NEWS Staff Report
Upcoming commencement ceremonies for the San Benito, Los Fresnos, and Rio Hondo High School classes of 2026 are scheduled for the coming days.
San Benito High School is hosting its ceremony this evening, Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with an inclement-weather make-up date scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.
If neither date is suitable for the ceremonies, Sunday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. has been set aside as a third alternative.
Graduating students are asked to arrive at the San Benito High Varsity Gym by 4:30 p.m. Graduation ceremonies are being held at Bobby Morrow Stadium, 2025 La Palma St., San Benito.
Administrators are asking prospective graduates and parents to be aware of the guidelines for decorating graduation caps, as outlined in their graduation handbooks.
Gowns cannot be decorated or altered in any way.
Administrators warn that students who violate this rule risk being barred from walking during the commencement ceremonies.
Academic honors and military stoles are permitted. No other stoles are allowed, and only Benito High School-issued academic cords may be worn throughout the ceremonies.
The school district is also monitoring weather forecasts ahead of graduation day.
District officials noted that they are focusing on the safety of students, staff, and guests during the graduation ceremony by monitoring weather forecasts that has indicated rain and lightning throughout the week.
“We will keep our district’s social media pages updated daily and send email and text notifications to the parents of graduates with the latest information,” the District posted on its social media pages.
San Benito Schools intends to host graduation ceremonies that will create lasting memories for the Class of 2026, the post continued.
Administrators encourage seniors to visit their Senior Google Classroom to access the Graduation Handbook, which answers many questions they may have about the commencement ceremony.
They are further asked to contact Ceci Gonzalez at cegonzalez@sbcisd.net or Gabriel Trevino at getrevino@sbcisd.net if needed.
For more information, call San Benito High School at (956) 361-6500.
Los Fresnos High School
As reported in last week’s edition of the NEWS, the Los Fresnos school district is preparing to celebrate one of its largest graduating classes with 843 candidates set to participate in the high school’s Class of 2026 commencement on Saturday, May 23, at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.
According to Victoria Cisneros, Communications Coordinator for Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District (LFCISD), commencement exercises are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public with no tickets required.
Stadium gates open at 6 p.m., with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates are expected to arrive by 6:30 p.m. and gather at the north end of the stadium track before the processional begins.
Cisneros stated that graduates are marching down each side of the track toward the south end zone, where the stage is being set in front of the stadium’s video board.
A rehearsal for graduating seniors is scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m., and students are asked to arrive by 6 p.m.
Cisneros also outlined several safety and attendance guidelines for commencement guests. The stadium’s standard clear-bag policy applies to all attendees, and security regulations prohibit confetti and confetti poppers during the ceremony.
“Cameras are allowed, but drone photography is strictly prohibited before and during commencement,” Cisneros said.
Spectators are permitted to bring gifts as long as they do not obstruct other attendees’ views, and water in clear bottles is also allowed inside the stadium.
For those unable to attend in person, the district is livestreaming the ceremony on its official YouTube channel starting at 7:15 p.m.
If weather conditions require it, commencement exercises will be postponed to Sunday, May 24.
Families seeking additional information about graduation logistics or ceremony procedures may contact Los Fresnos High School at (956) 254-5300.
Rio Hondo High School
School district officials here are preparing to celebrate 104 graduating seniors at the district’s 2026 commencement, set for Friday, May 29, 2026, at Bobcat Stadium.
As reported here last week, according to information provided by Rio Hondo Independent School District (RHISD) Superintendent of Schools Raul J. Trevino and Rio Hondo High School (RHHS) Administrator Joel W. Alaffa, the outdoor ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., with stadium gates opening to the public at 7 p.m.
School officials said the graduation stage is being set at midfield, facing the stadium’s home side. In case of inclement weather, the district has designated May 30 and June 1 as potential makeup dates.
District officials also outlined several safety and attendance guidelines for families and guests attending the commencement.
A clear-bag policy is in effect, and all bags are being inspected before entering the stadium. School officials also announced that confetti, party poppers, silly string, and bullhorns are not permitted at the ceremony.
“Flowers are permitted,” officials noted, “but graduates may not carry them at the ceremony.”
The district also asked attendees to remain seated throughout the commencement program to ensure visibility and safety for all guests. Parents and family members are permitted to enter the field after the ceremony concludes.
Additionally, officials stated that gift bags must remain in vehicles and cannot be brought into the stadium.
Rio Hondo ISD’s Class of 2026 commencement marks the culmination of the school year for more than 100 graduating seniors, with family members, friends, and staff gathering to celebrate the milestone.
Administrators encourage attendees to arrive early to allow time for parking, security checks, and seating before the ceremony.
Bobcat Stadium is located at 22547 TX-345, Rio Hondo, on high school grounds. For more information, contact RHHS at (956) 748-1200.