I am Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, the proud principal of Round Rock Early College High School, and
it is my honor to welcome each of you to today's class of 2025 commencement ceremony. Please
remain standing, if you would please join me in standing first.
Please remain standing
for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by ECHS Seniors, Sammy Meary and Naomi Nathan, and
the National Anthem performed by ECHS Seniors, Evan Pena and Samira Wiggins.
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.
Now remain standing for the Texas Pledge.
Honor the Texas flag.
I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state under God, indivisible.
You may be seated.
it.
Thank you, Sammy, Naomi, Evan, and Samira.
Realm Rock Early College High School began in 2016.
And today, we are pleased to celebrate our sixth graduating
class.
Given their dedication, determination,
along with the support from parents, families, teachers,
professors, friends, and school community,
the class of 2025 has reached this exceptional milestone
of high school graduation today.
87% of the seniors sitting before us are now college graduates
with their Associate of Arts degree in General Studies,
or are the first in our ECHS cohort to graduate
with their Associate of Science degree in General Studies.
and
all of our seniors are well on their way with at least 30 hours of college
credits they have earned over the past four years.
The seniors within this
graduating class of 2025 have been accepted into universities throughout the
country and have been fortunate to receive numerous scholarships. In total
To date, the ECHS graduating class of 2025 has been awarded $2,672,514 in scholarships.
Congratulations for a job well done.
It is now my pleasure to introduce our esteemed guests.
Please stand as I call your name and audience please hold your applause until all names
have been called.
President of the School of
Education.
Brown Rock I S. D. Superintendent
of Schools Doctor Haffed Aziz,
Brown Rock I S. D. Board of
Trustees, Tiffany Harrison
President, Alicia Markham Vice
President, Amber Landrum
Secretary, Choe Zerate,
Trustee, Melissa Ross,
Trustee, Amy Weir, Trustee,
and Dr. Michael Way,
executive leadership team, Dr Natalie Nichols,
senior chief of schools and innovation, Dennis Covington,
chief finance officer, chief operations officer, Anastasia Drabicki,
chief of public affairs and communications, Cindy Heal,
general counsel, Eddie Curran, chief human resource officer,
Donald Bruton, chief technology officer, Karen Gray,
of Access and Opportunity, Ryan
Urutia, Chief of Police,
Central Administrative Staff,
Dr. Patricia Eflin, Area
Superintendent of the Stony Point
Learning Community, Dr.
Mya Mercer, Area Superintendent
of the McNeil Learning
Community, Dr.
Zach Odom, Area Superintendent
of the Westwood Learning
Community, Dr. Nancy Guerrero,
Area Superintendent of the Cedar
Ridge Learning Community, Dr.
Dr. Logan Farris, Area Superintendent of the Round Rock Learning Community, Dr. Byron
Gerard, Area Superintendent of Student Support Services, Rodrigo Pertilio, Assistant Superintendent
of Academics, Diane Folletto, is Associate Director of Marketing and Engagement, and
Blanca Valencia is our principal for Success High School.
Can you please give them a round of applause?
There's a team that supports all of our graduations and we would like to just
thank our district staff, definitely Stephanie Cheatham, Betty Joe Byrne and her team as
well. Thank you for your support to all of those who are on the dais as well as those
in the audience. Thank you for your support of our students and families at Early College
High School and within Round Rock ISD. We also have Austin Community College team
members who are here with us. Representing today are Jason Sanchez, Director of High
school programs, enrollment and partnership, if he would please stand. And we also have
Devin Miller, who is our Interim Director of Academic Success, College and High School
Relations. We can give them a round of applause.
Without doubt, we must acknowledge our early
college high school staff for all of their hard work and their dedication to our students.
Would all of our ECHS teachers and staff please stand to be recognized?
Thank you.
We would also like to acknowledge our previous ECHS staff who are with us on this morning.
If you are a previous ECHS staff member, can you also please stand to be recognized?
We would like to acknowledge our ECHS PTSA board president, Mrs. Lynch, as well as
our treasurer, Mrs. Reese, for their unending support of ECHS students and staff.
Can you please stand to be recognized?
In
addition, on our PTSA side, the team that supports, we would like to do a special acknowledgement
to Mr. and Mrs. Illich and the WD Kelly Foundation for all of their support of the ECHS school
community.
Can you please stand?
I'm always thankful for my entire supportive village, and that includes my parents,
my siblings, my best-goodest friend, my nieces and nephews, and today, of course,
I have to acknowledge my sweet mom.
Who is here? So Dr. Velma Wilson, would you please stand?
Finally, we must thank our senior class parents for their love, their support, all of that
which you have provided for your students as well as the partnership with Early College
High School. Would the parents of our seniors please stand to be recognized?
Thank you
all for being here and making a difference in the lives of our students in the class
of 2025. Now with opening remarks, please join me in welcoming our student council
president Truman Hamade.
