Stansbury High’s Class of 2025 is formally accepted by Tooele County board; graduates awarded more than $9.4 million in scholarships

Stansbury High School held its Class of 2025 commencement at the Maverick Center in Tooele County. Principal Wilford asked the Tooele County School District Board to accept and recognize the graduates, and School Board Chair Melissa Rich announced the board’s formal acceptance. The school reported that members of the class have been offered more than $9,400,000 in scholarships; two school spirit scholarships of $500 each were presented during the ceremony.

The acceptance is the formal recognition requested by school administration that graduates have met district and state requirements. Principal Wilford said, “They have met all the requirements set forth by the Tooele County School District and the Utah State Board of Education. Therefore, it is my sincere request on behalf of the faculty, staff, parents and students of Stansbury High School that you accept and recognize the graduating class of 2025.” Board Chair Melissa Rich responded, “By the power vested in me by the Tooele County School District Board of Education, I hereby accept and confirm that you have met all the requirements set forth.”

Student speakers at the ceremony included co-salutatorians Ellie Dangerfield and Eric O’Bray, valedictorian Bowen Thomas, and selected classmates Alexa Medina and Aidan Pearson. Ellie Dangerfield spoke about perseverance and balance between academics, athletics and arts; she said, “when you appreciate everything and expect nothing, life becomes magical.” Eric O’Bray reflected on the cumulative nature of life’s moments and the value of community. Valedictorian Bowen Thomas told classmates, “Our job is not finished,” urging graduates to treat graduation as a beginning rather than a final achievement. Alexa Medina, one of the student speakers, told the crowd, “It’s okay to not know the next step,” and Aidan Pearson urged graduates to understand their purpose and “care about someone.”

Principal Wilford also recognized school staff and student achievements. He announced the school’s employees of the year and asked graduating students who had committed to post‑graduation military service to stand for recognition. Wilford provided a summary of the high‑school experience in statistical terms during his remarks, saying, “That’s roughly 720 days, 3,600 class periods and countless assignments, quizzes and tests,” to highlight the scope of students’ time in high school.

During the ceremony two SHS spirit scholarships were presented by senior class officers Aiden Pearson and Caitlin Philpott; the announcer stated each check was for $500. The school announced that the Class of 2025 has been awarded more than $9,400,000 in scholarships overall; the transcript does not specify scholarship sources or the portion that is guaranteed versus offered.

The ceremony closed with the traditional tassel turn, a recessional by the orchestra and instructions for graduates to pick up diplomas and meet families outside the Maverick Center. The event combined ceremonial board action (formal recognition of completion of requirements) with student speeches, staff recognitions and scholarship presentations.