2026 Grad Night Success!

[Negar Souza]



Hello ECHS!

We hope your summer is going well. Here’s a quick update on our 2026 Grad Night. 

This year’s Grad Night was an unprecedented success, bringing together 140 graduates for our largest celebration in over a decade! Thanks to generous organization grants and community support, our seniors enjoyed a safe, thrilling, and unforgettable trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

🚌 Smooth Sailing & Huge Turnout

• Packed House: With attendance hitting a ten-year high, we actually had to add an extra bus to fit everyone.

• Fueling the Fun: We kicked off check-in at the library, where security ensured a safe departure and students grabbed their gear—including a towel, sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. Huge shout out to Mr. Pickle’s 🥪 in El Cerrito for donating to our event. 

• Perfect Timing: Every single bus loaded up and departed exactly on schedule.

🎡 Boardwalk Takeover & Viral Moments

• Beachside Basecamp: Our graduates had an exclusive, secure home base right by the beach and arcade. 
• Bumper Car Blackout: After dinner, our team coordinated a private "blackout" session with the ride operators. Our EC grads took over the bumper cars for three full, exclusive cycles. The energy was so high that our students posted on the EC Instagram page.

🏡 Home Safe and Sound

• Before heading back, we gathered the entire group for a memorable class photo. The students represented our community beautifully, the venue staff was fantastic, and our chaperones, and teachers had just as much fun as the kids. Best of all, everyone returned home safely and right on time.

Thank you to the parents, teachers, and donors who made this historic celebration possible for our graduates! And a special thank you to the 2026 Grad Night Committee for their tireless efforts throughout the spring to pull this amazing event off.