Howdy everyone, and good morning. I'd like to give a warm
welcome to our guests, faculty and staff, proud parents, and most importantly, the
graduating class of 2025.
Thank you for being here to celebrate this
significant milestone of ours.
My name is Truman Hamadeh, and I'd like to start off by saying
what an incredible honor it's been to share this journey
with all of you over the past four years.
During our time in high school, you may have known me as a friend,
entrusted me to be class president,
or even voted to make me your prom king.
For every laugh, every conversation,
every unforgivable experience we shared,
I'm deeply grateful.
I truly believe there couldn't have been a more talented, more interesting, and more extraordinary group to be alongside during those moments than y'all.
Soon we'll all be heading down our own paths, each one far too unique and exciting for me to try and sum up here.
Believe me, I tried.
Yet, despite the diverging roads that face us, there's an underlying principle that they all hold the same.
To illustrate this shared inevitability, I'd like to bring up some wise words from another
handsome president named Truman.
Now on President Harry S. Truman's desks, there was a little sign which read, the buck
stops here.
It proudly sat on the desk of him throughout his entire presidency.
This age-old saying signifies taking full ownership of your actions and the consequences
they carry. The plaque served as a powerful reminder that he accepted
ultimate responsibility for all decisions, refusing to pass that buck of
accountability to anyone else.
Crossing this graduation stage right here marks
our step into a world where the choices we make are entirely our own. A world
that won't let you put that massive responsibility on anybody but yourself.
self. But even as you carry that weight, I want you to know that the path you walk will
never be a lonely one. Whether it's your parents, your teachers, your friends, or anyone who's
had your back, all these years, someone will always be in your corner. So keep going, keep
fighting, take the time to celebrate how far you've come, cherish the memories, hug
your parents and hold those diplomas up high, as well as those associate's degrees,
because
you've earned it.
I can't know for sure what life will take us, but I'm certain of this.
Each and every one of you is capable of something incredibly special.
Wherever you go from here, I just want you to remember, the buck stops with you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chairman.
I'm Helen Holmes. It is my honor to recognize the achievements of the senior
class of 2025. Your program explains the meetings of the Stoll, Stoll's collars
and cords of distinction worn by our students today. Students donning a
white Stoll and white tassel have completed an associate of arts degree
in general studies and students wearing a white Stoll and gold tassel have
completed an associate of science degree in general studies for Mossden
Community College, both rigorous degree plans. Please stand to be recognized as an associate
of arts degree graduate.
Please
stand to be recognized as an associate of science degree
graduate.
Please stand to be recognized if you are graduating core complete at Austin
Community College.
Please stand to be recognized if you have earned 30 or more college credits.
Thank you.
We commend our honor graduates who have achieved a 4.0 or higher. Please stand
to be recognized as an honor graduate.
Thank you.
National Honor Society members please
stand.
Thank you.
Our National Merit Commended Scholars for the class of 2025 please stand
to be recognized.
Siri Bandem and Barat Sachdeva. Thank
you.
We acknowledge our National African
American, First Generation, Hispanic, Indigenous and rural small town scholars. Please stand
to be recognized as National College Board Scholars.
Thank you. It is now my pleasure
to introduce our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Angelica Ross, to present our top 10 graduates.
At
this time, we recognize our top 10 graduating seniors.
As I call your name, please stand and remain standing until all have been recognized.
We also invite your parents and family members to stand and remain standing when your name
is called.
Number 10, Gwendolyn Hannah.
Number 9, Oz Dykeman.
Number 8, Truman Hamade.
Number 7, Madison Kim.
number
six Matthew Illian number
five Sophia Reese
number four Usman Khan number
three Siri Bandem our
early college high school salutatorian is Sarah Zavalletta
our
valedictorian for the early college high school class of 2025 is Christine
Gibson you
may be seated you
may be seated thank you
since starting four
Four years ago, the class of 2025 has provided campus support, commendable volunteerism, and
service on behalf of themselves, their classmates, ECHS students, and this school community.
Our class of 2025 has dedicated over 3,991 hours of service to our community.
Their
individual and collective efforts have been purposeful, impactful, and have made
a difference.
The Class of 2025 is a group of achievers.
The enrichment clubs and initiatives they have started both inside and outside of school
reflect their creativity and have enhanced our campus culture, built school voice
and advocacy and demonstrated the importance of service to others for future graduating
classes. Even with the huge focus and commitment to academics along their path, this class
of 2025 has still given back to the ECHS school community. Seniors, you have served
as examples, mentors, friends for our ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders. You have been
leaders, tutors, and representative voices. Jane Goodall said, what you do makes a difference,
and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. We believe you will make
make a positive difference, given the outstanding work you've done within the early college
high school community. As you continue on this journey, your inner circle may change
over time. However, please remember that your parents love you. They will always be your
biggest advocates and supporters. I must also acknowledge all of the teachers, once again,
the staff, professors, and administrators that began with you and have supported you,
instructed, advised, and cheered you on all along the way. We look forward to
seeing what you will do and all you will become. We believe that each of you
can help positively impact and change this world for the better. With
As graduation comes responsibility, to whom much is given, much is required.
