001Good evening and welcome to MCAT High School graduation ceremony for the class of 2025. Please stand and join me for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you. Good evening and welcome to the MCAT High School graduation. We are honored to have the support of our community, parents, and families who have shown up tonight to support our hardworking graduates. Tonight's graduates are wearing colored sashes and honor cords to designate their academic achievements. Graduates from MCAT High School are wearing gold sashes. MCAT MCAT plus graduates are wearing green and Miranda distance learning graduates are wearing
002purple. Additionally, students who were on the principal's list are wearing a white honor cord. Principal's list is an academic accomplishment of all A's and B's on any quarterly report card during their time at MCAT. I would like to congratulate all of our students on their honors tonight. At this time, I would like to welcome many of our distinguished guests in attendance, beginning with the Morirana Unified School District Governing Board. Mr. Hunter Holt, President, Miss Katherine Micronis, Vice President, Mr. Tom Carlson, member, Mr. Roy Alexander, member, and Miss Kathy Raymond, member. Also in attendance tonight are members of our district level administrative team, Dr. Dan Strereer, superintendent. Kristen Rei, assistant superintendent. Mark Golagowski, assistant superintendent. Denise Linselada, assistant superintendent. Thomas Bogart, chief financial officer. Dan Conoutorro, retiring chief financial officer. and Joshua Bane, executive director of
003state and federal [Applause] programs. There are a lot of people who are a part of our students success at MCAT. Importantly are our teachers and staff who work alongside our students each day. I have the privilege of seeing their efforts to help students learn, feel confident, and set goals. Collectively, they are a committed, patient, and enthusiastic group of people. I often reflect on how truly blessed I am to work with this talented group of educators. So, please j join me in thanking the entire team at MCAT, including Morirana Distance Learning and ACE. Our MCAT team is proud to provide a quality education for this group of students and for the Morirana community. We are honored that our students have allowed us to be part of their journeys. I would also like to take a moment
004to thank the parents and families who supported these graduates. We know that you are an important part of their support network, which is why they sit with you tonight. You have provided encouragement and motivation to these young people along the way. Graduates, please take a minute to thank your families for all they've done to help you out. [Applause] So now on behalf of the MCAT staff, Mr. Oliver Bowen will say a few words of congratulations to the class of 2025. Mr. Bowen is a valued teammate at MCAT and assists our students as one of our social studies teachers. Mr. Bowen is an acknowledged leader on our campus and always goes the extra mile for our students and staff. He is a thoughtful, caring, and trusted member of our team. Most importantly though, he brings an
005energy and an enthusiasm to learning and is highly committed to helping students achieve high levels of personal and academic success. Here's Mr. Bowen. Okay. Hi. Well, thank you. Uh, you have a speech that's I wrote here the other day, but I don't think I'm going to read that one. So, get rid of that one. But you know what though? If you know me, I gota I gotta actually read it because I'll get lost if I don't. You guys know me. Uh, good evening. Hi, everybody. Um, it's always uh it's always an honor to speak on behalf of the staff. It's it's um but it's kind of a daunting one, too, to put to try to put a whole year into words um and summarize how we feel about you graduates. So, it's a challenge and
006um you know, it's kind of tricky, too, because every year I feel like I have to change what I said last year or I just say the same thing. Um so, this last week I kind of persisted and I sat down at my Chromebook and I tried to come up with some ideas and three words popped into my head. Challenge, change, and persistence. And so, uh, you know, if you guys think about it, we started this year with some changes to our schedule, and that was going to challenge you. That was going to challenge maybe your graduation plans. It was going to, uh, make it where you were going to have to persist, and maybe some of you were going to have to take extra classes, test outs. Um, and you know what's really impressive
007is you guys rose to the challenge. You persisted. A lot of you kept coming to MCAT every day. You did test outs. Maybe you took extra classes on MDL. But I think what we're most impressed by is how you guys rose to the challenge. You you overcame the change in your life and you persisted to reach this point in graduation. And in truth, we shouldn't be surprised because when I think about it, you you may have found your way to MCAT or MDL or MCAT plus because of some kind of challenge or change. And so we shouldn't be surprised that you're sitting here today because you've met the challenge and change all along to get here. I think that's one of the things we love most about being the staff at MCAT is we get
