001[Music] You know, really when you want it to be fast. Feel like that's as tall as it goes. And then take it and put it under. You can take it out of the case. You don't have to have it in the case. [Music] Doesn't like one of those. [Music] Now I got to Well, that's not good. You hold it. Okay. I'm going to slide it back in [Music] there. Is it right? Yep. [Music] There we go. All righty. I might move it back or two. That look good. There. Did that get all of them? move back. I'll hold this if you want to hold the tripod. [Music] This is all the [Music] way. All my [Music] ladies all my ass. Ladies, your [Music] back to listen. Just because you're staying over doesn't mean that you
002forgive me. We both know what you done. What you done? Don't love anyone. Anyone anyone but yourself. When I think I found a strength to go and push you away. I pull you up again. I'm search for the pain. [Music] Everybody here. [Music] 3. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] N. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] My love. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Thank you. [Music] [Applause] [Music] again. [Music] You got much more though. [Music] [Applause] also [Music] [Applause] [Music] Thank you very much. [Music] I
003know this is [Music] years. Hallelujah. Graduates, you may be [Applause] seated. Hello, I am Lisa Gin. I am the proud principal of Apache Junction High School. I would like to introduce our special guests and dignitaries on the stage tonight. Board President Dena Kimell, board vice president Cammy Garcia, board members Sandra Lean and Judy Williamson, Superintendent Robert Papalardo, Director of Educational Services Mera Verna, director of career and technical education Jeff Cox, special guest, former mayor and state representative Doug Coleman, assistant principal Ca Seymour, assistant principal Melinda Oar. Woo, these are a lot of names, right? a lot of special people and Mrs. Kelly Grimmel and Lieutenant Cindy. Lieutenant Cindy. All right. Now, please stand for the presentation of colors and the national anthem. [Music] left, right, right, left. Go to march. Left, left, left, right. Guard
004presents. [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Where the [Music] [Applause] You may be seated. Good evening, fellow graduates, staff, families, and friends. My name is Nvea Smith, and I've had the honor of serving as your student body president this year. And I'd like to thank all of you for being here and taking the time to celebrate this special moment with us. Before I begin, I would like to thank my mom for raising me with strength, love, and support. To my grandma, thank you for caring, comfort, and joy. Thank you to my partner, Isaiah, for my peace and always helping me through everything. Thank you to my best friend, Maya, for always showing up and pushing me to grow. Thank you, Mr. McKe, for
005making student council my favorite class. Lastly, I would like to thank all of my teachers, friends, family members, and any staff for all that you've done. Now, as this moment unfolds before us, I would like to congratulate the class of 2025 on making it here today. Growing up with all of you has been one of the greatest joys of my life by giving me so many lessons and blessings that I can now carry on with me forever. We've grown from coloring outside the lines to writing essays at midnight. We've grown from learning how to read to reading between the lines of life. We've grown from hiding behind our parents on the first day of school to standing proudly on this stage here today. We've grown from asking for help tying our shoes to helping each
006other through heartbreak, heartbreak, stress, and everything in between, which helped make today so special as it is a stepping stone to the many achievements we will continue to make from here on. I would like to share a quote from the words of the song Vienna by Billy Joel. Slow down. You're doing fine. You can't be everything you want to be before your time. This is a reminder that we don't have to have it all figured out and it is okay to take the time to decide what we want in life. Growing up, I'm sure we all dealt with some sort of pressure of getting life completely figured out. I've always dealt with this feeling and at times it felt as it was hard to enjoy the moment because I was so focused on the future.