As I have shared with our previous graduating classes, we welcome you to become part of our
Early College High School Alumni Association.
For everything that has been poured into you, my closing request is to pass it on.
Give it back and share about your experiences.
Thank you so much for joining
me in this session.
Ladies and gentlemen, please
join me in saluting the
Round Rock ISD, excuse me, yes,
and early college high school
class of 2025.
The next part of our program
will be class messages.
The first message is from the
salutatorian of the early
college high school class of
to the podium.
Hello class of
2025 and welcome family and
guests. Congratulations everybody
we made it. It is my honor to
speak as our class
salutatorian. I would like to
thank God for all the amazing
people he's put in my life these
past four years. People like my
parents for their loving
guidance my sisters Rachel and
Natalie for always keeping me
grounded and my classmates who
became very close friends
Rebecca, Rachel, and Naomi. You guys are the reason I loved coming to school. My
kindergarten teacher came to watch me graduate today, so a huge thank you and
shout out to Ms. TJ. You started my educational journey.
Just like every
senior here, 13 years ago, we walked through our kindergarten classroom doors
and this morning we're all sitting here together graduating high school. Our
ECHS staff has always cheered us on. Thank you to every teacher and
administrator for your help and support. I would like to specifically thank Mr.
Kuba check for teaching us seas get degrees coach Meyer for being an amazing
listener and pals teacher miss Picasso for being the sweetest teacher I ever
had and an awesome Zoom instructor miss Holmes for being my strongest advocate
during college admission season and of course mr. Clint skills for
We are truly caring and pushing us all to succeed.
Mr. Clint Scales gave us many bits of wisdom, or as some of us call them, rants and avid.
He said, when we graduate and move to college, we have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves,
because no one will know us when we leave ECHS.
I think the idea of reinventing ourselves is inevitable.
We have so many more life experiences ahead of us.
Since our kindergarten years, we've given up on some silly ideas, and with some humility
and wisdom were likely to change some of the silly ideas we have here today.
One thing I hope we don't reinvent is our love-hate relationship with the portables
that allowed us all to become closer as friends. Our class of 2025
is the largest class to graduate ECHS. There are many things
that make our class special, but here are the stories I'll be telling my college friends.
We were the last class to have shown up literally before the sun freshman year,
so nobody signed up for an 8am lecture. One of my favorite memories
memories is learning that playing volleyball at lunch can actually be quite dangerous.
I know we all remember the portables and people we hit. If I remember right, three of them
had to go to the dentist. I'm so sorry. And of course, the portable culture that
banded us all together. The pipe that burst, the skunk under the girls bathroom, and running
through the rain and hopefully not slipping on portable ramps. And I hope we all remember
and cherish the memories we made at our senior prom. Everyone here is so proud
of us for making it to graduation. I know I had senioritis this last semester, as did
most of us. Some of us even had those freshmen, but we made it to graduation, which is a huge
accomplishment. The seniors here are some of the most dedicated 17 and 18 year olds
in our district. Four years ago, we started our journey of getting an associate's degree,
and today that decision is finally paying off. I know that in the next four years,
we will continue to stay dedicated to our goals and continue to butter ourselves.
I'm praying for us all to succeed and our college and career path will be starting in a few months.
A friendly reminder to everyone, enjoy your senior summer.
It's the last one we'll have before real adult responsibilities.
We've been planning for graduation and college this past year,
so let's fully take in this moment and live in the moment during our senior summer.
Finally, I hope we can all reunite next year when the new building is open
and watch our portables being towed away.
Thank you so much and congratulations again.
Thank
you, Sarah. Our second class message is from the valedictorian of the ECHS class of 2025, Christine Gibson.
Please welcome Christine.
I'm
blessed with the honor, but also the privilege of speaking to you today as your valedictorian.
Because I stand among some of the most accomplished people and some of the hardest workers I have ever met.
I want to thank God and my family, especially my mother because I never would have been here without you.
If you're anything like me, all of your countdowns are now at zero.
The mad dash to the finish line is finally over.
The ribbon now lies in half on the ground.
It's the day we've all been waiting for.
Today, the early college high school class of 2025 is graduating.
life being life as we celebrate the end of one countdown all the others keep
ticking some to our delight and others to our dismay and despite all of this I
want to invite you to pause in the pursuit of time the swiftest runner of
all and let's look back look around and look forward as we're together one last
time when I think back to the past three years we were different people if I
think hard enough I remember long bus rides as we slept on our way to
school, very good early risers.
