001And to our graduates, you truly inspire me. As I saw you every day intently reading, writing, creating, and researching in your respective classroom and study areas, you serve as student models of what academic achievement looks like. The individual drive and personal commitment each of you has made and is illustrated each day you were here at school is to be commended and something of which you should be proud after having read and viewed a variety of your various assignments, projects, essays, and artistic creations throughout the school year across the wide variety of classes and content areas. You have demonstrated your high level of instructional competency and giftedness as a learner and as a student. Your academic achievement amazes me and is to be valued as these academic skills and competencies will serve you well as you
002pursue continued higher education goals and career pathways. I encourage each of you to keep adding and layering to your well-formed foundation of literacy and academic skills. As graduates of the class of 2025, your high school career has been like none other. As each of your four years of high school has been shaded or colored by by a variety of shifts and unprecedented changes within society and around the globe, all of which have converged to shape a different world in which we live. for this un unprecedented road you have traversed. I applaud you. You have each tremendously exemplified grit and perseverance in admirable fashion. Please know that with the incredible strength that each of you have illustrated to have earned your rightful seat on the stage this evening, you have found within you the wherewithal and
003the personal conviction to begin and accomplish anything you set your sights on with undeniable success. These four years of dedication have wrought for you a lifetime of substantiated and well-earned confidence to pursue anything that you wish. Speaking through the lens of experience, your vision for what lies ahead may not always be crystal clear. There will be times when that vision is a bit cloudy and murky, obscuring the details of what is to be, where you will be, and or what you will be doing. Anticipate this and do not allow this to discourage you. My simple encouragement to you is just take the very next step in front of you. Just take the next step. You do not necessarily need to know or understand that many the many steps that will avail themselves down the road
004in their own perfect timing. The next step may be as simple as getting up, getting ready, walking out the door, attending your class, reporting for work, showing up for a scheduled appointment or meeting, or simply running an errand. When you just take this very next step, the following steps begin to reveal themselves, allowing you to keep moving forward as your vision becomes more clear. Even as someone as seasoned in life as me, I still have times when my vision and my future steps have not completely formed and are difficult to see. Whether that be personally or professionally, I have learned to just take the next step immediately in front of me. When you continually see, when you continually stay moving, your conscientious and intentional movement will lead you forward. While your time with us has
005sunset, you are merely at the cusp of beginning your journey and writing your own story. For some of you, this may be beginning college or trade school. Others may be off to serve in the military. Others of you may be already beginning your career pathway. Whatever you pursue, work at it diligently and with great effort. And continue to learn all that you can. If you do, the results you achieve will be without limits. Enjoy this accomplishment while embracing your next endeavor. I am very proud of each of you. Congratulations to the class of [Applause] 2025. I would now like to welcome our student speakers to the podium. Will our first speaker, Destiny Parker, please come forward. [Applause] Before I start, I would like to thank friends, family, and faculty. I want to give a special
006thank you to my grandma Jesse for never judging me, never giving up on me and showing me endless love. No matter how moody or annoying I was, you were always there. And I thank you and promise to make you proud forever. Grandpa Herman, thank you for always reminding me to do things for me and for being the father I needed, guiding me through life, teaching me things I never knew, and never giving up on me. I want to thank my cousin Rachel for always being there for me no matter for me and my sister no matter what time of day or night when we were struggling and always reminding me how strong I am for that I will always love you. Thank you to my grandma Kathy for providing a home love and support my
