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La Quinta reads names first as thunderstorms loom; district superintendent certifies 525 graduates
Summary
Officials at La Quinta High School shifted the program order because of storm risk, read the names of the Class of 2025, and Dr. Maeve Omer formally presented 525 students as graduates of La Quinta High School under authority of the Desert Sands Unified School District.
La Quinta High School began its commencement program by reading the names of graduates because of a forecast of thunderstorms, and Dr. Maeve Omer, superintendent of Desert Sands Unified School District, formally presented the class of 2025 to the audience.
“By the power vested in me by the state of California and the Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education, I now present to you the class of 2025,” Dr. Maeve Omer said before students crossed the stage to be recognized.
School officials said the order change — reading names first, then holding student speeches if the weather allowed — was intended to ensure every graduate would be able to cross the stage before rain arrived. The ceremony included a performance of the national anthem by Mackenzie Alberts and the presentation of colors by the Air Force group on site.
An announcer and school staff read hundreds of names in sequence; the ceremony referenced the full roster as “525 graduates.” Principal Greg O’Meara and other administrators recognized several longtime staff members during the program, naming John Adler, Maria Puente, Jean Maria Tron and Joe Pageant for their years of service. Officials also thanked school staff and the many teachers and volunteers in attendance.
Event instructions told families to remain in their seats for a planned fireworks display and the turning of tassels; officials said gates would open at the conclusion of the fireworks for guests to join graduates.
The certificate presentation and the reading of names were procedural acts performed by school and district officials during the commencement and did not include votes or formal policy actions.
