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Chiawana High School celebrates Class of 2025 as superintendent certifies graduates
Summary
Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented Chiawana High School’s Class of 2025, confirmed the students met district and state requirements, and the ceremony featured 13 valedictorian speeches, military recognition and the traditional tassel move and cap toss.
Chiawana High School held its commencement ceremony in Pasco, Washington, where Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented the graduating class and certified that the students met the district’s and the state of Washington’s graduation requirements.
The ceremony recognized graduates bound for military service, honored sponsors and school leaders, and featured remarks from multiple valedictorians. Assistant Principal Brian Baker thanked sponsors and the Pasco School Board of Directors before introducing a series of student speakers. One valedictorian, Randy Alcalde, urged classmates not to wait for guarantees, saying, “We often find ourselves waiting for guarantees and perfection, but if we wait until every single uncertainty has been resolved, we may find that it’s too late.”
The superintendent’s formal presentation came near the end of the program. “I confirm the students before you have met all the graduation requirements, standards and policies as set by the Pasco School District board of directors and the state of Washington,” Michelle Whitney said as she presented the graduates.
Brian Baker, who served as assistant principal for the graduating class, named the ceremony’s sponsors — 5 Star Guttering, the Pasco Kiwanis Club, Quasistos Landscaping and Pro Painting — and asked the audience to recognize the district’s board and student representatives. The program included recognition for graduates who chose to serve in the U.S. armed forces; recipients of braided red, white and blue cords were asked to stand.
Speeches from the class’ valedictorians touched on common themes including uncertainty about the future, resilience, personal growth and service. The program listed a sequence of valedictorian speakers and other student remarks; the senior class president, Mariah Barajas Diaz, was introduced toward the close of the ceremony.
As is customary, graduates were instructed to move their tassels from right to left as a symbol of graduation and were then invited to toss their caps. Families were later invited onto the field to join graduates for post-ceremony celebrations.
The ceremony was primarily ceremonial and celebratory; no board votes or policy changes were recorded during the event.
