(June 9, 2020) MONTEREY, Calif. — Laguna Seca Recreation Area played host for hundreds of local graduating high school seniors this month. Seven Monterey County high schools accepted invitations by Laguna Seca Recreation Area management to conduct their commencement ceremonies at the track, and last Friday, Pacific Grove High School’s graduating class was the first to celebrate with a victory lap around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Last Saturday, four drive-through graduations took place in ever-changing weather, with class sizes ranging from 26 from Central Coast High School to over 310 from Monterey High School. Marina High School started off the morning, followed by Seaside High School who got some good luck sprinkles from Mother Nature as they arrived.

This past week, Learning for Life Charter School honored their graduates on Tuesday evening and Carmel High School held their commencement on a very sunny Wednesday afternoon. All closed out their special day with a lap around the track, experiencing the thrill of the Corkscrew with their families.



All of this was made possible by the support of Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the Monterey County Office of Education and our valued WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca sponsors, Sunbelt Equipment Rentals, who donated lighting stands and lifts for the photographer, Lexus as our official luxury vehicle provider and Monterey Touring Vehicles who offered graduates a special discounted package on vehicles for the ceremonies.­­­ WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca staff played a critical role in the planning and execution of the graduations.



“Being able to give these graduating seniors the memory of a lifetime in such a trying year is something truly special,” said president and general manager of Laguna Seca Recreation Area John Narigi. “Thank you to all of the school faculty, Monterey County Department of Education, families and graduates who helped make these ceremonies so memorable. Thank you also to our partners who helped make each graduation successful. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to offer graduation ceremonies to our local senior classes, especially after such a challenging final semester. We sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to give back to our community.”



Graduates and their family members were allowed one vehicle per household and were spaced apart in the large paddock. After all graduates had driven to the stage for a photo and their diploma, they then headed to the track for a 25-mph victory lap led by our Official Lexus pace cars and vehicles along with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department and CHP.



“The opportunity to celebrate and recognize our 2020 graduates in this unique way at a world-famous location is something we are so thankful for and proud of,” said Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. “The Monterey County Office of Education and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca worked in partnership with the Monterey County Health Department and school district leaders to design a ceremony that allowed for immediate family members to honor their graduates while adhering to the county and state’s health guidelines and orders.”



Because extended family and friends were unable to attend, ceremonies were live streamed with over fifteen hours of coverage via local news channels KION and KSBW, as well as MPUSD TV and Carmel High School YouTube channels. Digital and print coverage by The Monterey Herald, Monterey County Weekly and the Carmel Pine Cone gave additional insight to stories behind the graduates.