007So, my advice to my class is to slow down and appreciate the moment because you don't know what you got until it's gone. Speaking of that, as we stand here today in our caps and gowns, I hope we all take a second to truly feel this moment. Not just for what it means academically, but for what it represents in the rest of the time and life we have to spend. May God bless you all with prosperity, a clear sense of purpose, peace in your hearts, and the passion to chase your dreams from this day forward. As we close this chapter in our book, we say goodbye to countless memories, the excitement of Friday night games under the lights, the patience of waiting and long lunchlines, the laughter shared during class, the preparation for school dances,
008and the familiar question always asked, "Do you have any snacks?" In the infamous words of Ferris Beller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you can miss it." So take a moment to hold on to these memories because today isn't the end. It's the beginning of a new chapter. The future holds countless opportunities and challenges that will shape us into who we're meant to be. So take everything you've learned during these high school years and let it prepare you for what's to come. We spent years wishing for this day to arrive. And now that it's here, part of me wishes we had one more day. Thank you all for the unforgettable moments, the inside jokes, and the things we'll pretend never happened. Congratulations, class of 2025. Let's
009enjoy this unforgettable evening together. Please welcome the Apache Junction High School band playing Disney Blockbusters. [Music] Good job. [Music] Yeah. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] I [Music] don't want to be You are [Music] happy. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Good job, dude. [Music] Sophia. Good evening everyone. I'm Sophia Smith. I want to start by saying this isn't really my comfort zone. If you told me in ninth grade that I'd be standing here giving a speech to everyone, I probably would have smiled politely and then silently panicked for the next few years. But here we are. Before I say anything else, I want to thank the people who helped
010get us here. To the families and friends, thank you for your support, patience, and encouragement even when we were stressed, tired, or just not fun to be around. To my own parents and my sister, thank you for always having my back. To the drama club and performing arts department, thank you for your hours of rehearsal, filling our school with creativity and life. To the guard team, thank you for treating me like royalty and making high school genuinely unforgettable. And of course, thanks to the teachers who did their best to prepare us, even when we weren't always paying attention. Four years ago, we walked in here as freshmen, tiny, confused, and terrified of the seniors who look like full grown adults. Today we graduate. We throw our hats in the air, take way too many photos,
011and pretend we're not panicking about the future. Some of us know exactly what comes next. Some of us are still figuring it out. And that's okay. There's a lot of pressure to have a plan, but not knowing isn't something to be afraid of. It means we still have room to explore, to try new things, and to grow into the people we're becoming. The future isn't some rigid path waiting to be found. It's something we get to create for ourselves. We've already made it through so much together. A global pandemic, finals, awkward presentations, and probably at least one existential crisis. We've learned how to adapt, how to push through, and how to support each other. Basically, we can handle anything. So, even if you don't have a 5-year plan or a perfect vision of what comes
012next, that's okay. What matters is that we move forward one step at a time. And as we do, we carry with us the lessons and legacy of those who came before us. In that spirit, I'll end with the words of someone who walked this stage not too long ago. Someone who reminded us to enjoy every moment. As Riley Anderson once said, "Legends never die." Congratulations, class of 2025. We did it. [Music] Please welcome Superintendent Dr. Pabalardo to the stage to share a message. Thank you very much. Welcome graduates of 2025. Um before we get started, I want to start our tradition of where students who are have perfect attendance or great attendance earn money. So, I'm gonna due to the de generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. Gile, Kelly, would you come up and help
013me with this award? Our first winner tonight is Evan Burwell, fourth grader at Peralta Trail Elementary for perfect attendance. Evan, if you're here, could you come up to the stage, please? Here he comes. Our Second winner tonight is a high school student in the 11th grade at Apache Junction High School who will receive $500 for being here more than 90% of the time. Jacob Payne, would you please come to the [Applause] stage? Congratulations. Look out there. They're going to take your picture. Awesome. Congratulations. [Applause] Our third and final winner tonight is a senior at Apaching Junction High School for being in attendance more than 90% of the time. Christopher James will receive [Music] $1,000. Congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations. Face the camera. There you go. Right [Applause] [Music] here. Good evening, graduates, families, friends, faculty, and staff,
