At a commencement ceremony for East High School’s class of 2025, school leaders and members of the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education formally presented diplomas and recognized academic and extracurricular achievements.

Principal Ryan Oakes opened remarks and formally certified the graduates for acceptance by the district board and the Utah State Board of Education, saying, “I certify that the East High seniors sitting in front of you today have met and fulfilled the requirements for graduation as set forth by the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education and the Utah State Board of Education,” and presented the class for acceptance by the board.

The ceremony featured student speakers who reflected on high school experiences and urged graduates to remain present and engaged. Student body president Susiah Fu told classmates, “Today is not my day. It’s yours,” and senior class president Gracie Lund said, “Tonight is a moment to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and look to the future.” Board member Mohammed Baid delivered a personal address that urged graduates to embrace challenges and use their voices in civic life: “Be strong. Your voices are so powerful.”

Oakes and other presenters highlighted the class’s academic accomplishments and extracurricular participation. He said the class earned more than $5,000,000 in scholarship offers. The principal also recognized students who earned honors including: 12 seniors with academic all-state recognition in 14 sports, 51 AP Scholar Award winners (including AP honors and AP capstone candidates), 30 National Honor Society members, 68 career and technical education (CTE) pathway completers, and 57 recipients of the Utah Seal of Biliteracy.

The Salt Lake City School District Board members and Superintendent Elizabeth Grant were onstage to accept the class for graduation. Board members named by Oakes included Mohammed Baid, Bryce Williams, Charlotte Fife Jefferson, Brian Jensen and Nate Salazar. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Grant, an East High alum, joined the board onstage as the diplomas were presented.

Oakes also called out individual honors including the salutatorian, Oliver Alejandro Oviedo Kellgren, and the valedictorian, May Kingsburg. The East High Madrigals performed the national anthem earlier in the program.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional turning of tassels; principals and board members then conferred diplomas and recognized families and faculty for their roles in the students’ achievement. A closing line in the transcript observed the informal conclusion of the event: “You are now free to live the rest of your summer.”

No formal board votes, policy changes or motions were recorded during the ceremony portion of the event in the transcript.