Heritage High graduates urged to lead, adapt and stay curious

Heritage High School student speakers at the Class of 2025 graduation onstage at the Vine Center urged their classmates to carry everyday leadership, adaptability and curiosity into the next stage of their lives.

In opening remarks, senior Isaiah Fuma introduced the ceremony and himself, saying, “My name is Isaiah Fuma and I'll be attending CBCC then transferring to a 4 year school majoring in business with a goal of becoming a realtor.” He welcomed graduates, faculty, staff, families and guests to the ceremony.

Salutatorian Alex Stickel told classmates that leadership “doesn't always look like a spotlight or a microphone,” and described everyday actions — showing up on time, helping after events, welcoming new students — as leadership. “Some of the most powerful leadership happens in monotonous roles,” Stickel said, noting that consistent, small efforts “are the glue that hold everything together.”

Student-body representative Sierra Hester emphasized adaptability, urging graduates to “be adaptable” as they encounter changes in college, careers or life. Hester noted the class’s accomplishments and resilience, and cited the class’s scholarship total during her remarks: “We are a class that accumulated $4,000,000 in scholarship money.”

Valedictorian Calvin Guo urged classmates to remain curious, calling curiosity “the start of something great” and encouraging graduates to ask questions and learn from failure as they move on to college, careers or military service.

The student speeches were part of a larger ceremony that also included awards and the formal conferral of diplomas by a school official. The remarks focused on values — service, adaptability and intellectual curiosity — students and staff identified as central to the Heritage High experience.