008to see the best changes in you students. We get to see you grow. We get to see you overcome challenge. We get to see you persist and become the people you are. And it's it's something to definitely celebrate. So, congratulations and enjoy your [Applause] night. Tonight, we celebrate an amazing group, the graduating class of 2025. Sitting in this space tonight are young people pursuing their dreams in every area that you might imagine. Students who have completed career and teched certifications for future careers in areas such as dental assisting, robotics, heavy machinery, welding or autos programs, just to name a few. There are students who have been awarded scholarships and internships to continue their education and training beyond high school and others who are enlisting in the military. Our students interests are diverse with 80% of
009our graduating class continuing on to formal training programs or college after graduation. They are committed to being lifelong learners and we are proud of them for pursuing their goals wherever that takes them. The class of 2025 is a group of talented and amazing individuals. The graduates tonight remind us what it means to persevere, learn new things, and thrive even when life is difficult. During challenging times, sometimes you have to look a little bit harder for the good, but it's still there. The class of 2025 is a reminder to all of us that challenges won't last forever and good times are still ahead. I want to encourage this graduating class to keep moving forward. Just like our school mascot, the cheetah, there are many ways that we can learn from cheetahs and apply their instincts to
010our own lives. Cheetahs set goals and pursue them with intensity and speed. Cheetahs are the only non-domemesticated cat that purr, which indicates its kindness and connection with other people. Cheetahs also tend to lay around in trees and sleep when nothing interests them. But we're not going to focus on that tonight. Overall, cheetahs are one of the most awinspiring land animals around when they display their strength, their speed, and their focus. At MCAT, the three A's, academics, attendance, and attitude, have helped you keep a sharp focus on your goals. I hope that you will remember the power of having a positive attitude, how it can help you achieve the impossible, and how a belief in yourself is something that no one can take away. I hope you will go out into the world with that same
011determination and belief that you will accomplish great things, just like the cheetahs that you are. A blink of an eye ago, I was sitting where you sat, wondering what the future held for me. Who knew it would bring me here, retiring after 25 years in the Morirana district. As an educator, the blessings I've received in this role are too many to count. Families, I want to thank you for sharing your children with me. The class of 2025 will hold a special place in my heart because it's my last graduating class. I guess I'm graduating, too. So, while I don't know where each of our paths will take us, I do want to say graduates, you're in for exciting time. Enjoy every minute of it. As we prepare to present your diplomas and recognize your accomplishments
012this evening, go out into the world, be focused, be intense, and more importantly, believe in yourselves. Congratulations, my little cheetahs. I wish you every success in the world. [Applause] So, now that I've told you about our amazing graduating class, it's time to hear from some of them yourselves. An important tradition in our ceremony is to encourage any student that wishes to give a graduation speech the opportunity to do so. We have some brave students tonight that have volunteered for this honor. Our student speakers are Brianna Brock, Trevor Condit, Sabrina Garcia, Savannah Kelly, John Lewis, Eileen Morales Aris Mendes, and Aubriana Swatman. We'll begin with Brianna Brock. [Applause] It's right here. Hello, beautiful graduates and all of you proud parents. We stand here today as a celebration of all the hard work, dedication, and the support
013that brought us all here to this very moment. While we all sit here in our caps and gowns, we feel this sense of disbelief that this chapter is really coming to an end. But as most books, when one chapter ends, another one begins. Graduation is not a finish line. It's a starting block. From being little freshman learning the halls and dreaming of school to be over, it's a little surreal to be standing here today knowing I'll never be that freshman or that sophomore or junior again. And as of today, I will never be a senior in high school again. So, let us embrace the future with courage, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Let us never stop growing, learning, and striving to become the best versions of ourselves. Congratulations,