014and anyone who might still be trying to get through the line to get in. Tonight is a celebration, a milestone, a memory in the making. But most of all, it's for you, class of 2025. Take it in. You did it. You made it through the highs and lows, the unexpected turns, the late night cramming, the early morning alarm clock, and everything in between. You've shown determination, heart, and a whole lot of character. Some of you began high schools wearing masks. We all remember that. Unsure of what the future would look like. And yet here you are standing at the finish line of high school. Not just surviving these four years, but defining them. You led us with empathy, res resilience, and spirit. You've shown what it means to be a great prospector. To the families
015here tonight, thank you. You've been to the steady force behind each of these students, even when they didn't always say say it out loud. and to the teachers and staff and mentors. You've invested your time, your heart, your belief into this class. Your impact is everywhere on this field. Graduates, the piece of paper that you will receive tonight, that's more than a diploma. It's proof of your determination and your land launchpad for whatever comes next. Whether that be college, whether that be career, whether that be time in one of the services or something you create from scratch. At a Pike Junction Union High School District, we like to say that we're a small district with a big heart. And you, class of 2025, are what we mean when we send we say to people, we
016have endless possibilities. You've taken on every challenge and turned it into your own moment. And before you go charting into your bright future, I leave you with a bit of wisdom from Ry Magazolei, one half of the iconic car talk duo. You will never have more in energy or enthusiasm, hair, or brain cells than you have today. That's fact. So use them well. Chase what excites you. Build something meaningful. Laugh often. And don't wait for the perfect moment to go after what matters for you. Create it. Your journey from prospector to trailblazer begins tonight. Wherever you go, remember this. You come from a place that believed in you, that saw your potential, and that cheered you on all the way to this moment. That never goes away. You will always have a home here in
017Apache Junction. Congratulations, class of 2025. Be bold, be kind, be you. The future is waiting for you and it's wide open. [Applause] And now we have some special music from the jazz band. [Music] Let's go. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Let's go. [Music] Hello, I'm Nathaniel Pedock and I want to welcome our student body, staff, faculty members, and family members for joining us for the graduation of the student body of 2025. I would like to thank my parents for all the support they've given me and the compassion they have shown for me. Finally, I would like to thank all the friends I've made over time for making my high school years truly memorable
018and worthwhile. When I was writing the speech, I found myself puzzled with where I wanted to take it. Should I make it inspirational and motivating, introspective and bittersweet, maybe corny and full of jokes like some of the ones you might have seen online? You only get so many chances to speak in front of a crowd. So hold on and stay with me and take from my words what you will. To every student graduating this year, I want you to look back on what you have become. Recognize the person that you look at in the mirror is the person you will be living with for the rest of your life. I sometimes find it hard to really accept that. Nevertheless, I will keep striving for more. I would say that while you are still young, learn
019to make do with what you have and take risks when you can. It is better to say that you have tried than to say that you never cared to. Be okay with failing a couple of times. You have plenty of time for the wounds of your mistakes to buffer out. We have all been through so much together these last four years. I wish that the memories we make along the way should be will be cherished. I wish everyone graduating here the best and I hope that whatever dreams or ambitions you might have find their way into your present. We set forth on the brink of a new horizon. We will set the course for what is to come. I thank you all once again for giving me this privilege. So take care. Doug Coleman is
020a distinguished former age teacher and cross country coach. He was also the mayor of Apache Junction and a former state representative. Throughout his political career, Coleman has been a passionate advocate for his community and the state of Arizona. As mayor of Apache Junction, he focused on fostering economic growth, enhancing public safety, and improving residents overall quality of life. His time as state representative further showcased his dedication to public service. where he worked on various issues ranging from local governance to state level policy reforms. Coleman's leadership was marked by his pragmatic approach to problem solving and his deep commitment to positively impacting his hometown and the whole state. His legacy of service continues to respire inspire those who have worked alongside him and a community he worked tirelessly to serve. Please welcome Doug Coleman. Thank you.
