PRHS Class of 2026 turns tassels toward the future

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Jun 11 2026

Graduates celebrate achievements and honor military-bound classmates at War Memorial Stadium

PASO ROBLES — Family members, friends, teachers, and the community filled War Memorial Stadium on the evening of June 5 as Paso Robles High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026. The ceremony honored the achievements of hundreds of Bearcats while recognizing the friendships, lessons, and memories that shaped their high school journey.

Principal Jennifer Loftus opened the ceremony by reminding graduates that the evening marked far more than the completion of coursework.

“To the graduates, this is your night. Embrace it,” Loftus said. “A milestone, a celebration, and yes, probably a bit of relief.”

She encouraged students to reflect on their growth and the experiences that helped define them.

“This moment is not just about what you have completed. It is about who you are becoming,” she said. “Paso Robles will always be part of your foundation. It lives in your memories, your friendships, your teachers, coaches, your performances, games, and the moments that shaped you when no one else was watching.”

Senior Class President Kate Harrington reflected on the many experiences that brought the class together and urged her classmates to continue embracing new opportunities.

“Don’t forget to live a little and laugh a little too,” Harrington said. “Don’t stay in your shell. Be willing to branch out and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.”

She encouraged fellow graduates to remain open to meeting new people, trying new things, and appreciating the unexpected moments that often become life’s most meaningful memories.

One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came when Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Trustee and Paso Robles VFW Post 10965 Commander Leo Castillo recognized members of the graduating class who have chosen military service. A veteran and former Army soldier, Castillo asked all veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized before introducing the graduates entering the armed forces.

Those recognized included Gino Berlingeri, Stephanie Torres, Marissa Moreno, and Lane Shea entering the U.S. Air Force; Orlando Guerrero entering the U.S. Army; Octavio Martinez entering the National Guard; Jose Sanchez, Lane Rohrer, Alan Melgar, and Alejandro Sanchez entering the U.S. Marine Corps; and Raul Solorio entering the U.S. Navy.

“For those of you who have chosen to serve, regardless of how many years of commitment, you have our support, our respect, and our gratitude,” Castillo said. “This will be more than just a chapter for you. It will be the beginning of a book that will shape you, teach you, challenge you, build your resilience, and mold you into the person that you’re about to become.”

Castillo then left the students with a moving message.

"All I ask of you is this: No matter how tough things get, no matter how homesick you may feel, no matter how annoyed you might become at your parents when they berate you for not calling home often, remember this," Castillo said. "You have stepped into a role that comes with sacrifice. Your loved ones will worry about you. They will support you, and they will care deeply about you. So let them. That kind of support is more than many people receive in a lifetime. So embrace it, respect it, don't shy away from it, and lean into it."

Salutatorian Quinn Kobayashi shared personal reflections about overcoming self-doubt and learning to be present in life’s important moments. She recalled a freshman orientation activity that left her worried about what others thought of her, only to realize years later that those fears were largely self-created.

“When we become so consumed by embarrassment and insecurity, we lose the chance to gain a pleasant memory to look back on,” Kobayashi said. “I hope we can all let go of that outlook on life and learn to simply be present with no negative afterthoughts.”

Kobayashi, who served as senior class president and competed on the girls soccer team, ended her senior year with a weighted grade point average of 4.81. She will attend UCLA, where she plans to study business economics and pursue a minor in entrepreneurship.

Valedictorian Kingston Anguiano brought humor and humility to the podium, joking about rumors that he would be attending Harvard University before clarifying that he will attend UCLA in the fall. He earned a weighted grade point average of 4.84.

More importantly, he challenged his classmates to recognize how far they have come since entering high school four years ago.

“I may not be everything I want to be yet, but I am a lot of things that I wanted to be four years ago,” Anguiano said.

He reflected on his own growth through athletics, leadership, academics, and personal relationships, encouraging graduates to take pride in their accomplishments.

“Senior year wasn’t perfect, and honestly, high school wasn’t perfect,” he said. “But you proved you could do it.”

Anguiano concluded by thanking his family, friends, teachers, coaches, and mentors for their support and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as valedictorian. Anguiano plans to study environmental science with a minor in business.

Congratulations to the Paso Robles High School Class of 2026!

Photos by Derek Luff/PRP