Eatonville School District certifies Class of 2025; administrators note dual-credit and career programs

Amy Sturtevant, principal at Eatonville High School, opened the commencement for the Eatonville School District’s Class of 2025 and welcomed family and community members before student speakers and district officials presented diplomas.

The Eatonville School District administration, represented by Superintendent Jay Brower, affirmed that the graduating class “has met all Washington State educational requirements for a high school diploma” and recommended that diplomas be issued in accordance with state law and district board policy. Brower addressed graduates and the audience before the formal presentation of diplomas.

The ceremony included remarks and reflections from student leaders. Victor Pena Moreno and Mary Van Eaton delivered valedictory remarks; Bailey Anderson spoke as salutatorian and was identified in the program as the student representative to the Eatonville School Board. Senior Aubrey Meadows performed a musical solo earlier in the program. Faculty members Mike Moller and Lisa Wolf announced student names during the diploma presentation.

School and student achievements cited during the ceremony included a tally of 127 graduates; 25 students participating in the Pierce County Skills Center; 42 students who earned college credit through Central Washington University course offerings at Eatonville High School; 27 Running Start participants; 11 graduates earning an associate degree at commencement; and 92 students who earned dual credit through the school’s career and technical education (CTE) classes in partnership with Pierce College, Bates and Clover Park Technical College. Speakers stated the class earned “over 2,000 college credits” and noted an average of about 20 college credits per participating student. The principal also said 44 graduates finished with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Superintendent Jay Brower thanked the community and staff in his remarks and reiterated the district’s certification language before the diplomas were presented. After the recessional, graduates were directed to a reception room to pick up their physical diplomas; the administration closed that area to family and friends until all graduates had received theirs.

The ceremony combined formal district action — the administration’s certification that state graduation requirements were satisfied — with customary commencement elements: student speeches, musical performance, and the public reading of graduates’ names. No formal vote was recorded during the ceremony.