The first Orange County school district to hand diplomas to its Class of 2025 is celebrating 10 different commencement ceremonies this week.
On Tuesday, May 20, the Anaheim Union High School District hosted graduations for Katella and Cypress high schools, and has eight more ceremonies planned at Handel Stadium through Friday. It previously held smaller ceremonies for its Cambridge Virtual Academy and Hope School.
Classmates Leilani Serna, left, and Sophia Ramirez embrace after receiving their diplomas during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Melyssa Miranda, center, poses for a photo with her family during the celebratory festivities after the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kevin Makiya, left, is weighed down with graduation gifts as he poses for a photo during the celebratory festivities after the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New graduates, America Gonzalez, left, and Erika Rizo Samayoa, hug during the celebratory festivities after the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yariana Pena-Urioso, left,and Garima Sapkota react at the conclusion of the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Katella High Choir sings, “Go the Distance,” during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new graduate gets a high-five from teacher Scott Wilmoth during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family members wait with cameras at the ready for their graduate to take the field during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A graduate, left, is overcome with emotion after receiving her diploma during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Richard Rodriguez-Magana gives school councilor April Hancock Laughlin a hug after he received his diploma during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gabriela Mar gets an enthusiastic hand shake from teacher Scott Wilmoth during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family member attempt to get the attention of their graduate after the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Uriel Palacios, right, dances down the aisle after receiving his diploma during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alyssa Salcedo reacts after receiving her diploma during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Graduates wave to their family as they enter Handel Stadium during the Katella High School graduation ceremony on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Graduates wave to their family as they enter Handel Stadium during the Katella High School graduation ceremony on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alexander Catano-Fernandez, right, shows his diploma to fellow graduates during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Classmates Leilani Serna, left, and Sophia Ramirez embrace after receiving their diplomas during the Katella High School graduation ceremony in Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High School in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Next week will be a busy time for area high schools, with thousands of students graduating from Garden Grove Unified, Santa Ana Unified, Tustin Unified and Fullerton Joint Union High School District.
Hosting commencement ceremonies in the first week of June are Brea Olinda Unified, Capistrano Unified, Irvine Unified, Los Alamitos Unified, Newport-Mesa Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified. On June 5, 20 different public high schools in Orange County will host graduations.
And wrapping up the busy Orange County graduation season with ceremonies June 11 and 12 will be Huntington Beach Union High School District, Laguna Beach Unified, Orange Unified and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified.