I think of us dodging volleyball in the Amphitheater.
And even a time when there was three lunches
and even fewer cares, we didn't know it.
But passion was bumbling underneath the surface.
And because of that passion, during our time at ECHS,
I had the opportunity of meeting artists like Jasmine
and Sam.
I met three dancers who committed countless hours
to their art form.
I met Olympic weight lifters like Usman.
I met creatives like Sterling and later Aiden, who would turn mere assignments into masterpieces.
And I realize now that passion was what defined each and every one of us all the while.
It was passion that propelled Spillers as he sprinted through the classroom at 9 a.m.
because caffeine could never, never, or wags to talk about parasites
as if they were plushies with a smile on her face.
And that same passion made Portable 376A Star Wars on one side,
physics on the other and kubichuk all around. And as I watch you thrive I learned that passion
is multifaceted. Looking around today there's so many faces that should have been here but
aren't and so many that started with us and ended elsewhere. There's so many that
didn't start with us and are now an integral part of our class. And so we look today
we see that there's so many people who brought us where we are. On the behalf of the class
As of 2025, I want to thank our trustees and Dr. Aziz for working to help us realize
that there is a vision to create innovative solutions for students and helping us to improve
it and expand it despite all the rainy days along the way.
And I'd like to thank the devoted staff members of ECHS because your passion is what sets
ECHS culture apart from other schools time and time again.
You deliberately chose a path of greatest resistance with the hope of changing just
one life.
and I want to let you know that you did.
You changed ours.
And so know that you've impacted the class of 25
and we are grateful to be on the receiving end
of such kindness.
This auditorium is packed full of parents,
guardians and friends and loved ones
because our class does not have those numbers.
And we want to thank you for the sacrifices
that you made to bring us here.
When I look at my peers, I realize
that everything we need going forward,
we have within us already.
For example, I see Cameron,
A true feminist who taught me that we stand upon the shoulders of giants and need to continue
to build their work going forward.
I think of Evan and Barat, mighting their few words but full of life if you ever take time
to listen.
And they taught me that passion may not always be loud and vocal.
It's also chipping away at the task at hand with dedication.
I think of Travion, a master of Manson subtle arts reminding me that occasionally we need
to let go.
And Carmen and Myla, the importance of friendship,
Audrey, creativity and calculus can happen.
I think of Magnus, passion can be hidden,
not always what people might think it is.
Or Ethan, that passion can be practical as well.
Or Elijah, that our hobbies should be cultivated
just as much as our earning potential.
And so looking into the future,
it's like looking into the sun.
It hurts, it's blinding, but for some weird reason
we keep looking at it, even though we can't even see it.
And so in the society where the world seems to be descending into chaos at every turn,
passion is what will take us forward.
When I look ahead, I see astrophysicists, I see game designers, doctors, nurses, I see mechanics, politicians,
engineers, chemists, leaders, creative innovators, business leaders.
I see forces to be reckoned with.
And if I squint hard enough, I think I see a reunion, but it's pretty faint.
And whether or not we reunite, we've already begun to change the future in ways we may never know
and in places we may never go.
I'm sure many of us will receive grad gifts today
and even give some, but let's not forget
one of the greatest gifts we've been given
during our time at ECHS, and that's time.
Whether it's two years, 20 credits, or two seconds,
we've been given a head start.
Can we ever catch up to time?
Not that I know of, but we've been given
a head start in the race.
One day, we'll ask the same question we're asking today,
where did all the time go?
but today we celebrate as Dr. Wilson mentioned earlier it said that to who
much is given much is expected and interestingly enough we don't always
seem to meet expectations sometimes we fall short other times we exceed them
my personal favorite is when we redefined them and that's the thing
about our class we've never settled for what was handed to us as will be
proved today we kept knocking kept emailing kept pushing until something
moved until something shifted. And that's the story of the class of 25. We don't just meet
expectations. We challenge them. We raise them. And having looked in, around, and ahead
of ourselves today, I thank you once more and encourage us to be people. More than just
passionate people, but people of passion. People driven by an inner force, one that
propels through opposition knowing there's
a cause worth pursuing.
Not just people who take up space,
but people who shake up the spaces that they're in.
The countdown may be at zero, but we're not out of time.
It's just simply time to begin.
Thank you, Christine, for your lovely words.
We will now begin awarding diplomas to our graduates.
Today is for celebration of our students
and their families, but it is also a ceremony
and it deserves its due respect.
Please extend the same courtesy
to the last senior honored as the first.
At this time, with the top 10 graduates
and our graduation program participants,
please proceed down the ramp to my right,
to your seats for the validation of candidacy.
I have the great honor of introducing
Dr. Hafed Aziz, Superintendent of Schools,
to certify our class of 2025.
Students, please stand and remain standing during the validation of candidacy.