014class of 2025. The world awaits us. Our next speaker is Trevor Condit. [Applause] You're all ready. First off, I just want to thank to thank all of my teachers that never gave up on me. I want to thank my parents and my grandma for always believing in me. It's all right, man. You got [Applause] this. Even though she is no longer here, I promised her before she passed away that I would graduate. [Applause] It has been a rough ride between losing my grandma and my daughter. I surely thought that I wasn't going to graduate because I went from being a super senior times two to graduating in time, defying all odds against me. And I pulled through. I did it. Not just for me, but for all the people I promised. Before I leave here,
015I have a quote that I want to share with everyone. And it goes as such. I do not and will not fear tomorrow because I feel as though today's been enough. And that quote hits close to home be for me because of an accident I had that made me take time away from school and just life in general. After this accident, it made me appreciate my life because I was close to losing it. Basically what this quote means is don't be afraid tomorrow because you made it through today and you are still here. Congratulations to the class of [Applause] 2025. Our next speaker is Sabrina Garcia. [Applause] You look great. Um, hi, I'm Sabrina. Um, ever since I was little, I have never liked presenting in class because I didn't like all my classmates looking
016at me while I spoke. But here I am giving a speech in front of not only all my teachers and classmates, but also in front of their families. I am very honored and grateful to have this opportunity to give this speech. It won't mean much for for most, but it means a lot to me. It shows how far I've come in life. Growing up, I came from a rough background, but my biological dad always tried his best to be there for me, keep me safe, and provide for me. Now, as for my biological mom, she just kind of existed in my life. She would sometimes try, but she wasn't the best mom. I was eventually taken out of that situation and got adopted by a great family with a great dad who works hard to
017to provide for me to have the better things in life and a great mom who makes me feel better when I'm sad and listens to all my girl drama. They treat me like their own. And I have the best sister-in-law who treats me like we have always been sisters and the best older brother for always hanging out with me and teaching me new things. Now, moving on from that, while I won't go into detail about my early childhood, it did make me struggle a lot with religion and believing in myself to be successful. For the most part, I struggled with thinking God didn't love me or that God didn't think of me as his child because I was always told that God protects all his children and that I won't be as successful as the
018other kids in my classes, that I won't do good for myself. I stopped thinking this way around the middle of my freshman year when two of the most important teachers I have ever had believed in me and helped me start to believe in myself. It helped me start believing in God again, I saw it as he sent people into my life when I needed it most. Although most people don't like Mountain View, whether they went there or not, I do because I met some of the most important people in my life there. Even though I have made amazing new friends, some of which are walking along with me tonight, and even though I don't go there anymore, everyone I met and made friends with there will always have my support and will have my support
019as they walk the stage tomorrow. I believe we will all do amazing things for ourselves in the future mentally, spiritually, and successfully in the way we hoped we would when we were little. Though my time here at MCAT was short, I enjoyed it. all the memories I made, the friends I made, and the opportunity given to me to attend this school. I am very proud of who I have become today and hope to improve and better myself more in the future. Thank you for listening to my speech. This took a lot for me to say in front of so many people, and I am very glad I got to share part of my story with everyone here tonight. And I'd like to thank Miss Green for giving me the opportunity to give this speech. I
020wish all of us luck and hope no one trips walking tonight. Our next speaker is Savannah Kelly. [Applause] [Music] Great. My voice is horrible. Excuse my voice for tonight, but as we stand here today, we can't help but think back to the journey that brought us to this moment. There were late nights, early mornings, and days we questioned if we would make it. We balanced classes, projects, work, friendship, relationships, and somehow managed to make it all work. We seen each other at our best, celebrated our tougher times, but and we lifted each other in the rougher moments. Gradu graduation is an ending, but it's also a beginning. We are stepping into a world that will challenge us in new ways and ask us to adapt, learn, ask us to adapt, learn, and grow. But if
