On the night of May 28, 2026, Buena’s annual senior awards ceremony took place. Described as “a night among the stars,” the 2026 Senior Awards were truly a magical night that one cannot soon forget.
Families, friends and students alike walked into Buena’s McConnell auditorium, following the path of gold posts and red velvet ropes, giving the illusion of a red carpet atmosphere.
Beginning with a performance by Buena’s jazz band, under the direction of Tim MacDonald, the 2026 Senior Awards had begun. Co-hosted by counselor Natasha Hillis and U.S. history teacher Andrew Coates, the awards began.
“It’s a privilege to be able to award these scholarships and awards to our highest performing seniors. It’s very bittersweet, and we’re so excited for them and their futures,” Hillis said.
The night began with welcome remarks from principal Dr. Audrey Asplund, congratulating the class of 2026 for all of their hard work and dedication these last four years. The first award of the night, the Diamond in the Rough award, presented by the George Thompson Diamond Company, was given to seniors whose GPAs have improved the most from junior to senior year.
The Rotary Club of Ventura East presented two $5,000 scholarships and one $4,000 to seniors Katherine Nguyen, Savannah Sayre and Mercedes Zuniga, for serving the community while having outstanding academic achievements.
The Ariana Larez “Be the Light” memorial scholarship, in honor of VUSD school board trustee Sabrena Rodriguez’s late niece, went to a senior pursuing a degree or career in health care. Senior Natalia Gallardo received $1,500 from this.
The Crosby Trust scholarship goes to students who persevered in challenges they faced throughout high school, who will go on to pursue a higher education. Rodriguez presented seniors Julio Gomez and Carlos Padilla each with $5,000 scholarships.
English teacher Antoinette Perez presented the Missy Phelan Memorial Scholarship, after a beloved staff member who passed away. Students who receive this embody the very characteristics that Phelan held dear. Seniors Vincent Sandoval and Jazmmn Viot Preciado received $500 each from this.
AVID teachers Heather Arrambide and Katherine Loughman presented the AVID stoles to the senior class, a bright blue stole that they get to wear at graduation. The 2026 AVID senior class was the biggest AVID senior class in Buena history, a remarkable milestone.
Next was Coates presenting the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) stoles to seniors. The CSF stole is a wonderful gold color and worn by seniors who qualify for CSF. They will also have an embossed gold seal on their diploma, as well as the gold stole.
Assistant principals Tina Perez and Derek Rusk presented the Magna Cum Laude awards, presented to seniors who maintained a 4.0 – 4.39 GPA through semester one of this year. Rusk asked for audience participation, having the crowd clap two times after every name was called, honoring the academic achievements of the students.
Assistant principal Tiffany Dyer presented the highest academic award of the night, the Summa Cum Laude award, given to seniors who maintained a 4.4 and above GPA. The 13 seniors who got this award make up the top two percent of their senior class.
Finally, it was time to honor the 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian, the top seniors of their class. Joseph and Christopher Sullivan, twin brothers, earned these awards, having a 4.6296 and 4.6552 GPA, respectively.
“It feels really amazing,” J. Sullivan said. “I’m really excited for [C. Sullivan]. I’m really excited for us. It’s an honor to our parents too, and [I’m really proud of that].”
As the night concluded, it was time to announce the top awards of the night: the Principal’s Award and the Hall of Fame. Asplund presented both of these awards, awarding Chase Strople with the principal’s award, and Vincent Sandoval and Naima Dickerson with the Hall of Fame.
Sandoval and Dickerson’s senior portraits will hang in Buena’s office, next to all other alumni who have received this award.
“It all feels like a gift,” Dickerson said. “Everything I’ve been able to do and my list of extracurriculars has all been a blessing for me. Every group that has welcomed me, every opportunity I’ve been given, it’s all been a gift. Having [the Hall of Fame] in a memoriam of all I’ve been able to do is something I’m really grateful for. I feel very lucky.”
