Smith
Cameron Staudenmaier
Dylan Thomas
Tanner Webber
Tyler Webber
Taya Winstead
Sonora Adult School
Michael Anderson
Erica Babbitt
Nathan Batey
Lawrence Beenblossom
Jason Bell
Logan Benicki
Eann Carroll
Adrian Casillas
Edgar Casillas
Daniel Cavanagh
Chris Douglass
Lauren Doyle
Mari Giggee
Danielle Lario-Kerzich
Dana McCurley
Bonnie McCurry
Bodie McHenry
Kayden Nevel
Cody Osborne
Joseph Scialabba
Angel Shaw-Eubanks
Robert Slawinsky
William Smith
Cloe Souza
Susan Steele
Jessica Sutton
Joseph Tapia
James Wester
Iain Williams
Jon Wivell
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