The class of 2025, Starr Kindergarten back in 2012.
That was the year LeBron James won his first MBA title.
And the iPhone 5 was the hottest thing around.
I know a lot has changed since then, including our graduates who have grown into smart,
resilient and inspiring people. Now the young adults before you today are the
voices of tomorrow's progress and innovation. They are our future scientists,
educators, artists, entrepreneurs, developers, explorers, and leaders.
Graduates, enjoy today.
We are cheering on as you take your next steps.
We believe in you.
We are proud of you, and we will miss you.
And so by the authority vested in me by the state of Texas and the Round Rock Independent
School District, I certify to the Board of Trustees that all students who have met
at their graduation requirements are
bi-illegible to receive their high school diploma.
Congratulations to the class of 2025.
You did it.
Thank you, Dr. Aziz.
Seniors, you may be seated.
Will the first row please stand and prepare
to receive your diplomas.
Now to assist with the presentation of the graduates
will be our ECHS counseling team, Dr. Valerie
Lozier, Ms. Helen Holmes.
each senior's name will be called along with a special statement each wanted to
share. As mentioned by a Mrs. Ross we ask that you please refrain from prolonged
cheering during this celebration as the noise may drown out the names and
special statements from each senior. At this time will our board, our
superintendent, please get into your positions and we will begin the
awarding of the diplomas.
Number one in the class are valedictorian, Christine
Masoma Gibson.
Christine will be attending Syracuse University
to earn her bachelor's in sociology and master's
in public administration simultaneously
before advancing to law school to work
in non-profit administration and council in the future.
She wants to thank her very own mother for everything,
her family for their incessant support,
support, her friends who kept her sane, Dr. Logier for being her cheerleader, and every
teacher and mentor who played a role in the story of her life.
Number two in the class are salutatorian Sarah Zavallera.
Sarah will be attending Texas Christian University to pursue a specialty nursing degree.
Number three in the class, Siri Sahasra Bandham.
Siri will attend the University of Texas at Austin majoring in biomedical engineering.
She will be pursuing a career in the health care.
Number four in the class, Usman Ali Khan.
Usman will attend the University of Texas at Austin majoring in biology
and eventually going to medical school.
Number five in the class, Sophia Artemisia Reis. Sophia will be attending Loyola University,
Chicago, on a presidential scholarship and will be majoring in political science. She will
also be dancing with Balli Austin as a member of their studio company. Sophia would like
to thank her family for their continuous support and encouragement to pursue her passions
as well as paying for her numerous piles of point shoes.
Number six in the class, Matthew
Thomas Illian. Matthew will attend Texas State University to pursue a degree in
communication and eventually go to seminary.
Number seven in the class
Madison Jane Kim. Madison will attend Case Western Reserve University and
will major in aerospace engineering.
Number eight in the class Truman James
James Hamade. Truman will be attending Texas A&M University and major in Electrical Engineering.
Number nine in the class, Oz Deichmann. Oz will be attending the University of Texas
at Austin and major in Arts and Entertainment Technologies. They appreciate the teachers,
professors, family and friends who have supported their high school journey in pursuit
of higher education.
Number 10 in the class,
Gwendolyn Joyce Hanna.
Gwen will attend
Toulton University to pursue
a kinesiology degree.
She wants to thank her parents
for all their support.
Jonathan Lucas Abels.
John will be pursuing
a career in computer
IT management.
Ahmed Almamore.
Ahmed will attend Texas State
Right next year and major in mechanical engineering, he wants to thank his mom, dad, and family
for supporting him.
Malek Maud Alouakfi Malek will be attending UT San Antonio and pursue
a degree in computer science.
Ethan Dale Anderson Ethan will be attending Universal Technical
Institute to be a mechanic.
To those he loves, he says, thanks for sticking around.
Bearington Andrew Batchelor.
Bearington will be attending Howard University in
Washington DC to pursue a bachelor's and master's degree in economics
simultaneously.
Amira Azim Bhatti. Amira will attend the University of Texas at
Dallas and major in mechanical engineering.
Jackson Gregory Benford.
Jacks will enlist in the United States Marine Corps and pursue a career in
counterintelligence.
Marceline Blevins. Marceline locked in and made it through
her classes and looks toward a future overseas.
Audrey Eliza Bollard. Audrey will
attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in computer science.
Lyndon Michael Brown.
Lyndon will be pursuing a degree in business administration at UT Dallas.
He wants to thank his parents for their unwavering love and support.
Max Owen Bryant in absentia.
Max will be attending the University of Texas Dallas for visual and performing arts with a focus on film.
Bronson James O'Connor Burlson.
Bronson is looking to pursue a major in computers and a minor in theatrical arts.
Cameron Elizabeth Buza.
Cameron will be majoring in mechanical engineering in the Ogden Honors College
for mechanical engineering at Louisiana State University and will then pursue law school for a career in patent law.