021there's one thing we have proven to ourselves is that we are ready for this beginning. Congratulations, class of 2025. [Applause] Our next speaker is John Lewis. [Applause] We're here for you if you need it. Okay. All right. Thank you. Well, we made it. It's kind of hard to believe we're here. Ready to step into the next chapter of our lives, but I think back to when we first started, and high school was kind of just a blur for me. I wasn't always the most focused student. I didn't always take school seriously. But things changed in when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2022. My priorities changed. School became harder cuz my mind was elsewhere. I was worried about my mom and wondering if she'd be here to see this day. Then last
022year in April, she passed away two days after her birthday. It was the hardest thing I've gone through. But in the midst of it all, something clicked. I realized I needed to honor her memory by pushing myself, getting back on the right track, and by making the most of the life she encouraged me to live. So, as we step forward, let's carry the lessons we've learned, the memories we've made, and the dreams we hold dear. The future is ours to shape. Let's embrace it with courage, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of our goals. Wow. Our next speaker is Eileen Morales Aris [Applause] Mendes. Congratulations. It's right here. You're going to do great. Good afternoon. My name is Eileen Morales at Mendes. Standing here today, I can't help but think about how fast time moves. One
023day, we're walking into the school for the first time, unsure, nervous, wondering where we'll fit in. Now, here we are at the end of this chapter. And as we step forward into whatever comes next, I hope you remember this. Life isn't about never failing. It's about never giving up. It's about willing to try again. It's about believing in yourself even when it's hard. So, let's walk out of here today with gratitude, with courage, and knowing that no matter where we go, we carry this place, these people, and these memories with us. Thank you. And lastly, congratulations to the class of 2025. [Applause] Our final student speaker is Aubriana Swatman. [Music] [Applause] You're going to do great. Thank you. Fellow graduates, staff, proud parents, and honored guests. We stand here today at the end of years
024of hard work, dedication, and maybe a few too many late nights. It's hard to believe this chapter is closing, but as we look at back at our time here, let's remember the moments that shaped us. From nervous freshmen navigating campus for the first time to confident graduates ready to take on the world. We've grown together, learned from each other, and created memories that will last a lifetime. When freshman year started, I started hanging around the wrong crowd and ended up happening to leave Morirana. I transferred to Mountain Rose Academy. My grades were good, but I wasn't truly happy. It wasn't until this year when I transferred to MCAT that I felt like I had a place where I belonged, a place where I fit in. The teachers were so welcoming. I would like to give
025a huge shout out to Miss Sonia and Miss Christa for always supporting me. And the biggest shout out to Miss Green for everything she has helped me through this past year. I would also like to give a huge shout out to my parents for never giving up on me even when I'd given up on myself. For always believing in me that I could graduate and never letting me give up. We faced challenges, overcome obstacles. We've learned not only from textbooks and lectures, but we've also learned from each other. The friendships we've made here, the lessons we've learned, and the experiences we have shared have only prepared us for the future ahead of us. As we step out into the world, the future is uncertain, but that's what makes it so exciting. So, let's embrace the
026unknown, pursue our passions, and make a positive impact on the world. I am so thankful that we all get to graduate with Miss Green. Congratulations, class of 2025. Those are some pretty brave students, aren't they? And they're wonderful. Let's give them another round of applause. So now the big moment. Joining me for the presentation of diplomas is Mr. Tom Todd. Mr. Todd will be reading the names of our graduates as diplomas are awarded tonight. So, it is my pleasure to announce that the MCAD High School seniors who sit before you have met all the requirements set by the Morirana Unified School District to participate in this graduation ceremony. It's my privilege to ask the seniors to come forward to accept all of the honors which they have earned as graduates. [Applause] Well, be before we
027get started, folks, I just want to say that according to my wife and a handful of kids, um I look like Doug from the Liberty insurance. So, if anybody has an emu for sale, I'm looking for a new gig. [Applause] Serena Rose [Applause] Ayia, Josephine Katherine Amos, Luis Jose Bazerto, [Applause] Lacy Leanne Bice, [Applause] Kylie Renee Bingham, [Applause] Tristan Jeremy Boland, [Applause] Jade Lynn Booth, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Johnny Joseph Bosler, [Applause] Briana Marie Brock, [Applause] [Music] Unique Marie Canchola Salazar, [Applause] Trevor James Condit, [Music] [Applause] Sam Cook Elliott, [Applause] Zarya, Naima, Cordova, [Applause] Preston Anthony Daly, [Applause] Miranda [Applause] Daniels, Andrea Crystal, Davila [Applause] How are you, Mama? Zachary Brandon Davis, [Applause] Francis James Early, [Applause] Jerry Stormbringer Flores [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Jr. So proud of you. [Applause] Caleb Wyth Frasier, [Applause] Ronaldo