007parents lacked and showing me that there are people who care and love me. Thank you to my cousin Daja Turner for showing me things in life I would never imagine I could be around and showing me that it's okay to branch out. Thank you for loving me and reminding me who I am and who I want to be. A big thank you to my grandpar. Rest in peace to your unforgettable loving soul. I wouldn't have made it here without you and the strength and encouragement you've given me every day. Not only was I able to make you guys proud, but I got to see how strong I can be. I love you guys and thank you for everything you've done to get me to this [Applause] moment. You know, everyone thinks Elementary should be enjoyable
008and you can learn and make friends and high school is your moment to figure out who you are as a person. Life is a blessing but a rough thing to go through and I would like to take this time to tell my story. Throughout elementary school, I had rough times with my dad. I was physically abused and I became homeless by the time sixth grade came around, sleeping at a park, but I still completed the sixth grade and graduated. I lost someone important to me and lost my dad for a while and went through a rough time in middle school. From the beginning of freshman year through sophomore year, I was messing up and dropped out. I wasn't able I wasn't stable enough to think about what or where I wanted to be. I was
009at the lowest point of my life where I felt like nothing and I just wanted to disappear. The only thing that gave me the strength to keep going was knowing I had my grandparents support and I didn't want to disappoint them. Also, my teachers always telling me to keep going really meant a lot to me. When I started my junior year, my grandparents stepped up and helped me graduate. I finished two years in one and made it to this stage today. Getting this diploma today reminds me that I can make whatever I want happen, no matter what comes my way. I'm proud of myself and it is a blessing to stand on this stage today. It takes a lot of discipline, hard work, and I made it. We made it. Whatever you're going through, remember
010to always remind yourself that you've got you. Don't let the worst change who you are. and use the pain and strength to go forward. We all have gone through our trials and tribulations, but still worked our butts off to make it here today. And I'm here to tell all the class of 2025, I'm proud of you and chase your dreams and don't let anyone or anything tell you you can accomplish something because you made it. the discipline, the late nights, the late assignments, skipping class and stressing. You made it here today. As you walk this stage, be proud of yourself because I know our family and friends are. Also, Mr. Swain's the best. Lol. No, I love all my teachers the same. And I thank each and every one of you for the love and
011support you give every single one of your students. Your love and support is never unnoticed. And again, congrats to the class of 2025. [Applause] Please welcome Beatatrice Perez. Hello everyone. As I stand here today on this momentous occasion, I want to share with you my journey. A journey filled with dreams, determination, and my unwavering love for my children. There will be days when I will look at my kids who would c who would curiously ask, "Mom, did you finish school?" In those moments, my heart will would feel heavy. My oldest would chime in and remind us all, "No, mom hasn't done it yet." That truth sometimes stung, carrying with it the weight of dreams left behind. And it made me feel lost and fearful of what the future might hold. But even within that pain,
012a small voice within me would whisper, "You can still try." It will urge me to be brave and to reach for the sky. And so I realized that it's never too late to chase our dreams. I knew I had to step beyond my fears to let my to let my heart shine. With renewed determination, I picked up my books and embraced the unknown journey ahead. Those tears that once represented struggles slowly transform into tears of hope. A realization that I could change my path. My children needed to witness their mother striving for her goals. To see that it's never too late to grow and involve not just for myself but for them. Now, as I stand Now, as I stand before you today, having reached this incredible milestone, I can confidently say that every lesson
