Grads go with Grace

Simi Valley Acorn
May 29, 2026
There’s nothing quite like that moment when a cap goes flying into the air, and last week, Grace Church in Simi Valley was filled with exactly that kind of joy. According to the *Simi Valley Acorn*, Grace High School held its 48th commencement ceremony on May 22, celebrating 59 seniors who are heading off to more than 80 colleges and universities. What really caught my eye, though, is that some of these grads are taking a different path—joining the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard. In a world that often pushes everyone toward a four-year degree, it’s refreshing to see our community celebrating every kind of service and ambition.
This matters to us here in Simi because Grace High has been a quiet anchor for decades, sending kids out into the world with both faith and grit. Whether they’re studying across the country or protecting our coastlines, these 59 students represent the best of our local spirit. So next time you’re grabbing coffee on Los Angeles Avenue, take a moment to cheer for these grads—they’re the ones making our town proud, one cap toss at a time.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Simi Valley Acorn.
City
Simi ValleySource
Simi Valley AcornPublished
May 29, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore Simi ValleyAll Simi Valley NewsMore News from Simi Valley
Simi ValleySimi town hall raises specter of immigration enforcement
It was a heavy but important evening at the Simi Valley United Church of Christ last week, where about 60 neighbors gathered for a town hall that cut straight to the heart of our community. According to the *Simi Valley Acorn*, the meeting—hosted by the Simi Valley Immigrant Coalition—was filled with real fear, frustration, and a powerful call to action around immigration enforcement and how it’s impacting local families. These weren’t abstract debates; these were students worrying about their parents, business owners wondering about their workforce, and all of us grappling with what it means to feel safe in our own hometown. What struck me most about this story is that it wasn’t a protest—it was a conversation. In a city like Simi, where we pride ourselves on being a close-knit community, events like this remind us that our neighbors’ struggles are our own. Whether you agree on policy or not, the courage to show up and share those stories matters. The *Acorn*’s coverage shows that Simi Valley is still a place where people will fill a church hall to look out for one another—and that’s a story worth holding onto.
Simi ValleyCompensation scandal hits county office of education
Well, neighbors, it looks like there’s some serious turbulence over at the Ventura County Office of Education. According to the *Simi Valley Acorn*, Superintendent César Morales dropped a bombshell late on a Friday afternoon—right before the long weekend—about a compensation scandal that’s now sending shockwaves through our local schools and political circles. For those of us in Simi Valley, where our kids’ education and tax dollars are deeply tied to VCOE decisions, this hits close to home. It’s the kind of news that makes you wonder who’s watching the store when the lights are off. Morales, who stepped into the top role back in 2021 and ran unopposed, now finds himself at the center of a mess that raises real questions about transparency. Whether this involves inflated salaries, questionable bonuses, or something else entirely, the timing—right before a weekend—feels a bit too convenient for my taste. As Simi Valley parents and residents, we trust our county office to steward resources wisely, especially after the tough years our schools have faced. Let’s hope the *Acorn* keeps digging, because our community deserves straight answers, not late-Friday surprises.
Simi ValleyExact cause still undetermined
Well, neighbors, it’s been another tense week here in Simi Valley. As many of you know, the Sandy fire tore through those rugged hillsides above town starting the morning of May 18, and according to the *Simi Valley Acorn*, the exact cause is still undetermined. What we do know is that at least one home was lost, thousands of us had to evacuate, and investigators are looking into whether a brush-clearing operation might have accidentally sparked the whole thing. On a day with gusty winds and dry conditions near Sandy Avenue, it’s a stark reminder that even well-intentioned fire prevention work can go sideways in a heartbeat. For those of us who live here, those hills aren’t just scenery—they’re part of our daily backdrop, our hiking trails, our sense of home. Watching flames race through them hits close, especially after recent years of drought and fire danger. The good news is that our first responders and community rallied fast, and no lives were lost. But this leaves us with some hard questions about how we manage our wildland-urban interface, especially as development creeps closer to those slopes. Let’s keep an eye on the *Acorn* for updates—and maybe give an extra thank-you to our firefighters next time you see them at the coffee shop.