Thousands of friends and family gathered to celebrate the graduation of the Pioneer High School Class of 2025 on Thursday evening, marking the first class to have had an entirely “traditional” high school experience since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pomp and Circumstance blared through the high school football stadium on June 5 as members of the graduating class marched in, clad in their caps, gowns, cords, and robes, cementing their accomplishments through their high school tenure.
With members of the Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees in attendance, willing and ready to participate where needed, PHS Principal Sandra Reese took the podium for a brief introduction, followed by a multi-lingual welcome.
“You’re the first class in five years that’s gotten a full high school experience, and we are so proud of you,” Reese told the grads on Thursday. “Your path was not easy, I know you didn’t do it alone. You have parents and guardians, families who nagged you and fed you and drove you and encouraged you and loved you.”
Reese also shouted out her faculty in her address, thanking them for all the hard work teachers do to equip students with the skills needed to succeed outside the classroom. To close out her remarks, Reese quoted a song by Rod Stewart, Forever Young.
“Me, the good Lord be with you down every road you roam, and may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home. And may you grow to be proud, dignified, and true, and do unto others as you would have done to you,” Reese recited to the audience, then turning her attention to the hundreds of graduating students. “Be courageous and be brave. And in my heart, you’ll always stay forever. Class of 2025, take a deep breath and enjoy this moment.”
Salutatorians Naomi Tamene and Fatima Martinez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Pioneer choir, which featured several graduating seniors, performed the national anthem. Lastly, students Isabel Cardona and Valentina Chavarin Saludado presented a land acknowledgment.
Next up was WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin, who came up for her annual remarks. Ortega-Lampkin used her time at the podium to offer the seniors some wise words to take with them on their next steps.
“Today isn’t just a ceremony. It’s a celebration of your courage, your determination, your growth,” Ortega-Lampkin said. “Every late night, every obstacle, every challenge, every moment you chose to keep going, is all brought you here today. You have proven that you are ready. You have proven that you are capable, and you have proven that you are true Pioneer Patriots, not just a name, but in spirit.”
Valedictorian Jack Cullison gave remarks to his peers, promising to adhere to the advice he sought from others to “keep it short.” When preparing for his speech, Cullison said he researched what other students across the country have said in their valedictorian addresses. One theme kept coming back in each speech Cullison watched: enjoying the moment.
“Most of us can agree that we need to be more present in our day-to-day activities, mindful of the time we are spending with loved ones, friends, but to enjoy these moments, we first have to create them,” the graduating senior said. “As a kid, creating moments looked like jumping off the high dive or riding the big roller coaster. It looked like making new friends on the first day of kindergarten, learning how to multiply 12 times 12, or even simply playing tag at recess. We didn’t know we were creating moments, but we created them anyway.”
Cullison reminded his peers that no matter what their next step is — whether it’s college, entering the workforce, or if they’re unsure of the next steps in their journey — they need to be the ones to take initiative to seize the moment.
“I encourage everyone sitting in front of me today — don’t sit back and let moments come to you. Go get them,” he said. “Try that new hobby. Ask for that raise. Go on the road trip with the friends you barely know. At the very least, you’ll have a good story to tell about getting stuck on the side of the road with the the flat tire, or maybe you’ll have a story of changing the world.”
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