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Indio High awards diplomas to 441 graduates as community honors students and staff
Summary
Indio High School held its 64th commencement ceremony, awarding diplomas to 441 members of the Class of 2025. School and district leaders, student officers and community partners highlighted academic honors, extracurricular achievements and the principal's final commencement.
Indio High School graduated 441 seniors in a commencement ceremony that brought together students, families, district officials and city leaders.
The ceremony opened with remarks from Edgar Magana Garcia, the class ASB president, who said the night was “a celebration of our every late night study session, every challenge we've overcome, and every moment that has shaped us into who we are today.” The program included the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem performed by senior Jesus Milan, student speeches, awards, and presentation of diplomas.
The gathering drew school and district leaders. Derek Lawson, principal of Indio High School, presided over what the school described as his final graduation as principal. Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmer and members of the Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education were on the dais; Board member Linda Porras addressed the graduates and thanked families and staff for their support.
The ceremony noted several measures of student achievement: 47 summa cum laude graduates with a GPA above 4.0, about 235 students wearing a gold tassel indicating they are “A–G” college-ready, and over 200 graduates recognized with honor cords and stoles for subject-area distinctions. Students and staff also highlighted athletic and extracurricular successes, including multiple league championships and national recognitions for the school’s leadership programs.
Speakers repeatedly emphasized school culture and community. Principal Lawson told graduates he was “proud of your dedication to academic success and your commitment to Raja positivity, respect, integrity, determination, and excellence.” Board member Linda Porras thanked families and urged students to “listen to your own voice, your own heart, and follow your own dreams.”
The ceremony included a recognition of partnerships with higher-education institutions: Mary Jane Fulton Sanchez, a trustee of College of the Desert, attended as a guest tied to the school’s dual-enrollment partnership. The program closed with the band’s performance, presentation of diplomas and a formal declaration by the superintendent recognizing the class as graduates of Indio High School.
Less formal elements included staged surprises and student-led honors: students presented Principal Lawson with a tribute during the ceremony, and the program noted a fireworks celebration scheduled after the event. The district-hosted ceremony encompassed formal diplomas, multiple named awards and remarks from student leaders before families were asked to remain until post-ceremony fireworks concluded.