021[Applause] My speech is going to be shorter than the introduction was, but members of the school board, Dr. Papalardo, Principal Guin, faculty, staff, students, and especially the graduating class of 2025. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to be able to share this moment with all of you. I have been connected with Apache Junction High School for a long, long time as a member of the faculty, advisor to two student organizations, the FBLA club, which stood for Future Business Leaders of America, and the infamous Prospector Yo-Yo Club. That's right, in case you missed it, we had a yo-yo club. I served as the girls JV basketball coach for several years as well as the boys and girls cross country coach for over a decade. And even though I didn't graduate from Apache Junction
022High School, I consider myself to be a diehard price prospector. If I get a paper cut, I bleed black and gold. I'd like to share a little story with you. I walked into Little Caesars up on the trail to order a pizza and there was this guy sitting by the door. Um, pretty old guy, long gray hair, big bushy gray beard. And uh, as I'm looking at the menu, he looks at me and he goes, "Mr. Coleman." And I I I said, "Did I teach you?" And he said, "Yes, you did. typing 1984. Um, we began to talk about the school and the typing class which was on manual typewriters, I might add. Uh, and I asked him what he remembered about the class, and he said the yo-yo tricks and how I talked about
023skill development and how you had to practice a skill like yo-yoing and typing, doing it the same way every time until it became reflexive where you don't have to think about it in order to be able to do it. I believe that doing good things in life needs to become reflexive where you do them without even thinking about it. Just then a young lady who had been helping to make the pizzas in the back came out uh to the cash register and she said, "Mr. Coleman, what can I get you?" And the old guy looked at her and he looked at me and he said, "Do you know her?" And I said, 'Yeah, I had her in my law class last year. And he said, 'Th that's my granddaughter. So I don't know about mom
024and dad, but I do know that I taught grandpa and granddaughter. So know now here is my graduation message and free advice to you. Take it or leave it, but know that I share this with you in the hopes that you will be able to live a long, happy, and successful life. And I might note that some of what I'm about to say will make more sense to you in the future as you get older. To begin with, listen to more music and less podcasts. Go to the gym less. Take more walks or run outside. Watch more comedy and less drama. Cancel unnecessary meetings. Pause your to-do list. Make both a do and a do not list and stick to it. Travel internationally. Experience other cultures. Don't force. Don't force meditation. Find a river or
025fish aquarium and stare at it for a while. Unfollow half the people you follow on social media. The negative ones. You know who I'm talking about. Splurge on others. Spend less on yourself. Buy a cheap musical instrument on Amazon and learn to play it. Watch less TV. Take an online course. Many are offered free of charge. Mute your group chats. Engage with them only when you feel like it. Do less. Boredom is good. Find ways to be more bored. Get your news from multiple sources. Trust your instincts instincts. When news stories conflict, you should not listen to 99% of the people talking on TV. They are the wrong people to listen to. Listen to old people. They have been there and done that. Read more about nature and books of fiction. Drink more water and
026less soda. Eat until you are full but not stuffed. It's okay to leave food on your plate or ask for a to-go box. As Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker, who is also known as Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility." So never mention or talk about your civil rights without mentioning your civil responsibilities. And last but not least, be kind to everyone. The world has enough bullies. Don't be one of them. Congratulations to the class of 2025. You have one life to live, so make it a great one. Prospectors. [Applause] [Music] I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. and we help them in return. Well, I don't
027know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you like a pulled from orbit as it passes the sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew [Music] you, I have been changed for good. [Music] It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime. So let me say before we part so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me. You'll be with me. like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rein mine by being my friend. Like a ship blown from it. by a wind off the sea like a sea dropped
