MDUSD HS graduation celebrations begin with Northgate, College Park, and the College Now program

MDUSD's graduation season began this week for the Class of 2026! Northgate HS kicked off the festivities with its Commencement on Tuesday, May 26, followed by the College Now program's Senior Celebration at Diablo Valley College (DVC) on Wednesday, May 27, and the College Park HS graduation on Thursday, May 28. 

Graduations continue tonight (Friday, May 29) with the Adult Education Bridge Program at the Loma Vista Adult Education Center and Concord HS at the Toyota Pavilion, followed by alternative high school graduations on May 30 and finishing up next week with Mt. Diablo HS on June 1, Ygnacio Valley HS on June 2, and the Adult Education program on June 6. All graduations at the Toyota Pavilion are being live streamed and recorded by the city of Concord here.

The Northgate HS graduation, held Tuesday at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord, can be viewed here. It included a performance by Northgate Choirs; inspirational speeches from Principal Kelly Cooper, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Board Member Brian Lawrence - whose daughter was a graduate, students Zuhair Faruki and Airah Pozas, and teacher Meg Honey, who is a Northgate Class of 1997 alumna. Board Member Linda Mayo and Board President Debra Mason also attended, along with several District administrators. "378 Northgate HS Broncos walked the stage to accept their diplomas from their favorite staff member," Mayo posted on Facebook, adding that Honey's address wished graduates "lifelong joy, enthusiasm and courage."

The College Now Celebration was held at Diablo Valley College (DVC) and was not live streamed. The 55 graduating seniors in the dual enrollment program at DVC came from District high schools and are officially graduating and receiving their diplomas along with their classmates from the schools where they took freshman and sophomore courses before entering College Now as juniors. College Now, which is based on the DVC campus, allows students to take both community college courses taught by DVC staff and high school courses taught by MDUSD staff. Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark said he was happy to see the expansion of the program, resulting in the largest graduating class of seniors since it began nine years ago. "This is a program that I think is very, very special," he said, praising the "bravery" of students who leave their traditional high school campuses to take on the challenge of college work. Student speaker Nathan Torres said he and his classmates have changed over the two years in the program, learning how to think critically, speak with confidence, overcome struggles and build their own futures. And student Zahra Asfour told fellow graduates that they have built connections, improved skills and found a sense of purpose. She also thanked the program staff, adding: "Thanks to their support, we had the freedom to be ourselves."

The College Park HS graduation can be viewed here. It included performances by the College Park HS Jazz Ensemble, and Choir Seniors; inspirational remarks from Principal Dr. Ronald Richardson; students Kianna Caudle, Kaytie Lopez and Gawhar Bahawi; Superintendent Dr. Clark; Board Member Keisha Nzewi - whose daughter was a graduate; and teacher Frank Vasgerdsian, a College Park Class of 2016 alumnus who urged graduates to try to make positive changes in the world. Board President Debra Mason also attended, along with several District administrators. Graduates received diplomas from teachers of their choice.

Click here to see a reel featuring the Northgate, College Now and College Park HS graduation celebrations.

See next week's Friday Letter for recaps of the remaining graduations.