San Marcos High School students, faculty and family members celebrated the class of 2025 Thursday evening in Warkentin Stadium. 

Family and friends cheered from the stands as graduates sat on the field and marked the end of their high school journey with songs and speeches from their classmates. 

The ceremony began with a performance of the national anthem by the San Marcos Madrigals. The senior Madrigals then performed “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA. 

Andres Villa started off the senior speeches by taking the graduates through their history at San Marcos. 

“Our high school journeys began on a fateful August day in 2021, and we were riddled with stress and anxiety after the hectic pandemic, starting school with masks covering our faces. We tried to readjust to the academic and social pressures of in-person school,” Villa said. 

Villa acknowledged that while it wasn’t easy, they rebuilt their school community and soon had packed schedules with classes, dances and football games. He reminded his fellow graduates that they successfully revitalized school spirit and culture.

“Our power doesn’t come from each student individually, but from our collective strength and success,” Villa said. “As a class, we rose above adversity and emerged stronger when faced with challenges. I hope you all bring this resilience with you wherever you go.”

Graduates decorated their graduation caps to celebrate their heritage, what college they’re going to, and even their favorite superheroes.

Fatima Arias-Zarate surprised her family with her speech, after not telling them she was set to speak. She choked up sharing how she worked to get good grades to do her part for her family, especially for her mom.

“She sacrificed so much to give us a better future, and I never wanted to disappoint her,” Arias-Zarate said. 

Tatiana Levya referenced the song “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus in her speech, saying that life isn’t about reaching the peak of the mountain, but being able to keep moving into the unknown. 

“We aren’t just walking away with a diploma,” Levya said. “We’re walking away with the proof that we can handle any mountain climb. We have all had our fair share of uphill moments, downhill moments, pressure and unexpected changes, but what defined us was how we handled them.”

Associated Student Body President Kian Strenn shared that he struggled knowing what to do as ASB president and constantly wondered what past ASB presidents would do. Eventually, he learned that he didn’t need to try to be somebody else and focused on making his fellow students feel included and happy. 

“Our chapter at San Marcos is ending, but our stories are literally just beginning,” Strenn said. “This world that we’re pioneering desperately needs authenticity and heart.”

San Marcos Principal Dare Holdren, a second-generation San Marcos graduate, celebrated the class of 2025 for raising test scores, hosting more dances, and for staging protests to advocate for themselves and others.

“At a time when the pursuit of the almighty dollar often trumps human decency and our environment becomes an afterthought to money, your courage and confidence are desperately needed,” Holdren said. “Your community and country need you.”

He reminded the graduates that their family and friends will be there for them, and he had the class of 2025 stand up and wave to family in thanks. 

“This world better buckle up, because the San Marcos class of 2025 has arrived,” Holdren said.

Want to celebrate a graduate in your life? Submit your own graduation announcement to Noozhawk’s Class of 2025 showcase.