Senior Information 2026

It's that time of year--GRAD NITE 2026!

More information will be released after tickets are sold.

INFORMATION:
1. DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026  12:15 p.m. TO SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026 3:30 a.m.
2. TRANSPORTATION: SANTA BARBARA AIR BUS
3. DEPARTURE: ACHS LOWER PARKING LOT
4. NO GUESTS ALLOWED-ONLY ACHS STUDENTS 
5. THERE ARE ONLY 300 TICKETS AVAILABLE
6. PERMISSION SLIPS ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THE BOOKKEEPER'S WINDOW BEGINNING THURSDAY, 1/15. 
6. AS PER YOUR SENIOR CONTRACT, if you have 10 or more UNVERIFIED ABSENCES, you are not eligible to purchase a ticket. If this is you, the administration will be reaching out to you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) within the next week to discuss your attendance issue as well as to discuss potential solutions. The senior contract was presented and given to you in a Google form at the Senior Principal's Chat on Tuesday, August 19. 

TICKETS:
1. TICKETS GO ON SALE TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
2. TICKETS ARE PARK HOPPERS FOR DISNEY AND CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK. AFTER 9:00 p.m., ALL SENIORS WILL BE IN CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK. 
3. ONLY 300 AVAILABLE.

PRICING:
1. PARK HOPPER TICKET: $259.00 BUS PER PERSON: $81.00 
TOTAL PER PERSON WITH CASH OR CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO ACHS: $340.00.
TOTAL PER PERSON WITH CREDIT/DEBIT/APPLE PAY: $351.00 (PERCENTAGE FEE + TRANSACTION FEE)

PAYMENT PLANS:
You can SECURE your seat on a bus with a minimum deposit of $50.00.
You will be required to have your full balance due by 2/27 (February 27). 
You can make payments at any time. Understand that for every credit/debit/Apple Pay transaction, there is a fee. 
OR:
You can pay in full at the prices listed above. 
TICKET SALE DEADLINES:
1. 1/20-TICKET SALES BEGIN
2. 2/27-ANY ONE WHO HAS PAID ON INSTALLMENTS MUST HAVE THE BALANCE PAID IN FULL
3. 2/27-AFTER THIS DAY, NO REFUNDS-NO EXCEPTIONS
4. 3/17-LAST DAY OF TICKET SALES-IF WE RUN OUT OF SEATS EARLIER, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW. We do take a waiting list because if someone can't go, they'll need to sell their ticket to someone on the waiting list. Disney has a no-refund policy.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
1. The buses are filled as we sell the tickets, so if you want to sit with your friends on the same bus, you'll have to purchase them together.
2. You MUST have your signed permission slip filled out when you buy your ticket--you can't purchase your ticket without it (if you are 18, you still need a parent-signed slip).
3. There are NO refunds after 2/27. If something happens, we will all try to get it sold for you, but if we can't, you'll not receive a refund.  

I completely understand that these prices are a bit steep--it goes up every year. All I can say is that ACHS has absolutely nothing to do with the prices. We are charging EXACTLY what it costs. This is NOT a fundraiser. Should you have concerns or would like to discuss the prices with Disney and/or Santa Barbara Airbus, feel free to contact them. It is a great experience and one that has limited tickets, regardless, so anything we can do to help make it happen for you, let me know. 

Thank you! We're looking forward to a wonderful experience!
Sincerely,
Lori Pristera
ASB Director 
Class Adviser

Speech Contest: Open to ALL seniors!

 One will be chosen to be presented at graduation as the keynote speech. 

THEME: “What we’re taking with us—and what we’re leaving behind.”

Percolate and reflect on what and how your class has learned–to be human, to be resilient, to embrace uncertainty, and to hold onto what matters. What is the Class of 2026 taking with them, and what are they leaving behind? What’s their footprint on your school, your community, your city? 

(2 minute minimum, 3 minute maximum) 

Remember, you are representing your ENTIRE class, not just your friend group, or any clichéd high school groups. Nearly all of you have the same shared childhood, middle school, and high school experiences, so draw on those shared memories and life lessons from your community of teachers, parents, and peers to help you brainstorm. 

1. It can be either a speech, a poem, or a song. It must be original words/lyrics. It will be checked for plagiarism and AI input, and you will be required to sign a document that states it is 100% original from you. 
2. The speech must be your own words–please DO NOT seek assistance from others or AI sites, including brainstorming ideas. OpenAI has not been through the experiences of your classmates. 
3. Students will prepare typed, 12-point, double-spaced submissions of their pieces. Times New Roman is the acceptable font. 
4. MLA format for your heading
5. It must have a title
6. The committee will choose the top 3 for consideration. 
7. All students will be notified of their place in the competition, and the top 3 will move onto the presentation. 

 You must be present at the mandatory graduation practices on Friday, 5/29, and Monday, 6/1, to qualify for consideration. 

DETAILS-please read, these are non-negotiable dates and times:

1. Submissions must be turned in no later than Friday, May 8th, by 3:30 pm. They will not be accepted after that deadline.
2. Turn in submissions via Google Docs to lori.pristera@oxnardunion.org. You can either attach the Google doc, or share the link- I must have editing permission--please do not make me ask for access--this will cause you to be deleted from the contest. 
3. Notifications of the top 3 will be given on Tuesday, May 12th. 
4. Presentations/Performances of the top 3 will be scheduled for Thursday, May 14, after school in N-5, beginning at 3:45. 
5. ALL PRESENTATIONS/PERFORMANCES MUST BE IN PERSON. There are no exceptions. 
6. The winner will be announced immediately afterward on Friday, May 15th. 
7. The winner will rehearse with Ms. Pristera and others as many times as needed to perfect cadence, presentation, and poise. This is a mandatory requirement. 
8. You will be required to rehearse your speech on the graduation stage with Ms. Pristera on Monday, June 1, after senior activities. 

Good luck to all seniors!