Heritage High holds festive commencement ceremony

Graduating seniors listen to one of the speakers at Friday's Heritage High School Commencement ceremony. Menifee 24/7 photos: Kristen Spoon

Heritage High School seniors marched, cheered and threw caps into the air at the end of Friday's Commencement ceremony honoring the Class of 2017.

Graduates heard from Salutatorian Yen Nguyen, whose message was titled "I heard it in a song." Class Valedictorian Kiersten Nicole Roque delivered a speech titled "Hello world." Inspirational messages were also delivered by David Nelissen of the Perris Union High School District Board of Trustees and Heritage High teacher Doug Fairchild, who issued the challenge to the class.

Principal Frank Arce ended his comments by picking up a guitar and singing to the students about chasing their dreams. As they received their diplomas, some danced down the ramp from the stage and one even performed performed a back flip returning to his seat.

District superintendent Grant Bennett accepted the certification of the class as graduates and district officials assisted in presenting the diplomas.

For bonus coverage of the event, watch our video news broadcast on Sunday.

Salutatorian Yen Nguyen delivered a speech titled "I heard it in a song."

The theme of Class Valeadictorian Kiersten Nicole Roque's speech was "Hello world."

Seniors waved to family members in the crowd at the request of speaker Doug Fairchild.

Heritage High principal Frank Arce spoke to the students, then picked up a guitar and sang to them.

From left: Daniella Lopez, ASB president; Prisila Galindo, senior class officer; Makaelah Spencer, senior class officer.

Members of the school band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as the graduates entered the stadium.

After turning their tassels, the graduates tossed their caps in the air as streamers were shot overhead.