Angel Bustos.
Angel will continue his studies at ACC in the area of writing.
LaSophia Cantu.
Myla will be attending the University of Texas San Antonio
majoring in cybersecurity.
Magnus Edmund Chidister.
Magnus will attend Brigham Young University, Idaho,
this fall, majoring in chemistry.
He is grateful for the opportunities ECHS has provided
and hopes that future graduating classes will have even more doors open to them.
Selena, Ani, Kainani, Waimi, Chalk.
Selena will attend Indiana University Bloomington next year
and major in Human Resource Management.
She would like to thank her parents, dogs and friends for their support to the past four years.
William Joseph Daniels.
William would like to thank everyone who has helped him throughout his high school.
He will be advancing his education
to achieve long-term academic and career goals.
Addison Leila Renee Davis-Mini.
Addison will be attending Texas State University
along with her sisters and close friends.
She will be pursuing a career in forensic psychology
and wants to thank her family for being overwhelmingly supportive.
Owen Michael Fields.
Owen will be pursuing a degree in chemical engineering
and a career as a process chemist.
Evan Finch.
Evan wants to thank his mom and dad for being supportive
and always being there for him when he needed them the most.
He will be taking a gap year.
Rebecca Lynn Gephardt.
Rebecca will be pursuing a degree
in elementary education at Tarleton State University.
She's deeply grateful to Senora Lucero,
Mr. Clint Scales, David, her friends,
especially Rachel Saraneumi and her family for their unwavering support, love and guidance.
Nydia Sophia Goodrow.
Sophia will be pursuing dance professionally while attending Texas State Online for a degree in education.
Shanee Rachel Greenberg.
Shanee is passionate about her Jewish faith and her connection to Israel.
Well, next year she will attend Sharfman's, a religious seminary in Jerusalem, and hopes
to pursue a career working with Jewish youth.
Shani is incredibly grateful to God for placing her in such an incredible family and hopes
to lead a life that makes them proud.
She's also thankful for all her mentors, religious teachers, and counselor, Dr. Logier,
for all their support, advice, and love.
Riley Medrine Grigorsak Riley will attend Texas State next year
and major in marketing, she would like to thank her mom, dad and little sister for always
sticking with her through this journey no matter what.
Devon Jeffrey Harris Devon will be going on to get his bachelor's
and applied technologies to then pursue a career in the Coast Guard.
Mosiah Stephen Hill Mosiah is grateful for all the experiences
he's had to learn from and will be serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus
the Scribes of Latter-day Saints.
Jack Stone-Hillard. Jack will be taking a gap year. He would
like to thank his friends for many good memories.
Marina Veronica Icaro.
Marina would like to
thank the ECHS community, her friends and loved ones for believing in her when she couldn't
believe in herself. She hopes to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist helping
helping children build confidence and mentoring others along the way.
Caitlin Elizabeth Illig.
Caitlin will attend Texas A&M at College Station in the fall where she will be studying astrophysics.
She would like to thank her parents for their endless support.
Rayan Umar Javaid.
Rayan will be attending ACC where he plans to pursue his passion in cybersecurity.
He wants to thank all the teachers and peers who have helped him guide, who have helped guide him along the way.
This is not the end of a journey, rather it is the start.
Arsalan Ahmad Khan.
Arsalan will be attending Houston Christian University in major in engineering.
He wants to thank his mom for pushing him to be the best man he can be, always supporting him and loving him no matter what.
Holden Christopher Kunkel.
Holden will attend Texas State next year and major in computer science.
Colton Klein.
Colton will be pursuing a degree in sports management at the University of North Texas.
Samantha Caridad-Machin-Rondon.
Sam is looking forward to going to Texas State and majoring in social work
and is grateful for her family and friends and teachers who've helped shape her.
She gives special thanks to their past advisory teacher Mr. Spillers and the friends and advisory for always helping out.
Vivian Martinez.
Vivian will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio next year and major in criminal psychology.
Forrest Sage McGeehan.
Forrest will attend the University of North Texas next year and major in accounting.
Aiden, James, Presley, McVeigh,
Aiden will attend Texas State University next year in
major in political science,
Rhys Dura-Jay-Malice, Rhys will attend Texas A&M College Station
and major in chemistry on the pre-med track,
Felicity Mesa,
Felicity will attend Princeton
University this fall and will be studying astrophysics.
She likes to thank her parents for being there every step of the way.
Sammy, Amir, Mary.
Sammy balanced his academic success with leadership, mentorship, and technical excellence.
He had many passion projects, but his proudest was his AI program that he presented to Google
and an online education course that generated $500,000 in revenue.
Sammy will attend the ACC Samsung Engineering Academy with Texas A&M and major in computer engineering.
Veronica Gale Mock.
