In 90 degree heat on June 7, Summit High School’s class of 2025 walked the stage and received their diplomas, officially ending their high school careers. This two-hour ceremony was filled with teachers, administrators, musicians and loved ones overflowing from the bleachers to the field in the Summit stadium.
The ceremony started off with the seniors marching from the gym to their seats, adorned in bedazzled caps and decorated chords, accompanied by an arrangement of “Pomp & Circumstance,” given by the Summit Band and Orchestra. Families stood in excitement, cheering for this transition in the seniors’ lives.
Following this procession, an array of graduates gave speeches addressing various cultural and academic achievements. To begin, Lily Ciaglo, an enrolled member of the Chugach Native Corporation of Alaska, read a land acknowledgment addressing the tribal ownership of Central Oregon’s spaces, followed by Student Council President Alicia Watson’s nostalgic speech. The ceremony then shifted as Principal Donna Servigat offered a welcome message and introduced Physics teacher Steve Platt to the stage.
Platt praised his former students Kenji Hoshi and Finnegan Howell, this year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian, by offering a metaphorical speech on Newton’s laws and their connection to the dedication of the graduates.
Bend LaPine Schools rounds GPA to the nearest hundredth decimal — making this year’s difference of 0.007 exceptionally close. Hoshi ended his high school journey with an impressive GPA of 4.52. In addition to excelling within Summit, he completed an associate’s degree in business at Central Oregon Community College, competed in competitive mountain biking and free ride skiing and worked as a part-time cook, among other passions. Howell, just as committed, ended with a GPA of 4.51 and was a four-year member of the Summit track team and involved in both Gardening Club and Neuroscience Club.
Following the recognition of these huge academic achievements, the graduating Choir, Band and Orchestra students performed a beautiful, tear-jerking rendition of “In My Life” by the Beatles as their final senior piece. This song’s commentary on remembering the people and places that have shaped us, represents the legacy of excellence the class of 2025 is leaving behind. From the 342 graduates, $4,600,000 in college scholarships was earned, 23 students were signed with athletic scholarships, individuals were accepted to elite military academies and Summit’s thunder Pageant participants raised over $100,000 for our Sparrow.
The outstanding success of these students was brought to closure as the class of 2025 took part in the tradition of being called to the stage, receiving their diplomas and cheering for their classmates. In one last moment together, these students turned their tassels and threw their caps, signifying the closing of this chapter.