028Reyes, [Music] [Applause] Garcia, Sabrina Ina Carara Garcia, [Applause] Destiny Juliana Gonzalez, [Music] [Applause] [Music] Isabella Celeste Gonzalez, [Applause] Ilana Josephine Gonzalez Par [Music] [Applause] [Music] Lacy Luy Goucher Haynes [Music] [Applause] Isaiah Joshua Guerrero, [Applause] Aiden Christopher Charles Hatfield, [Music] [Applause] Jacob Michael Haney [Applause] [Music] Audrey Elizabeth Hess Yes. Ella Rose Hill, Isabella Eve Hoffman. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Aiden Hugal, [Applause] Naa, Renee Hwish, [Applause] [Music] I love her, too. Luis Eduardo Jacobo III, [Applause] Bethany Mariah Jones, [Applause] [Music] Bailey Lynn Keller, [Applause] Savannah Joe Kelly, [Applause] [Music] Kaylee Marie Key Wakefield. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] I love you. I love you, baby. Andrew Olan King. [Music] John Lewis Jr. [Applause] Aaliyah Marie Losby [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Noah Hugh McCloud [Applause] Araceli Iet Martinez. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Avery Haliyah Annne Meyer, [Applause] [Music] Carson
029Wesley, Ernest Meyer, [Music] [Applause] Jasmine Marie Morales. [Applause] [Music] Eileen Morales, Eris Mendes. [Applause] Cameron Michael Mutsburg [Music] Cyrus Allen Nogle [Applause] Elizabeth Angelie Ooa, [Applause] Aiden Riley Olsen, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Michaela Shelby Ortloff, [Applause] [Music] Brandon Charles Feifer, [Applause] Xander Allen Pickin, [Applause] Cadence Ashlin [Applause] Polling, Cesar Raina Kihada, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Leo Omar Chihada. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Lauren Rose Roberts [Applause] Mariah Divinity Roller [Applause] [Music] Benenzo Russo [Applause] Charles Ryan, [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Micah Jordan Sanchez, [Applause] [Music] Sheay Denise Sergeant [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Cameron Anthony Sink Madison Kylie Scamsky, [Applause] Aubriana Janelle Swatman, [Applause] Whan James D. [Applause] Taylor, Alisia Perscus, Toledo [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Um before Miss Green shares her closing remarks, we the staff would like to take a moment to express our deep appreciation
030for her leadership and support as she prepares to leave for her new role. At a small school like ours, we're fortunate to have daily interactions with our principal. I'm not going to be able to do this. Yeah. [Applause] For the record, it was a really great speech. Do you want me to finish it? It's okay. No, if you don't get it, I do. Do it. Do it. I got it. [Applause] Fun fact, I hate public speaking. I know. Wrong profession, I tell you. At a small school like ours, we're fortunate to have daily interactions with our principal. Moments that go beyond meetings and memos. These connections have allowed us to build beautiful, meaning, professional, and personal relationships that have shaped both our school's direction and our individual journeys. Miss Green, your leadership has been thoughtful.
031I can't look at you right now, though. And inclusive. You've known when to listen, when to invite ideas, and when to encourage us to grow in ways that align with our strengths and aspirations. You've cultivated an environment where every staff member felt seen, valued, and empowered. A place where we all had a hand in shaping MCAT into the school it is today. We will truly miss you. Thank you for everything. Good speech, Mr. Todd. Great speech, Mr. Todd. Thank you. So, we get to have our closing remarks now. And that was a great speech. Good job. Thank you, everyone. So, a poignant tradition at our MCAT graduation ceremony reminds us that there are those among us who do not take their diplomas for graduate for granted. Therefore, those students who are the first in their
032family to earn a high school diploma should now stand and be recognized. [Applause] I would like to take a minute to thank the staff at Miranda Middle School for letting us use their auditorium and for their assistance in setting up an this facility. The administrative team at Miranda Middle School, led by Mr. Rorm, has been incredibly supportive, helping us plan the event. I would also like to recognize the effort put in by the maintenance team to set up the facility and assistance with sound and lighting from Miss Sweeney in the back. So, now it's time to celebrate. MCAT High School graduates, please stand. Please turn your tassels. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the MCAT High School class of 2025. [Music] [Applause] [Music] I know. [Applause]