Ralston High School awards $8.4 million in scholarships as 215 seniors graduate

Ralston High School conferred diplomas to 215 members of the class of 2025 at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena, where administrators said graduates collectively earned $8,400,000 in scholarship offers and recognized academic, service and career-education achievements.

Dr. Ryan Pavanca, principal of Ralston High School, opened the ceremony and later formally certified that the students “have met all requirements as set forth by the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education and the Nebraska State Department of Education and have earned the right to receive a high school diploma.”

Superintendent Jason Buckingham of Ralston Public Schools told graduates that “graduation day is the beginning of the next chapter of your life,” and urged them to be resilient when plans change. Mayor Don Grocer, speaking for the city of Ralston, welcomed attendees and called it “a privilege to host the 2025 Ralston graduation.” Robin Richards, president of the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education, told the class the board “could not be more proud of you.”

Two students served as valedictorians. Allison Grace Schonbacher thanked staff and coaches and reflected on friendships and perseverance, saying she was “truly grateful to be named one of the valedictorians of the class of 2025.” Morgan Ritchie addressed classmates with a message of encouragement, telling graduates plainly, “you can do it,” and acknowledging classmates who faced hardships while completing school.

Ceremony recognitions cited several formal achievement categories used by the district. The principal said 215 seniors were prepared to graduate; administrators announced the graduating class had received $8,400,000 in scholarship offers. Students graduating with honors were identified by a cumulative grade-point average of 4.0 or higher and were awarded cords (gold, silver or white). The school recognized students with 100 or more hours of community service (“graduating with excellence”) and those with 200 or more hours (“graduating with character”). The district noted 18 career-education “blueprint” programs; students who completed a program received a pin.

The ceremony also named students who earned college credits while in high school: Aurora Cortiroli, Lillian Wagner and Mari Luna were recognized for earning associate’s degrees through Metro Community College. School officials acknowledged one graduate currently serving in the U.S. military, United States Marine Bajan Bobajanov, who was at basic training and was read aloud for recognition.

Musical performances included a selection from the Ralston Concert Choir under director Michael O’Brien, accompanied by Kimberly Pierce. The program concluded with the traditional tassel-turning that the principal presided over to mark graduates’ official conferral of degrees.

The event included remarks from board members and district leaders and public recognition of families, staff and community partners including the Ralston Police Department, Ralston Public Works, Ralston Baywright Library and the Ralston Fire Department. No formal policy changes, votes or district actions beyond the certification of graduation were reported at the ceremony.