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Orem High celebrates Class of 2025; Alpine School District officials certify graduates
Summary
Orem High School held its Class of 2025 commencement at the UCCU Center. Student leaders and speakers highlighted academic and extracurricular honors; Principal Tammy Stewart certified graduates met Alpine School District requirements and Alpine School Board Vice President Emily Peterson accepted the class.
Orem — Orem High School celebrated its Class of 2025 at commencement exercises at the UCCU Center, where student leaders, faculty and district officials honored graduates' academic and extracurricular achievements and the school formally presented the class for certification by the district.
Senior class president Stella Rhodes opened the program and reviewed academic highlights, saying, "49 of you held down a 4 GPA all 4 years." Rhodes also noted scholarship offers totaling $8,600,000 and a range of honors earned by students.
The program included a commencement address by Ami Tonomonga, who urged graduates "to seize the day" and embrace uncertainty as they move into college, careers or other next steps. Student speakers and musical performances followed, including a national anthem sung by Sterling Scholar Logan Duet and choir performances conducted by Ashley Eyre.
Principal Tammy Stewart formally presented the graduates to the board, saying she certified they had met the district's requirements: "Board member, board vice president Peterson, I certify that these graduates have completed all of the requirements as set forth by Alpine School District and the Board of Education to graduate at commencement." Alpine School Board Vice President Emily Peterson accepted on behalf of the board and addressed the class, congratulating the students.
Student achievements noted in remarks during the ceremony included two National Merit Scholarship finalists, Elsie O'Barr and Claire Weichel; 75 seniors earning the Utah State Seal of Biliteracy; 28 academic All-State recipients; Sterling Scholar finalists Peyton Shields and Shion Tsunemura (the latter mentioned as a top high school jazz saxophonist); a ProStart culinary team that won state competition and went on to nationals; individual state championships in multiple sports; and a unified soccer team winning a third straight title. Remarks also referenced an investment team that "took first in the Utah State Treasurer's Investment Challenge," and a statement that "16 seniors took 80 AP tests this year." Speakers presented these numbers as part of their remarks; the ceremony did not include additional administrative clarification about the precise composition or verification of each figure.
The ceremony followed standard commencement traditions: student tributes, musical performances, the tassel turn and the school song, followed by the graduates' exit. District superintendent Dr. Shane Farnsworth and other district staff were in attendance and were acknowledged onstage.
The presentation at commencement was ceremonial and administrative; the transcript contains the principal's certification and the board vice president's acceptance but records no formal vote. The event focused on celebrating graduates' accomplishments and presenting the class to the Alpine School District Board of Education for acceptance.
For families and community members, the ceremony highlighted both individual honors and collective achievements across academics, arts, athletics and service.
