With a school year filled with unexpected hurdles, such as teacher displacements, pervasive wildfires and a districtwide phone ban, the Class of 2025 united to face these challenges together. Despite these obstacles, the 53 graduating seniors maintained their strong school spirit, culminating in a sentimental graduation at Mulholland Middle School on Tuesday.
“A family is more than blood and paper, though. It is also memory that binds us,” Valedictorian Satenik Ayrapetyan said during her speech. “These enumerable minutes that keep us together. We have laughed and cherished and danced the night away at prom and most importantly, we have loved. And what is family, if not to be loved?”
Although Ayrapetyan was the first valedictorian to give her speech, she was not the only one. For this graduating class, there were two valedictorians, the second being Kristin Intal. Both students achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.3, making them co-valedictorians. Ayrapetyan served as the print editor-in-chief of The Pearl Post and Intal as visual editor.
To commence the ceremony, incoming Associated Student Body (ASB) President Serena Elkins introduced the flag salute for the Pledge of Allegiance. Shortly after, Elkins performed “Star -Spangled Banner”, encouraging the audience to sing along.
Several songs were performed by members of the student body during the ceremony with a common theme of growing up and reaching the edge of a new beginning. The songs played by the future graduates and underclassmen were “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House, “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA and a Beatles medley containing the songs “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”
Following the co-valedictorian speeches, salutatorian Vanessa Morales Espinoza presented her heartfelt oration, expressing her gratitude to conclude her high school experience.
“I am incredibly grateful to have developed such familiarity with all of my fellow students, most of which I’ve known since freshman year and we have watched each other grow and mature,” said Morales, who served as The Pearl Post features editor. “As we move into the next chapter of our lives, I sincerely wish you all the best in your life long goals.”
Subsequent to Espinoza’s speech, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) alumnus and current executive producer of EyeWitness News morning show in Bakersfield, Enrie Amezcua, provided the Class of 2025 with some words of wisdom.
“We all have an obligation to the truth and that may come in many different shapes and forms, especially your own self-truth,” said Amezcua, who was on both The Pearl Post and PNN during his days at DPMHS. “There’s a lot of doors in front of you and whether or not you choose to open them is totally up to you but I sincerely advise you to open them.”
Dr. Judea Pearl addressed the current issues and rising concern regarding immigration in Los Angeles and delved into his own personal experience with immigration assuring the audience that they are not alone. Pearl emphasized the importance of diversity within DPMHS as well as the city of Los Angeles.
“One of the most memorable events that I have witnessed at your school was Daniel Pearl Music Day where students came in wearing colorful flowers each speaking its parents language…each contributing a flower to a huge bouquet…a tapestry of shared heritage,” Pearl said.
ASB President Genesis Cuellar-Figueroa received the Daniel Pearl Foundation scholarship, a remuneration of $2,500 going toward college funds.
Magnet Coordinator James Morrison gave an uplifting address on behalf of Principal Armen Petrossian, who was unable to attend the ceremony, that focused on the importance of embracing opportunities because the possibilities are limitless.
“Now it’s up to you, it’s you going forward, your song to be sung,” Morrison said. “For four years, you have now been putting one foot in front of the other and you are walking out our door, but remember that door is not closing. It is opening to something much bigger and much wider and much better and whatever you do, do not let ‘No’ be the stop of your walk.”
Photos of the graduates recieving their diplomas are available on The Pearl Post’s Flickr. For those who couldn’t attend the ceremony, DPMHS’s video department live-streamed the event and it can be found on YouTube.
