Courtesy of San Benito High School Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum:
Dear San Benito High School Parents, Students and Community:
The San Benito High School Class of 2020 is entering the next chapter of their lives, setting out on a variety of paths available to them: whether it’s entering the workforce or enlisting in the military, or continuing their education at a junior college, four-year university, or trade or technical school.
We celebrate the success of our nearly 700 graduates, all of whom are building on the foundational platforms available to them at SBHS. We also recognize the team effort it took to help our new alumni reach for their goals. Their parents and families, our faculty and staff, our community, and local clubs and organizations all play a role in the success of our students.
A number of students have apprenticeships lined up, some will take a gap year to work and save money, some are heading to barber college, the Universal Technical Institute, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, or the Joshua Wilderness Institute.
The list of colleges our grads will attend is impressive not just for the prestige of those schools, but because it shows there is opportunity for every San Benito High School student who applies themselves and dreams of a bright future.
Junior Colleges
Some grads are going the junior college route at schools such as Gavilan, Cabrillo, Hartnell, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Allen Hancock and others.
CSU’s
Some will enter the California State University system at campuses in San Francisco, Pomona, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Jose, Long Beach, Chico, Fresno, San Marcos, Channel Islands, Monterey, East Bay and Stanislaus.
U.C.’s
Baler grads will be heading off to schools throughout the University of California system, including Santa Barbara, Davis, Santa Cruz, Irvine, Riverside and UCLA.
Out-of-State and Private Schools
Members of the Class of 2020 will attend Pepperdine and Cal Lutheran, along with schools throughout the country, such as Texas A&M, Oregon, Oregon State, Reno, the University of Louisville, Northern Arizona, BYU, Southern Oregon, Boise State, Schreiner University, Idaho, Montana State, Duquesne, Arizona, Arizona State, Quinnipiac and Vanguard.
Military Service
Baler alums will continue to proudly serve their country in the military, with this year’s seniors serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Our Class of 2020 alumni are prime examples that anything is possible at San Benito High School, where through our two graduation pathways (the A to G college pathway and the Career Technical Education pathway) we support students to set, reach for and achieve their goals.
This diversity of opportunity is reflected in the stories of some of this year’s seniors.
Hoop Dreams
Jay Trejo has always envisioned going to college, so the opportunity to start her college career close to home and play basketball at Gavilan College fit into her plans. She will major in business administration, based on a math teacher’s recommendation that she put her skills at working with numbers to work in the business field.
At SBHS, she said, “I had great teachers and coaches who helped me out along the way. Many of them gave me great advice that I can apply to school and life.”
To current and incoming high school students, Jay said she encourages them “to have an open mind and be open to new experiences. Try out for a sport or join a club, because if you don’t you’ll regret it down the road.
From ASB to UCLA
Madison Rodrigues said the wide array of Advanced Placement classes at SBHS “gave me the opportunity to take any class I wanted at a higher level.” Despite her focus on academics, she is thankful that Baler students have enriching opportunities outside of the classroom, such as campus clubs, the Associated Student Body, and competitive athletics.
At UCLA, Madison will major in Human Biology and Society on a pre-med track.
“My favorite classes at SBHS have always been math and science, so taking advantage of the higher level courses that are offered allowed me to further my interest in the medical field by gaining the math and science skills that I needed before I go to college.”
Madison noted that her school counselors “were always available to help me with any questions I had about reaching my goals and helped me out immensely during the stressful college application season.
Her advice to students and parents is “don’t stress too much about a single bad grade or a mistake, and always remember the goal that you or your child is working toward. It all pays off in the end.”
The Journey is the Destination
No matter the path our alumni are on, we are proud of how far they have come. They are a testament to and reflection of a supportive community that values and supports our young people to chase their dreams.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and everyone who has supported them along the way. You are all Baler STRONG and a reminder that every day is a great day to be a Baler!
Sincerely,
San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum
