St. Joseph High School’s class of 2025 looked back before members took a big step forward on Thursday morning.
The school’s 57th commencement was held on the school’s football field under a persistent June gloom with approximately 125 graduates making up the class of 2025.
“As Oprah Winfrey once said, ‘You can’t move forward without saying goodbye to the past,’” said Robert Kelman, valedictorian and a member of the school’s first CIF-winning tennis team.
“As the class of 2025 prepares to move forward, it’s only right that we say one last goodbye to the many experiences and memories that shaped us — not to forget them, but to carry them with us.”
He reflected on the seniors’ number of lasts experienced recently, including a final fire drill and last homily during a school Mass while noting multiple firsts awaiting them as they leave high school.
“Today marks a new beginning of firsts,” he said, as some will move into college dorms, others will attend basic training to begin their military service, and still others will enter the workforce.
St. Joseph High School graduates walk arm in arm during Thursday morning’s commencement ceremony. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School valedictorian Robert Kelman sports his CIF tennis championship hat during his commencement speech Thursday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School graduate Annalyse Chavez speaks during Thursday morning’s commencement. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School graduate Joseph Souza provides a musical interlude during the commencement ceremony Thursday morning in Orcutt. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School graduate Fred Muñoz removed his cap and sunglasses to deliver the welcome address during commencement Thursday morning as Principal Erinn Dougherty listens. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School Principal Erinn Dougherty poses with a class of 2025 graduate during the ceremony Thursday. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
St. Joseph High School Principal Erinn Dougherty poses with a class of 2025 graduate during the ceremony Thursday. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
With Joseph Souza as the fifth and final sibling to graduate from St. Joseph High School, the Rev. Ed Jalbert presents the Family Legacy Award to the Souza family. The five siblings graduated between 2014 and 2025.
“Do not be afraid of the future, as extraordinary journeys start with ordinary steps into the unknown,” Kelman said, adding that in a decade they won’t remember grades or sports scores, but will recall the impact they had others and that others had on them.
He urged his fellow graduates to proceed with kindness, humility, faith and purpose while pursuing growth, not perfection.
“Go confidently, class of 2025, not because the future’s predictable, but because you have been prepared by your family and educators at St. Joseph High School,” Kelman said. “Go confidently, class of 2025, not because you know exactly who you’ll become, but because you’ll finally have the freedom to find out.”
Graduate Fred Muñoz said he ended up at the Catholic school campus because of sports, but he discovered something more.
“As I arrived at St. Joe’s, I found something more than just sports. I found a family and bonds that will remain forever,” Muñoz said.
Graduate Annalyse Chavez recalled her fellow graduates arriving on campus as nervous freshmen and becoming the role models for younger students.
“The St. Joseph family is something you hear about all the time, but it isn’t until you’ve experienced it that you know how true it really is,” Chavez said.
The Souza family received the school’s Legacy Award as their fifth and final child leaves St. Joseph’s, with the first graduating in 2014.
Later, Joseph Souza from the class of 2025 performed an a cappella version of “Stand by Me.”
Want to celebrate a graduate in your life? Submit your own graduation announcement to Noozhawk’s Class of 2025 showcase.