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New Horizons High School celebrates Class of 2025; superintendent presents diplomas
Summary
New Horizons High School held a commencement ceremony for its Class of 2025 at the school with Principal Becky Hitchman, Superintendent Michelle Whitney and student speakers highlighting resilience and the district confirming graduation requirements were met.
Principal Becky Hitchman opened New Horizons High School's commencement ceremony and told the Class of 2025 that the school’s theme, “mission possible,” reflects the students’ perseverance and growth.
The ceremony brought staff, school board members and families together to recognize graduates who, school leaders said, met district and state graduation requirements. Superintendent Michelle Whitney formally presented the class for graduation and announced that the students had met “all the graduation requirements, standards, and policies as set forth by the Pasco School District Board of Directors and the state of Washington.”
Hitchman, the school principal, framed the ceremony around the school’s core values, which staff call RISE: “respect, integrity, safety, and excellence.” She said the school measures success “by growth, by grit, and by grace” and called the graduates’ journeys evidence that the theme was “more than words.”
CTE teacher and senior advisor Mrs. Brewster told graduates the school prepared them for life beyond the ceremony, saying, “While life does change, please know that we didn't just prepare you for graduation. We've worked hard to help prepare you for anything that comes your way.”
Student speakers described personal challenges they faced on the path to graduation. Viridiana Gallegos Najera spoke about becoming a mother of twins while in school and credited family and staff for support: “They showed up,” she said, describing help that included schedule changes and personal support from staff. Valedictorian David Novella told classmates, “Nothing is impossible,” and urged graduates to persist through setbacks.
School leaders recognized two co-valedictorians, David Novella and Ava Mordu, and noted that one New Horizons student was chosen for the Pasco School District's 2025–26 calendar cover. Board members and district staff stood with families as graduates came forward to receive diplomas.
The ceremony concluded with graduates moving their tassels from right to left and exiting the auditorium to celebrate with families and friends.