013I've learned along the way has made me stronger. Each victory, no matter how small, has lightened my heart and brought me closer to this moment. Today is not just a celebration of my achievement but a message to my children. It's okay to try and always always follow your dreams. As I stand here tall and proud has proved that we all can achieve our dreams. The most exciting part I will have the honor of walking across this stage to receive my diploma. This moment is more than a celebration. It's a symbol for each of my children and for anyone out there who can relate. It's proved that dreams can and do come true. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. First, I want to thank Kathy who has been my greatest supporter
014and my biggest cheerleader. Without you, I honestly don't know where I would be. Thank you for seeing me for who I am. Your belief is your belief in me has made all the difference. I also want to thank my sister Janet for helping me during those challenging times when homework felt difficult. Thank you for staying up late with me and ensuring I finish those hard assignments. Your support means the world to me. I also want to thank class for providing such a supportive and welcoming environment. I also want to give thanks to my teacher, Mrs. Hansen, whose belief and guidance have been a key help throughout my journey. Your encouragement has allowed me to unlock my full potential and I am incredibly grateful. As we move sorry as we move forward with love, let us
015remember that education is power and together we will shine hand in hand, side by side, we will pursue what is true and I will proudly show my children that all things we can achieve. Thank you and let's celebrate this day together. [Applause] Please welcome Arlene Sales. [Applause] Hello, my name is Arlene Selenus. To my teachers and fellow classmates of Central Adult School, I stand here before you today as a strong woman and a proud grandmother and finally a high school graduate. I can almost hear my abolita up in heaven saying, "Woohoo! Mita, you did it." You see, I am the oldest of 14 grandkids, and at the age of 58, I am the last one to earn my high school diploma. It's taken a while, but today I made [Applause] it. Throughout my journey, there
016were many moments, many moments I felt like giving up. But I kept hearing these words, "Don't give up. Don't give up." And I listened. It's true what they say. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who motivate you, who lift you up. I'm also living. Thank you. I'm also living proof that with trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. [Applause] With his love, guidance, and blessings, anything is possible. I truly couldn't have not done this without him. The support I received at Central Adult School was nothing short of amazing. From the principal of the school to the kind front desk clerk to the security guard who always had a smile, I thank you. But most of all, I want to thank someone who in my heart deserves the title teacher of the year. Mr. Josha
017Gman. Your words of wisdom, your patience, and your constant encouragement made all the difference. 40 years later. 40 years later, your belief in me. Let me see. 40 years later uh your belief in me helped turn my dream into reality and for that I will never forget you. So to anyone who is listening or who might think it's too late or that your time has passed, I am here to tell you it hasn't. It's never too late. I am now proud to say I am a graduate class of 2025. Thank you and may God bless you [Applause] all. Members of the governing board of trustees and interim superintendent O'Brien, the graduates before you have met all graduation requirements set forth by the state of California and Central Unified School District. I would now like to
