BOLSA GRANDE STUDENTS march past an array of flags at the beginning of graduation exercises at Bolsa Grande High School on Tuesday (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano).

It’s time for the turning of tassels and the rhythmic repetitions of “Pomp and Circumstance.”  It’s Graduation Day for the high school classes of 2022, who may forever be known as the COVID-19 Cohort.

At Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove on Tuesday afternoon, traditions were upheld (or resumed) with songs from the choir, speeches from the school principal, student leaders and the school’s three valedictorians: Fatimah Patel, Chuong Tran and Khanh Giao Pham Tran.

FATIMAH PATEL, one of Bolsa’s three valedictorians.

Finally, the awarding of diplomas as family and friends in the packed Bolsa Stadium strained for a look and a photo of their son or daughter taking their last walk as a high school student and making that symbolic journey into adulthood.

The event concluded with the singing of the BGHS “alma mater” and then the hugs and kisses of “goodbyes” and parental pride.

Bolsa’s commencement was not the only one in the Garden Grove Unified School District on Tuesday. Later in the day, La Quinta High held its ceremonies in the same stadium.

Garden Grove High’s class of 2022 was graduated at the on-campus Monsoor Stadium and Santiago High followed there later in the day.

On Wednesday, Rancho Alamitos and Pacifica will hold commencements at Bolsa, and Los Amigos at Monsoor. Hare Continuation High School will graduate its students on the Hare campus.

CHORAL DIRECTOR Kristen McCullough emotes while leading the choir.

In the Huntington Beach Union High School District graduation exercises will be held later. Edison will have its commencement on Thursday, June 16 at 4 p.m. at Sheue Field on the Huntington Beach High School campus.  HBHS will graduate at 4 p.m. at Sheue Field on Tuesday, June 14.

Marina High School will have its commencement at 4 p.m. at Boswell Stadium on June 16 on the Westminster High campus. WHS will take the field there at 5 p.m. that day. Ocean View will graduate its class of 2022 on Wednesday, June 15 at its on-campus stadium.

Orange High will hold its graduation on Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m. at Fred Kelly Stadium on the El Modena High campus.