Totem pole’s long journey
Beautiful crafts from around the world
Pole stops in Montecito on its way to D.C. to honor secretary of interior - A3
Fair Trade collection graces museum store - B1
Our 166th Year
S AT U R DAY, J U N E 12 , 2 021
Relentless Warrior spirit
Carpinteria High School celebrates graduation with Olympic gold medalist
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Oprah to speak at graduation UCSB’s commencement is today By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Montecito author and talk show host Oprah Winfrey will address the Class of 2021 this morning during UCSB’s online commencement ceremony. The one-hour virtual graduation will take place at 10 a.m. Ms. Winfrey recently coauthored “What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing” with Dr. Bruce D. Perry, a renowned trauma expert. The book has been on the New York Times bestsellers list. In March, Ms. Winfrey interviewed fellow Montecito residents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a bombshell interview that aired on CBS and covered the couple’s disagreements with the royal family. In addition to her books and interviews, Ms. Winfrey is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who operates The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation. And longtime fans will remember her co-starring with Whoopi Goldberg in “The Color Purple”
(1985). In addition to Ms. Winfrey, this morning’s graduation will feature Ebelechukwu Eseka as the student speaker. The sociology graduate is of Nigerian and Ghanian descent and emigrated to the United States when she was 14. She landed at UCSB as a Promise Scholar, which allowed her access to resources and mentors who helped her come into her own. Ms. Eseka received the Deans’ Award for Outstanding Senior and the Thomas More Storke Award, UCSB’s highest student honor. Mr. Storke (1876-1971) was publisher of the News-Press, and the campus’ Storke Tower is named after him. After graduation, Ms. Eseka plans to pursue a career to be a public interest attorney. Today’s events will include multiple virtual celebrations arranged by the university’s schools, academic divisions and departments. For more information, visit ucsb.edu/ commencement. News-Press staff writer Grayce McCormick contributed to this story. email: dmason@newspress.com
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
About 140 seniors graduated from Carpinteria High School on Thursday night during an in-person ceremony at the school’s stadium.
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
For the first time in school history, Carpinteria High School welcomed a special keynote speaker to encourage the class of 2021 during its commencement Thursday. Dain Blanton, a beach volleyball champion and Olympic gold medalist, addressed about 140 graduates during the school’s 104th graduation ceremony. Students recognized Mr. Blanton from his involvement with the “Get Focused … Stay Focused” program, which encourages students to create a career-and-life plan before leaving high school. Surrounded by graduates donning red caps and gowns, Mr. Blanton reminisced on his Olympic experience during his address to students. He told Please see CARP on A4
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS
Priscilla Fossek painted “Mission Garden 2021,” an oil on canvas.
Mission’s 200th anniversary Local artists paint historic landmark for gift shop’s inaugural exhibition By MARILYN MCMAHON
MORE INSIDE High schools in Santa Maria held their commencements. A5.
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Students donned red caps and gowns during the outdoor ceremony.
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To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Mission, an exhibition by local artists is on view at
the Mission Gift Shop through Sept. 3. The shop, which is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., is also hosting special “Art After Hours” from 5 to 6 p.m. Please see mission on a2
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