Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education High School Graduation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palm Desert High School presents diplomas to class of 2025 in Aztec Stadium commencement
Summary
Palm Desert High School held its commencement at Aztec Stadium where district and city leaders joined school officials and student speakers to recognize the largest graduating class in school history and the superintendent formally certified graduates as meeting state and district requirements.
Palm Desert High School conferred diplomas on the Class of 2025 at a commencement ceremony held at Aztec Stadium, with Desert Sands Unified School District and City of Palm Desert officials in attendance and student speakers reflecting on the class's achievements.
The superintendent of Desert Sands Unified School District, Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar, formally recognized the graduates, saying, "By the power vested in me by the state of California and the Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education, it's with great pride that I officially recognize this class, the class of 2025, as graduates of Palm Desert High School."
The ceremony brought community leaders, district trustees and families together to mark the milestone. Dr. Kylie Watson, president of the Desert Sands Unified Board of Education, addressed graduates and urged them to "embrace change" as they move forward. Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik told the graduates, "the entire community of Palm Desert is beside you, and we are behind you," and encouraged them to be "bold, independent thinkers."
Student speakers highlighted campus life and accomplishments. Student speaker Zach Blanton Small Eye said the seniors were "the largest graduating class, 458 students strong," and described the class's shared experiences — academics, athletics and extracurriculars — that shaped their time at the school. Other student speakers and the Associated Student Body president reflected on resilience, community and next steps after graduation.
The program included formal elements of ceremony and school tradition: a presentation of colors by the Palm Desert High School cadet corps, musical performances by the PDHS chamber singers and the wind ensemble, and a final tassel-turning and fireworks sequence. School principal Mrs. Saig and district leaders recognized staff and parent volunteers for organizing the event and supporting students' academic and extracurricular achievements.
The ceremony closed with the superintendent's certification that students had met the requirements of the State of California and Desert Sands Unified School District for a high school diploma or a certificate of course completion, after which graduates proceeded with the tassel turn and the traditional post-ceremony activities on the field.
Details such as individual awards, postsecondary destinations for graduates and any follow-up district actions were not specified during the ceremony.