018invite governing board members to join me on stage to congratulate these graduates as their names are called Destiny Virginia [Applause] Parker Beatatrice Perez [Applause] Arlene [Music] [Applause] Selenas, Alyssa [Applause] Maldonado, Angelina Delila Malagon, [Applause] Jose Antonio Barbosa, Jesse Talamontes, Adrien Calderon, Alexine Martinez, Calderon, [Music] Olivia Angelene [Applause] Bennett, Bla1 Thomas Paul [Music] Hearnstead, Alexis Gabriel Bettincourt, Jacob G. Suarez, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Irvin Giovani Bautista [Applause] Barahas, Marina Gonzalez, Melissa Flores, Millie Alawat, Guadalupe, Mia Brambila, Bellin Romero, [Applause] Natalie Mirel, [Applause] Larios, Jesse Annette Gomez, Angela Marie Tinsley, Andre Dwayne [Applause] Tinsley, Destiny Leanne [Applause] Atkins, Aaliyah [Music] Garcia, Daniel Gatika Deas, Ryan Kamiat, Angel Aguilar, Karina Aguilar, Johnny Malttos, Jesus [Applause] Sanchez, George Miguel Reynoso Rashad Kareem [Applause] Norman, Ethan Garlo, [Applause] Galindo, Moises, Jonathan Diaz, Annayia Ariana Reyes, Evelyn Santos [Applause] Flores, Alexis Danielle
019Hatfield, [Applause] Gilbert Ramos Chavaria, Rocky James [Music] Gutierrez, Emily Marie Menddees, Cloyd Marshall, [Applause] [Music] Rashidita Shalon Woods, [Applause] Dataja Maniah Turner, [Applause] Gina Michelle Goodwin, Adam Charles Flores, [Applause] Megan Kennedy, Jave Deshawn, McIntyre, [Music] Estella, OA [Music] Carmona, Maline Jesselle Mendes, Joanna Gonzalez, Natalyia Noami Ramirez, Pearla Ana Gos Chantel Blahos [Applause] Enriquez, Raina Garcia, [Music] Josie Vargas, [Music] Karina Mayorga, Zariah Janetta, Immani Ricks, Kennedy Harris, Ralph Manuel Arce, Christopher Reyes, [Applause] Jessica and Marie Rodriguez, [Applause] Joy Jacquellyn Leos, Amanda Elizabeth Aguilar, [Applause] Mariah Elizabeth Little, Jessica Humphrey, [Applause] Jordan Halford, [Applause] Frederick [Applause] [Music] Garcia, Daniela Gomez, [Applause] Audra [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Barbosa, Irene Lopez, Blanca Navardo Guzman, [Applause] Adan [Applause] Zamurio, Hector Neves, Joseph Mayorgga, [Music] Luis Vivar Thomas [Music] Arona David Rodriguez Jr. Aubrey Cortez, [Music] Yatsidi Garcia Lopez, Jakara Irene Davis,
020Arman Singh, Joshandep Singh, Prabjot Singh, Tanvir [Music] Singh, Sebastian Moreno, Celeste, Danielle Rogers, Vince Michael Moreno, Sarah Elizabeth Gavvada, Jillian Tucker, Itel Jr. Naha Vjo Michael Andonian Dalia Castanera Adah Espinosa, Freeman Reyes, [Applause] Hunter, Monae, Janae Green, [Music] Michaela Marie Venturi Montes Jorge Maximino Munoz [Music] Maldonado Val Vadarez [Music] Isaac Gonzalez, Julian Ibara Jr. Aiana Marie Gonzalez, Tiana Elicia Cruz, Jasmine M. Jimenez, Jesus, Alfredo Santana, Ro Aranda, Leticia Montes, Velasco, Harleen Cord, Ariana Elias, [Music] Alexis Rose Gonzalez, [Applause] [Music] Helen Hamid, Kayla Destiny Velasco, Sergio Perez, Angelica Corina Rosas, [Music] Daisy Rivas, [Music] Omari Bogen, Jasmine Hernandez, [Music] Jasmine Sierra Altoano, [Music] Linda L. Moraga, [Applause] [Music] Jasine Michelle Delgado, Selena Monnique, Science, Lee Chang, Yang Alfonso L. [Applause] Russ, James Anthony Gonzalez, Julysa Walupe, Friday, Marisol Antones, Corey, Lynn, Tamisha, [Applause] Leslie, Lynette, Kimberly,
021Garcia, Losano, Victor James Gomez, Jocelyn May Hunt, Penelopey Tida Kong, [Music] Cassidy Faith Cox, Nichollet Rivera [Music] Morga, Delila Eve Flores, [Applause] [Music] Mercedes Marie [Applause] Gamboa, Elijah Dwayne Crouch, [Applause] Carson Coup Chang, Aubrey Serena [Music] Gonzalez, Jesse Jose Rueas, Isaac James Gynan Lencion Ernest Tubis Cha Stella Venegas Cody Wilson, Adam Munie, Yaya Bernardet Martinez, [Music] Paris Lopez, Andrea Ramos, Nunez, Francisco Javier Lopez Zamora. [Applause] Everybody [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Graduates. Graduates, please move your tassel from the right to the left, signifying your accomplishment. I am honored to present the graduating class of 2025. [Applause] So, thank you all for joining us in honoring our 2025 graduates on this very special evening. Audience, please remain seated until the last graduate has exited, upon which please join us next door in the cafeteria for
022a reception and photo opportunity with your [Applause] graduate. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. What's up, man? That's good. Congratulations guys. Congratulations. Congratulations. Good to see you. [Music] Oh my goodness. Happy birthday, mama. She didn't hear me. Marina, Marina, Marina. [Music] Hello. [Music] [Applause] That's what's up. Good job. Yeah, that's awesome.