CK McClatchy held its first graduation at Golden 1 Center. Here’s what was said
For the first time, Sacramento City Unified School District high school graduates crossed the stage at Golden 1 Center on Monday as the district moved all commencement ceremonies to the downtown arena.
C.K. McClatchy High School became the first SCUSD campus to hold a graduation ceremony at Golden 1 Center, kicking off two days of commencements for the district’s six comprehensive high schools.
Six district graduations will be held at the arena over two days, with three ceremonies each day. Along with McClatchy, West Campus and Rosemont held commencement ceremonies Monday. Hiram Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Luther Burbank high schools are scheduled to graduate students Tuesday.
The McClatchy ceremony featured multiple commencement speakers, including several students.
Greybis Lopez Guandique, a Honduran American who immigrated to the United States in 2016, spoke about the hurdles she and her family overcame on her path to earning a high school diploma.
“As a daughter of immigrant parents, I can proudly say that my parents, and so many immigrant parents here today, are the reason a lot of us are standing here,” she said. “For some people, graduating high school might not seem a lot, but for me it is, because all I can see is my parents’ sacrifice.”
Lopez Guandique also touched on political issues facing immigrants in the United States before addressing her family and asking them in Spanish to stand.
“We as immigrants don’t take your job or your home or anything, we are just people who don’t give up,” she said. “We work hard, we sacrifice, and we make sure to reach our goal, which is not by stealing but earning it with sweat.”
Other speakers focused on themes such as trust and embracing new opportunities. Graduate Caleb Payne said overcoming social anxiety required him to believe in himself and rely on others.
“Getting in front of three people terrifies me, let alone all of you, but I’m right here right now because despite that, I knew that I could trust myself, and so sometimes you have to take that leap of faith, knowing that you are prepared,” he said.
The move to Golden 1 Center marks the latest venue change for SCUSD graduations.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, SCUSD’s comprehensive high school graduations were held at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento. In 2021, the district moved ceremonies to Sutter Health Park to comply with public health guidance favoring outdoor venues. Graduations were held last year at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.
The district was unable to return to the convention center this year because the venue was unavailable, district spokesman Al Goldberg said.
SCUSD is paying $300,000 to hold the ceremonies at Golden 1 Center, according to a district contract report.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM.
