Mission Viejo High School

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Diablo Pride Shines as Mission Viejo High School Celebrates the Class of 2026

June 5, 2026

Two graduates in red gowns and caps take a selfie with an American flag and a grassy hillside in the background.
Two graduates in red gowns give each other a high-five on a football field with a stage and bleachers in the background.
Four graduates in red gowns and caps pose for a photo with a blurred background of other graduates and a fence.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps stand on risers on a green field, facing a single graduate, with a crowd and stadium in the background.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an instructor in a black gown and blue stole, with a blurred crowd of spectators in the background.
A woman in a graduation gown speaks at a podium in front of a backdrop with a school logo, while graduates in red caps fill the foreground and two figures in gowns sit to her right.

Mission Viejo High School celebrated 329 graduates during its commencement ceremony on June 4 in the school's stadium, honoring a class that distinguished itself through academic excellence, athletic achievement, and deep school pride.

The Class of 2026 earned more than $4.6 million in scholarships, including $2,548,061 in academic, merit, and community scholarships and an additional $2.1 million in athletic scholarships awarded to 12 student-athletes. The graduating class also included 12 International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates and 19 IB Certificate recipients, 96 recipients of the State Seal of Biliteracy, 168 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma recipients, and 74 members of the National Honor Society.

The ceremony featured remarks from student speakers Kathleen Wynne and Avary Napoles, who reflected on their high school experiences and celebrated the friendships, lessons, and memories that defined their time as Diablos.

Throughout the evening, graduates, families, and staff showcased the strong sense of pride that has long been a hallmark of Mission Viejo. The celebration highlighted not only the accomplishments of the graduating class but also the connections and traditions that helped shape their high school experience.

In her remarks, Principal Tricia Osborne encouraged graduates to embrace new opportunities and approach the future with confidence.

"What matters is that when opportunities come, even uncertain ones, you have the courage to step forward and walk through that door," Osborne said. "My hope is that you will become leaders in your future, improve your communities, and make a positive difference in the lives of others."

Members of the Class of 2026 will pursue a wide range of postsecondary pathways. According to senior survey data, 40.7% plan to attend four-year universities, 40.1% plan to attend community college, 5.5% plan to attend trade school, 3.3% plan to enlist in the military, and 7.3% plan to enter the workforce.

As graduates crossed the stage and turned their tassels, they celebrated a milestone years in the making and prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.

"In closing, I hope as you reflect back on your time at Mission, you can say you have had the time of your life," Principal Osborne said. "I know my life is far better today because I have come to know many of you over the past four years. I will miss each of you. I wish each and every one of you the very best and thank you for all that you have done to make Mission Viejo High School one of the top schools in the country."