028by a sky in a distant wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? Because I knew you. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good. And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blamed me for. But then I guess we know there's blame to share. And none of it seems to matter anymore. Like a like a sh as it passes human like a stream that makes me by your [Music] burden. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better. Because I knew you. I have been [Music] changed for good. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Thank you choir. That was beautiful. One of the most memorable moments I've had in a graduation. So, thank you.
029All right, graduates. Are you ready? You will now be called to the stage to receive your diploma, one role at a time. Audience, please hold your applause until the end to respect all graduates. Teachers Tim McKe and Candace Matlo will be reading names. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Naa Smith. [Applause] Jaden [Applause] Alana Sophia Ona Sto Smith, sorry. [Music] Isabelle Ana Moreno, [Music] Nathaniel Bourne, Pitt, [Applause] [Music] Audrey Anderson, [Applause] [Music] Dakota Ray Wonour, Jaden Andra, Colton Acavdo, [Applause] Natalie Antonio Alonszo, Javier Oavdo, Boyce, [Applause] Frank Atiri, [Applause] [Music] Omar Adam, Adrien Aila, [Applause] [Music] Alexia Daniela Augustine, [Applause] Will Freda Benna, [Music] Nancy Bayas, OS [Music] Braden Bogart [Applause] Anthony Barios Compos [Music] Ian Bowie [Applause] Naa Ray Hortum [Music] Morgan Brosman, [Applause] Jonah Bates, Jonah, Hayden Brown, [Applause] Kase Baxter, [Applause] Trinity Bush, [Music]
030Xavier Benvdas, [Applause] Anthony Caravana, Dylan James Blackwood, Francisco Castillo, [Music] Eden Bloodgood Thomas, Yes. [Music] Eduardo Cervantes Rosas Emor Chavez, [Applause] Jesus Des Santiago, [Music] Eileen Chavez, Gomez, Aiden Deleon, [Applause] Cody Clark, Caesar Diaz, [Applause] [Music] Natalie Stella Klitso, [Applause] Yeana Diaz Marquez, [Applause] Hayden Compton, [Applause] Alexander Deella, Toby Corbett, Bernardo Diego, Emily Elise Cortez, Hunter Dylan, John Felix, Garcia, Ia de Guzman, Valerie Dominguez, [Applause] Alistar Darte, [Applause] [Music] Isel Gallardo, Vance Ike. Hose up, John. Hose up. Hell yeah. Yadier Galvin Cruz, Payton Alzando, Shayen Garnet, the last time, Anthony Esparza, Brooklyn Gas, [Applause] [Music] Carlo Evangelista, Eileen Castellon, Ariana Rebecca, Felix, Briana Kiss, Roselina Felix Lopez, Jacob Psberry, [Music] Gary Friedrich, [Applause] [Music] Rake Gomez, Raymondo Gonzalez, Justin Vicente Fernandez Lopez, Alexia and Anthony Gonzalez, [Applause] Emma Holloway, [Applause] Julianne Goodyear, [Music] [Applause] Steven
031Hooton, [Applause] Madison Gray, Ethan Howard, Savannah Nicole Gutierrez, [Music] [Applause] Dylan Hunaker, EMTT Rowan Harvey, Christopher James, [Music] Katum Heon, Kaden Lewis Jones, Jessica Jurn's 40, Leela Jones, Liam Kelly, Maria Antonia Reyes Warz Reyes, Benjamin Kidd, [Music] Violet Leaf, Caitlyn Lee, Croft, Desiree Lee, Devin Lechance, [Applause] Dominic Winslow Lemons, [Applause] [Music] Joselyn Lef France, Andrew Lton, [Music] Brandon Lake [Applause] Juan Davidid Lopez Calderon Steven Lever [Applause] Alejandra Lopez Paroda [Applause] Isaiah Nhan [Music] No hands. Francisco Lopez Vera. Ava Martin, [Applause] Abigail Lewig, Maline Martin, [Applause] Charlotte Miller, Aaliyah Martinez, [Applause] Jaden Mills, [Applause] Riley Anne McCormick, Jade Mitchell, Wright, Aiden Meade, Jade Eden Montalvo, [Applause] Fernando Menddees Rodriguez, [Music] Geraldo Martanas, Galindo. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Admiris Mendoza. Thank you, Alejandro Montanzo. Ian Moly, [Applause] [Music] Isabella Yukari, Mononttoya, [Applause] Alis Murphy, [Applause] Alejandro
032Morales Perez, [Music] Lesie Nava, Viscar, Jacquellyn Norberg Martin, [Applause] Landon Nielsen, Manny O'Brien, Solomon Nesbbit, [Music] Cash Okconor, Ah, Nicholls, [Music] Johan Oats, [Applause] Himea Nicola, Haley Pennington, Gideon [Applause] Neman, Ashley Elena Perez Rodriguez, Gage MO, [Applause] Devin Phillips, [Music] Oscar Kintana, Isabella Pedra, Bana Kintara, [Applause] Mariah Sierra Christina Rodriguez, [Applause] Jose Ramirez, De Luna, Joelle Rosales, Garcia, Nicholas Ramirez, Perez, Brett Ree, [Applause] Luis Rattana [Applause] Jesse Sanchez [Applause] Jose Reyes Jr. Hell yeah. Jasmine Amethyst Seir, [Applause] Anna Robisho, Austin Sherman, [Music] [Applause] Emily Rodriguez, Kelsey Jane Shipman, Gabriel Smith, [Applause] Aaron Marie Smiley, Sophia Sto, [Music] Sarah Thompson, Gerardo Sto Dominguez, Bryant TJ, Melanie Spafford, [Applause] Veronica Tolentino Riley Spitzer Gavin Toro, [Music] Jaden Stout, Raul Torres, [Applause] [Music] Isaiah Sabowski, Aaron Torres, [Applause] Hannah Denise Tiaro, Jeremiah Travis, Donnie, Triana, [Music] Adriel, Trey,
033Diego Venuela, Nikolai Ward, [Applause] Devin Vargas, Colin Warner, [Applause] Elizabeth Vargas, Hernandez, Connor Wes, [Applause] David Vega, [Music] [Applause] Ryder Wolf, Samir Veloves, Mendoza, Richard Wartman, Daisy Vivar, [Applause] Sean Wright, [Music] Jaden Wallace, Austin Young, [Music] Bailey Sella, [Applause] Love the pictures anymore. Okay. Come on up. You did that. You did [Music] [Applause] [Music] that. families, friends, and staff. I'm Dakota Wongor, and I'm incredibly honored to be standing here tonight as your senior class president. Okay, I'll admit I'm pretty nervous right now, so bear with me. This whole speech thing is giving me flashbacks to fifth grade when I read my DARE essay in front of the entire class. So, let's just say public speaking has never been my thing. But tonight isn't about speeches or nerves. It's about us celebrating one of the biggest
