Every June, as caps fly and diplomas are handed out, our community takes a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of its students and the journeys that brought them to this milestone. Graduation season is more than a series of ceremonies — it’s a powerful reminder of the resilience, determination and talent that lives in every corner of our district.

This year, my team and I had the honor of attending dozens of graduation ceremonies across the Santa Clarita Valley — from middle schools and high schools to community colleges and trade programs. At each one, we saw proud families, dedicated educators, and students ready to take their next steps. We presented thousands of congressional certificates of achievement to valedictorians, scholarship recipients, military enlistees, and students pursuing higher education.

Their stories reflect the very best of what our future holds.

One of those stories belongs to Naomi King, a student at West Ranch High School in Valencia, who earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal – the highest honor........

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