The Class of 2021 celebrated their graduation on Saturday, May 29 at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Center. Due to the petition drafted by Student Council Executive President Hart Black ’21 and Alayna Pelayo ’21, a traditional graduation ceremony was able to take place along with a separate non-traditional Commencement Walk later that day.

Standing together, Laurel Mountain Elementary Principal Doriane Marvel, Kathy Caraway Elementary Principal Larissa Ortiz, Anderson Mill Elementary Principal Amanda Molina, Purple Sage Elementary Principal Sara Nelson, Canyon Vista Middle School Principal Nicole Hagerty, and Westwood High School Principal Dr. Mario Acosta pose for a picture. The Elementary and Middle school teachers were invited to watch the graduation down on the field of the stadium.

The top ten, Student Council officers, the Salutatorian, and Valedictorian walk on stage as the ceremony begins. The request for these students to be able to give speeches and sit together on stage was part of the petition Student Council Executive President Hart Black ’21 and Alayna Pelayo ’21 created in March.

JROTC students present the colors as the choir sings the national anthem at the start of the ceremony.

Student Council Executive President Hart Black ’21 gives a speech new graduates. In his speech, he described his efforts to make the traditional graduation ceremony happen, and was grateful for the overwhelming support he received from the community.

Senior Class President Edward Seo ’21 addresses the class in his speech.

Salutatorian Prachi Ingle ’21 speaks to the new graduates.

Valedictorian Aylin Tanriverdi ’21 gives her speech on stage.

Principal Dr. Mario Acosta speaks to the crowd. He applauded the graduates for completing a difficult year of online education, and encouraged them in their future endeavors.

Principal Dr. Mario Acosta and Anouka Saha ’21 pose on stage for a picture.

After the ceremony ends, seniors throw their caps in the air as per tradition, celebrating the start of their new adventures.

Holding up the Westwood sign in the air, Ishan Deshpande ’21 sings the school song with the rest of the class as a final farewell to Westwood.

Displaying her homemade graduation cap decoration, Alysa Hernan ’21 describes how her newfound skill of sewing played a role during the pandemic year. She decided to create a three dimensional replica of her bed to sum up her past year of at-home education.