Veronica is attending Fisher College next year with a major in criminal justice and would like to thank friends and family for being there for her.
Unita Mutambilike.
Unita will be pursuing a career in medicine and wants to thank her family for their patience and support.
Yossaira Mohammed.
Yossaira would like to thank her family.
Naomi Nathan.
Naomi will be
attending the University of Arkansas in the fall, majoring in political science. She
would like to thank all her friends and family for all of their support over the
last four years.
Victor Nkemka.
Victor would like to thank his family.
Diego
Roberto Ochoa Ramos.
Diego will be pursuing a career in medicine at Southwestern
University.
Jasmine Elizabeth Paria Navarro.
Jasmine will attend Texas State
University and major in communication design. She would like to thank her mom
and dad for all their support.
Charmi Patel.
Charmi wants to thank her family
for giving her the opportunity for a better education and to thank everyone
else for helping her graduate with a joyful high school experience.
Elena
Ren Patterson.
Ren will attend Texas A&M San Antonio and major in computer
science in the fall while continuing to accept commissions for making and
selling candles and essential oil rollers while in college.
Evan Ramundo
Peña Decano.
Evan will be pursuing a career in civil engineering.
Carmen
Perez Aquino.
Carmen will be majoring in biology with a concentration in
pre-med at the University of Texas at San Antonio in hopes of becoming an
OBGYN. She would like to thank all her family and friends for getting her through these last
four years, especially her mom. Gracias, mami, por todo lo que hace hecho por mi, en mi vida. Te amo muchísimo.
Paul Pumpey Potts.
Paul wants to thank his mother for always believing him and all the
sacrifice she made for him.
Elijah J. Charles Preston.
Elijah wants to thank Senora
Lacerro for unconditional help and support.
Logan Pruitt.
Logan will be
attending Austin Community College to become a registered nurse.
Merrick
Pryor.
Merrick will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio next year and
major in kinesiology. He thanks his family for their love and support.
Williams, sorry, sorry, Christopher William Richter.
Chris wants to thank everyone who supported him throughout his time at early college.
He and his spine are holding strong and full of hope for the future.
Julia Robles.
Julia would be attending, Julia would be pursuing a career in video game design
and wants to thank her family for always being there and supporting her.
Sterling, Josea, Flair, Rodriguez.
Sterling wants to thank his mama, his family, and his friends for getting him through high school.
Barca, Ruparel.
Barca deferred her acceptance to NYU, Shanghai to spend the next year working overseas in absentia.
Lauren, Rut.
Lauren
Lescrochet, and she will attend the University of Texas at Arlington next year
and major in computer engineering.
Barat Sachdeva.
Barat will be attending Texas A&M University at College Station and study mathematics.
Manor Selene.
Manor will attend Texas State University and major in respiratory care.
She wants to thank her family for all their support along the way.
Annette Sanjuan Cepeda.
Anita wants to thank her family, classmates, underclassmen, staff, and most importantly
her faith in Christ.
Her favorite things about high school have been spreading Christ and impacting others
in their faith.
She will attend Highlands College in Alabama next year and major in pastoral ministry.
Joaquin Josiah Sanchez
Joaquin wants to thank his mom and dad for everything they've
done for him.
Trevian Dorotoro Sandoval
Trevian wants to thank his parents,
parents, brothers, cousins, and uncles Jose and Goyo, and especially his aunt Licha.
Noah James Silke.
Noah plans to work full time over the summer while working on his 3D modeling skills.
Flor Silvestre Vincis.
Flor loves flowers and is hoping to begin a small floral business.
She enjoyed coming to school, learning, making memories.
Flor wants to thank all her teachers for their support and most importantly Mrs. Holmes
for being there with her throughout her four years.
She is forever grateful for her.
Floor will be attending Austin Community College next year
to major in health science and pursue a career in sonography
as an ultrasound technician.
Hashem Rakan Smadi.
Hashem wants to thank his friends and family.
He is extremely grateful for them all.
He has enjoyed his time at early college,
and we will be pursuing a career in mechanical engineering
at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Billy Ray Sweeney.
Billy will be attending the University of Texas
is at Tyler and majoring in computer science.
Stacy Tang.
Stacy will be pursuing a career in finance
at the University of Houston and would
like to thank her family for supporting her journey.
Rachel Catherine Tarleton.
Rachel will be pursuing a degree in kinesiology
at Tarleton State University.
Steven Xander Bustillo Tonalete.
Steven is thankful for the experiences and opportunities
that helped shape him.
Sarah Tran.
Sora
would like to thank her mom and dad for their unconditional love and support throughout her journey at early college and is excited for a new chapter of her life at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Luis Villanueva.
Luis will attend the University of Michigan and major in biology, health and society with a minor in business on the pre-med track.
He has also received a full ride scholarship to the University of Michigan.
