Graduates smile after the "Pomp and Circumstance" processional.
Lucerne Valley High School graduated its largest senior class in many years when 91 members of the Class of 2025 were conferred at sunset on a pleasant spring night on Thursday, May 22nd. Additionally, 15 seniors from the Lucerne Valley USD’s alternative school, Mountain View High School, graduated with the LVHS seniors.
The commencement exercises, which were held on the school’s Ron Peavy Football Field, had a full house of family members and friends packed into the bleachers. In fact, due the large number of guests additional rows of chairs were set up on the track.
Principal Jason Story welcomed guests after the processional of graduates walking in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” which was performed by the Lucerne Valley High School band. Lucerne Valley Rangers presented the colors.
See graduation video on Youtube.
See the livestream version of the graduation on Hudl.
See a photo album of the event.
Keynote speaker Stephen Tyrrell, the maintenance manager at Mitsubishi Cement Plant who recently won a seat on the Victor Valley College Board of Trustees, shared a message of encouragement to the graduates.
“I challenge you to stay open minded and respectful of others and their views,” Mr. Tyrrell said. “I challenge you to continue learning daily and be a critical thinker. I challenge you to be a reliable family, friend and co-worker. Know that none of what you do really matters if not grounded in something or someone much bigger than yourself.” He also touted both Victor Valley College and Barstow College as fantastic opportunities for get ready for a meaningful career.
Mr. Story led a round of applause district team members who are retiring, Jose Hernandez and Christy Rees.
The first student speaker was ASB President Chloe Evans, who had the third highest grade point average in her class.
“Now that the day is here it’s hard for me to say goodbye,” Chloe said thank her friends, coaches and teachers. “Although I will be saying goodbye I know I will be carrying you everywhere I go. You will never be forgotten.”
This year Jadyn Paddack, who had the fourth highest grade point average in her class, gave a speech as Valedictorian Meilani Nguyen and Salutatorian Rylee Giles joined her on stage.
“Standing here today I’m feeling a mix of sadness, excitement and disbelief,” Jadyn said. “It’s hard to believe our high school careers are about to be over.” She remembers realizing that “I’m never going to use the quadratic formula in real life.” Jadyn encouraged her fellow classmates to remember that success isn’t just about grades or titles, “it’s about showing up with integrity, leading with kindness and never giving up even when things get hard.”
Next was Crystal Mustang Award winner Zoey Davis, also a Top 5 student in her class. “This journey has brought me experiences I never dreamed I’d have,” she said. “It’s been filled with joy, laughter, unforgettable memories, and I’m truly honored and grateful for every moment.”
However, not everything was easy, she said, but friends helped endure the difficult times. “We persevered with the help of the friends we found along the way, but here we are the Class of 2025 about to be sent off into the real world.”
Other special recognitions to the Class of 2025 went to Elizabeth Davis, who received the Counselor’s Award, and Braxton Cervantes, who won the Principal Choice Award.
Mr. Story presented the class followed by school board president Chelsea LaGrange, who formally accepted the Class of 2025.
Staff members Adriana Barajas, Candice Flores and Andrea Moretz presented the diplomas.
Graduate Natalie Coe, who survived a tragic traffic incident in which three of her friends were killed as they walked near her Lucerne Valley home, led her class in the ceremonial turning of the tassel. Sandra Mizer, one of the girls who died, was recognized as an honorary graduate of the Class of 2025.
Mr. Story thanked Mitsubishi and community members for raising more than $115,000 for senior scholarships and also thanked Hert Trucking, Jessica Risler and other generous donors for the senior gift baskets.
“I’d like to congratulate all of you for what you’ve achieved today,” Mr. Story said to the graduates. “You’ve reached a major milestone but you did not get here alone. I encourage you to thank the people that helped you reach this point, your teachers, counselors, classmates, and most important remember to thank your parents and family members that supported you along the way.
“Each of you brings a different story to the stage this evening. Each of you have taken a different journey. Some of you made a few mistakes along the way that set you back. Others were dealt a rough hand in life. Understand you are here because you have overcome adversity in your young lives. You did it. Today you can hold your head high in victory. You didn’t give up. You kept moving forward. Perseverance and hard work paid off. You should be very proud of yourselves.”
Class of 2025 Graduates
Jennifer Acosta Cervantes, Samuel Acosta Mosso, Samuel Arreola, Issac Atkins, Wyatt Balloue, Luis Baltazar Antonio, Sonia Beede, Bradley Bernal, Jayden Bruce, Yomari Calderon, Zochil Castillo, Maria Castro, Braxton Cervantes, Natalie Coe, Xitlali Contreras, Jose Correa Torres, Brian Cortez, Francisco Cortez, Gloria Cortez, Elizabeth Davis, Zoey Davis, Dee Demke, Estevan Diaz, Rochelle DuBoise, Perla Espinosa-Garcia, Alicia Estrada-Rippee, Chloe Evans, Carlos Fabela, Anthony Filippi, Aylim Flores Cruz, Cheyenne Flowers, Valentin Garibay, Rylee Giles, Geovani Godoy, Arelyn Gonzalez, Raul Gonzalez, Edyn Herrera, Joely Herrera, Dylan Hileman, Jenny Islas, Ashlyn Kenahan, Theresa Kintigos, Jose Ledezma, Maria Lepe Arias, Noah Lindner, Luisangel Lupercio, Christian Martrinez Cortes, Chayane Mendoza, Francisco Muñoz Miranda, Isaiah Navarro, Meilani Nguyen, Gerardo Orozco, Leire Ortega Lopez, Marisela Ortega Vega, Thomas Ortiz, Jadyn Paddack, Jacob Palmerin, Jason Picco, Erick Prieto Figueroa, Tyler Reighard, William Rietdyk, Belinda Sanchez, Alexsia Sanchez Mendoza, Aydin Stewart, Jasmin Suarez, Tiana Tellez Duch, Melissa Toledano, Jasmine Torres, Jessica Torres Martinez, Gabriel Trindle, Brooke Vaughn, Brandon Wilson and Maravely Zamara.
Honorary Graduate: Sandra Mizer
Mountain View High School Class of 2025 Graduates: Mikayla Alpizar, Christopher Birge, Brayon Fuentes, Joseph Gomez Sanchez, Kaiden Gutierrez Zuniga, Joseph Lopez, Sayge McFarland, Daniel Raygoza, Coral Rios, Faith Rios, Kiakini Rosa, Isabella Smith, Maria Urrutia, Savannah Womack.
Senior Awards & Recognitions
Top 5 G.P.A.: Meilani Nguyen, Rylee Giles, Chloe Evans, Jadyn Paddack, Zoey Davis
Counselor’s Award: Elizabeth Davis
Principal Choice Award: Braxton Cervantes
Crystal Mustang Award: Zoey Davis