Photos: Grant seniors and families celebrate graduation, mourn student killed day before
By Xavier Mascareñas
Jianna Smith, a 2022 John F. Kennedy High School graduate, holds a shirt dedicated to Billy Scott before the Grant Union High School graduation ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Scott, an 18-year-old senior set to graduate, was killed in a North Highlands shooting the night before, authorities said.
Xavier Mascareñas
xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Amid grief over the loss of senior Billy Scott, Grant High School students received their diplomas Thursday night in front of their families, friends and teachers.
T-shirts dedicated to Scott, who was fatally killed in a shooting Wednesday night in Sacramento County’s North Highlands area, were prominent throughout the stadium. He was set to graduate with honors.
In a letter to students, parents and staff Thursday, Steve Martinez, superintendent of Twin Rivers Unified School District, confirmed that an 18-year-old graduating senior from Grant High was killed “in a horrific act of violence.”
Counselors were sent to the campus to help grieving students, and additional security promised for the school for the graduation ceremony. Local media were forced to remain outside for the event.
The school’s graduation featured the district’s first students to graduate simultaneously from high school and American River College, Madaline Her and Paige Lee.
Grant Union High School graduating senior Jojo McCray, right, and fellow graduate Richard Sims, both friends of Billy “Duddah” Scott, share an embrace as they prepare for the school’s graduation ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Scott, an 18-year-old Grant senior who was set to graduate, was killed in a North Highlands shooting the previous night, authorities said. “We were with him yesterday morning,” McCray said, adding, “Long live Duddah.” Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Katrise Farr, a Grant Union High School graduating senior, arrives before the start of the graduation ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Family and friends hold an image of Billy Scott high for the applauding crowd to see before graduation ceremonies get underway at Grant Union High School on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. The 18-year-old Grant senior was set to graduate but was killed in a North Highlands shooting the night before, authorities said. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Grant Union High School Principal Darris Hinson, center, arrives before the school’s graduation ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Dubee Lopa’s family set up to celebrate his graduation from Grant Union High School, Tongan style, as the ceremony takes place inside the stadium Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Gustavo Esquivel walks towards the stadium entrance before the graduation ceremony at Grant Union High School on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. He carries graduation money for his son, also Gustavo Esquivel. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Seniors pose for photos before their graduation ceremony at Grant Union High School on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
People arrive for the graduation ceremony at Grant Union High School on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
People line up for security screening at the Grant Union High School graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. An 18-year-old Grant senior set to graduate was killed in a North Highlands shooting the night before, authorities said. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Law enforcement patrol around the stadium gate during the graduation ceremony at Grant Union High School on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. The gates closed to graduate’s families and friends after it was announced that capacity had been reached. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Families and friends look past the gates for glimpses of Grant Union High School graduation seniors during the ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, after the stadium was closed, citing capacity, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
A Grant Union High School graduating senior walks across the stage Thursday, June 1, 2023, during the graduation ceremony at the Sacramento school. Many attendees had to watch or listen from outside the stadium after it was announced that capacity had been reached. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Soane Taamai’s family set up to celebrate his graduation from Grant Union High School, Tongan style, as the ceremony takes place inside the stadium Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
The sun falls past friends and family attending Grant Union High School’s graduation ceremony Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
This story was originally published June 2, 2023 at 2:58 PM.