He
would like to thank his family for their support throughout his four years of high school.
Navi Wernicke.
Navi is looking forward to a career in video game development.
Samira Nicole Wiggins.
Samira is planning to further her education by pursuing a bachelor's in animal science
and committing herself to the Air Force.
Raveon Janay Williams.
Raveon will be attending Morgan State University and majoring in architecture.
Janice Woods.
Janice wants to thank all of the people who have been supported from day one.
Armando Alex Zuniga.
Alex wants to thank everyone who believes in him. Congratulations graduates.
Allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations to our graduates and their families.
so uh join me please let's give it up for the class of 2025 all
right I
would like
to ask our class of 2025 to remain standing to symbolize that you are no
longer high school students but are now graduates of early college high school
please move your tassels from the right to the left
graduates please turn
and face the audience so they can celebrate you.
Graduates, you may be seated.
Closing remarks will be made by our student council treasurer,
Luis Villanueva.
Please welcome Luis Tenebodia.
This is it. Four years of memories, challenges, and growth all led up to this three to four minute speech.
Today isn't just the end of high school, but rather a closing chapter of a journey we've all shared together.
If I'm being honest, many of us are feeling mixed emotions. Some of us are worried about what the future holds for us.
Some of us are excited about the adventures that await us, whether we pursue in a bachelor's degree or entering the workforce.
for us. Others probably wish graduation would have come sooner. But no matter where we're
headed to in the future or how we're feeling, one thing is true for all of us. We all got
here because we carried perseverance with us. Each one of us sitting in this room has
had a difficult moment throughout their high school career. Yet we all persevered to
be where we are today. Whether it's staying up late to work on our general chemistry
homework or simply doing a TRF and AVID at the last minute, we still managed to
pulled through.
Academics aside, many of us have also persevered
in deeply personal ways.
In my journey, that meant navigating the loss of my father
from cancer during my sophomore year of high school.
He always pushed me to excel
and reminded me to keep going.
I still remember when he would tell me,
echa le ganas Luis, or you got this to me
when I struggled in school.
Losing him felt like my world had shattered.
A part of me was missing.
And I didn't know how to move forward without him.
At times, I was working towards my associate
of science degree often studying for exams while sitting beside him in the hospital studying
overnight just to be near him in case it was the last time I'd ever see him. It wasn't just me that
his death took a toll on but also on the rest of my family including my mom that I see right there.
I was just I saw just how hard she worked to make ends meet and to pay for medical bills.
I saw the sacrifices she made and yet in every difficult moment she kept on a positive
smile. At school, my counselor, Mrs. Holmes, supported me throughout my grieving process
and made me feel loved, supported and valued. I have a vivid memory of Mr. Kubechec who told
me he knew just how difficult it was to lose someone so close to you. I never felt that
close to a teacher before and I knew that he would support me in whatever I did at school.
Just like Mrs. Holmes, he was a mentor to me, not in a traditional academic sense,
but as someone who reminded me that even in the most challenging moments, I wasn't alone.
And in reflecting on everything, I've come to understand that my story is one of many.
So many of us, especially first generation students, have faced silent battles and still
found the strength to keep going.
To all the first generation students in the crowd, you are not here by accident.
You don't need to prove your worth to anyone.
Your presence, your perseverance, and your story are already proof enough.
You've already broken barriers just by being here and I have no doubt you keep
doing it in the future. Before I close I want to share a message in Spanish for
my family and for my and for everyone in the crowd who understands the weight of
sacrifice, love, and perseverance.
And I'm proud of my mother who supported my family with her strength and dedication.
Especially when my father passed away.
I also thank all of my family that are still in Mexico,
who despite the distance, are always opening up for me love and unconditional support.
And I know that my grandfather is watching me and guiding me from the sky.
I'm finally proud to be a new one.
Now, I share this brief story not for pity, but to remind us of some of the things we persevere through as a class.
I am sure everyone in the crowd has had a similar story, or at least one where they had a difficult moment in their high school career.
But here we are at graduation, and in just a couple of minutes, we will be high school graduates.
It's incredible the amount of progress the class of 2025 has made, and I know we're leaving a lasting legacy at this school.
I want every senior to know that I am proud of you, and I know whatever you choose to do in the future, you will succeed.
Keep spreading love to those around you, but never forget that you deserve your own, too.
Before I end my speech, I just have one thing to say.
Seniors, for spending all four years at ECHS and making it to graduation on time, can I get a one, two, three?
Yeah!
Perfect.
Beautiful. Thank you, Louise. Thank you so much.
Parents, guests, and friends, we appreciate you being with us today in this celebration.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, we will process out the stage to my left, as well
as the students, and you may meet up with your graduates on the main floor lobby in
a few moments.
Once again, please join me in celebrating our early college high school class of 2025
graduates.
Wits,
thank you and congratulations.