Pasco High School held its 117th commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Edgar Brown Stadium, where school and district leaders, student speakers and honorees marked graduation and post‑secondary plans.

Principal Veronica Machado opened the ceremony and thanked community sponsors, saying, "On behalf of the entire Pasco High staff and administration, congratulations, Class of 2025." Machado also named 5 Star Guttering, the Pasco Kiwanis Club and Wescitos Landscaping and Pro Painting as sponsors that helped make the night possible.

The evening featured student remarks from Valedictorian Madeline Walker, who said students should avoid perfectionism and instead "give 95% of your best given your current circumstances," and several other student and staff speakers who reflected on resilience and next steps. Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented the graduates and said the students had met district and state graduation requirements: "Members of the Pasco School District Board of Directors, the students seated before you have met all of the graduation requirements, standards, and policies as set forth by the Pasco School District Board of Directors and the state of Washington."

Why it matters: Commencement ceremonies publicly mark students' completion of district and state requirements and spotlight post‑secondary pathways and local supports, from career and technical certificates to college and military commitments.

Details: The program identified student honors and recognitions across multiple categories. The ceremony acknowledged foreign exchange students from several countries, students who committed to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, Career and Technical Education certification recipients, and Running Start students who will earn or have earned associate degrees. Staff read winners of scholarships noted in the program and said those scholarships totaled "millions of dollars" toward students' education. The program also recognized Dean's List students (defined in the program as a 3.7 or greater cumulative GPA), students earning the Seal of Biliteracy (wearing red and gold cords), and National Honor Society members.

Speakers and presentations included principal Veronica Machado; Student Services Department Chair Lisa Chiesa; valedictorian Madeline Walker; Bailey Peterson (principal's list elected speaker); bilingual student speakers Alina Hernandez Ortega and Estefani Bojorquez Gutierrez; ASB president David Ochoa; Superintendent Michelle Whitney; and members of the Pasco School District Board of Directors represented that night by Board President Amanda Brown, Vice President Steve Simmons, board members Dr. John Kennedy, Dr. Steve Norberg and Amy Phillips, and student board representative Owen Bergstrom. Several hundred student names were read aloud as graduates were presented in a long roll call portion of the ceremony.

What speakers said: Walker reflected on perfectionism and effort: "Perfectionism is overrated... I've redefined it as give 95% of your best given your current circumstances." Bailey Peterson encouraged classmates to "fail forward" and emphasized resilience built during shared challenges. Superintendent Whitney formally presented the class after confirming they met district and state standards.

Process and scope: The ceremony was celebratory and ceremonial; no formal district policy changes or votes occurred during the event. The district's role in the ceremony was limited to presentation of diplomas, acknowledgements and customary recognitions described in the printed program.

Looking ahead: After the tassel turn that signaled their graduation, families were invited to greet graduates in the end‑zone areas. The ceremony concluded with the superintendent and board representatives presenting the class to the community.