Huntington Middle School promotes class of 2025; JP Blacksmith award highlighted

Principal Mary Hazlett opened Huntington Middle School’s 2025 promotion ceremony and asked the audience to "afford this ceremony with the dignity and respect these students have earned," as the school presented its promoting class and recognized staff, volunteers and community partners.

The event, attended by members of the San Marino Unified School District leadership and the San Marino Board of Education, honored academic, arts and athletic achievements and included remarks from student and district leaders. "Congrats, HMS class of 2025," said Jonathan Hughes, ASB president, in his address to classmates. School Board Vice President Franchesca Gill encouraged students to be brave and resilient and quoted Dr. Seuss: "You're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way."

Gill also presented background on the JP Blacksmith award, saying it honors leadership and service. She noted the award’s origin in memory of JP, a former Valentine Elementary student and U.S. Marine who died in the Battle of Fallujah on Nov. 11, 2004, and cited previous recipients to underscore the award’s history and values.

Principal Hazlett and school staff acknowledged the range of contributors to student life at Huntington, including classroom teachers, counselors and student-support staff, campus maintenance and the San Marino Police and Fire departments. The ceremony recognized honors across academics, clubs and athletics, naming students who received California Junior Scholarship Federation awards, academic distinctions (bronze, silver, gold and "super gold" for all A’s three years), and participants in programs from Science Olympiad and mock trial to jazz band and robotics.

Administrators and district leaders present included Superintendent Dr. Linda Dela Torre and members of the district administrative team; certificates were presented onstage by Board of Education members and the superintendent in a rotating line of presenters. The school announced logistical details for families: promotion certificate holders were distributed on stage, with official certificates and graduation-party wristbands available after the ceremony at the front lunch court. The PTA is hosting an after-party at the San Gabriel Country Club from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; students must arrive in grad wear, arrive no later than 9 p.m., and be picked up at 11 p.m. Phones are not allowed inside the club and will be checked at entry if brought.

The ceremony included musical performances by the HMS varsity band under band director Katie Simpson and closed with the playing of the school alma mater, "Dear Old Huntington," identified at the ceremony as the original alma mater dating to 1938, words and music by Esther Alkire Getz and arranged by Richard Shermer. A live stream of the ceremony is available through the school website for family members who could not attend.