034milestones of our lives. And looking back on the past 13 years, I think we can all agree the early mornings and late nights were all worth it, even if it was just for a piece of paper. Before I continue, I want to thank some important pe important people. To my mom and dad, thank you. Not just for life, but for making everything possible for me. To my family and friends, especially Maddie and Naa, your support has meant the world to me, and I definitely wouldn't have survived this year without you. I would also like to thank Aiden and his family for providing me a second home while welcoming me with open arms and tons of love. And lastly, I want to thank Coach McKe because he's the kind of teacher I think every student deserves
035to have, but because of his quick impact on not only my life, but other students as well. And he is easily the best teacher I've ever had. I've been thinking a lot about the past lately. Friday night football games, rushing to practice after school, or getting Dutch Bros before class starts. It's all those little routines and moments that came together to make senior year unforgettable. And now, even though we're excited to finally be done, it's hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia for the days that felt so ordinary at the time, but now means so much. But here we are. And since we started senior year, the same question has presented itself to all of us. What are you going to do next? It's a fair question. Some of us already know. Some of
036us are still figuring it out. And that's completely okay because I think there's another question that matters just as much, if not more. And that's who are you going to be? Will you be the kind of person who shows up for others not for recognition, but because you care? Someone who considers how their words affect other people? Or will you be that person that chooses to help people just because? The world doesn't always reward kindness right away, but it needs it more than ever. Everyone is going through something, even if they never say it out loud. And while we can't control everything that happens next, we can decide to be the kind of person who brings light into someone else's day. That choice is something we can choose to do starting now. So, as we
037step into the next chapter of our lives, whether you have things figured out or not, focus on who you're becoming. Be curious, be kind, work hard, and laugh often. Because, yeah, we all want to be rich, but not just with money, but with joys, memories, and love. Congratulations, class of 2025. We finally made it. I can't wait to see what we do, but more importantly, who we become. Thank you. [Applause] [Music] class of 2025. as the principal of Apache Junction High School and by the virtue of authority vested in me by the state of Arizona and on the recommendation of the Apache Junction High School faculty, I lease again hereby certify that you have met the minimum requirements of 22 credit hours for graduation as set forth by the Arizona State Board of Education and
038our governing board. The Arizona State Board establishes these requirements for graduation from high school. The minimum course of study and competency requirements are outlined in get ready chap title 7 chapter 2 of the admin administrative code Arizona administrative code course of study R7-2-302. I hereby confer upon each of you your high school diploma and welcome you to the company of scholars with all of its rights, honors, privileges, and obligations. Graduates, please rise. Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, honored guests, I present to you the class of 2025 Apache Junction High School graduates. You may now move your tassel from right to left. [Applause] In just one moment, our prospectors are going to head to the prospector circle one last time. As the prospectors get into place, I would like to thank our school board and
039honored guests for being with us this evening. Thank you to the teachers for the impact in the lives of the students. Last but not least, thank you to Larry Hill and the entire maintenance crew who make this evening possible, as well as Joe Bell and his crew from Independent Events for working our fabulous sound this evening. Graduates, after you go to the circle and throw your caps, do not forget to get your diplomas back under the goalpost. And graduates, you'll meet your family and friends outside of the stadium, not here on the Lana. The lights will go out quickly. All right, graduates. Let's now head out to Prospector Circle one last time. [Music] Yes, please. I thought they were [Music] around here. [Music] Oct prospector, you're in place for [Music] All All right, here we
040go. Prospectors. AJHS Prospectors, it show your cat. [Applause] [Music] Forever. Thank you.