By Heather McRea | hmcrea@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Maya Culpepper reacts as she displays her diploma to her family sitting in the stands during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family members attempt to get photos of their graduate during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A tearful Natalie Castro, right, is overcome with emotion as she embraces her friend Kimberly Hernandez after seeing her for the first time in two years following the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Luis Ruiz, center, joins other graduates in making the K-symbol with their fingers during as school’s alma mater is played at the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jayda Bellows, left, gets a hug from fellow graduate Audrey Choi after receiving their diplomas during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Union High School District trustee Brian O’Neal, high-fives students at the conclusion of the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bagpiper Richard Cook opens the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Madi Fontanilla, center, joins other graduates as they cheer for a classmate as they announce their name during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man cheers as his graduating child’s name is announced during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Aryen Lita Mariano reacts after receiving her diploma during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hannah Hughes, center, sings “I Believe” with Kennedy Singers during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Faith Hinrichs gets a fist bump after receiving her diploma during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lakan Majarreis gives the thumbs up after receiving his diploma during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
In honor and remembrance of longtime Anaheim Union High School District trustee Anna Piercy, who died earlier this month, is placed on a chair at the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Luis Ruiz makes the K-symbol with his fingers as he joins fellow graduates during the school’s alma mater at the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Graduates celebrate at the conclusion of the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Faith Hinrichs reacts after receiving her diploma during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rama Altawarah gives a speech titled “Our Next Chapter,” during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Graduates Armistice Hollins, left, and Darius Hudson pose for a photo after the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julian Rosas gives a speech titled “Forever is Composed of Now,” during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Madi Fontanilla reacts after receiving her diploma during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A photo of the face of graduate Madi Fontanilla shades her older sister Maliya Ninofranco as she checks her phone before the start of the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Faith Hinrichs, left, and Hannah Hughes, right, scream with their friends name is announced during the 2024 Kennedy High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Anaheim Union High School District’s Kennedy High handed diplomas to the members of its graduating Class of 2024 on Thursday, May 23.
A commencement ceremony at Handel Stadium drew families and friends who cheered as the graduates walked across the stage, markingthe end of their high school careers and the beginning of their bright futures.
