Under the bright lights of Chiawana High School's auditorium, a wave of excitement and nostalgia filled the air as graduates gathered to celebrate their achievements. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as students, families, and faculty came together for the 2025 graduation ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the lives of the Riverhawks.

Valadorena Matthews, one of the graduates, took to the stage first, sharing a heartfelt message about the importance of perseverance. Drawing inspiration from basketball legend Michael Jordan, she reflected on her own struggles in AP courses, emphasizing how failures can lead to success. "Lessons were just as important to my successes," she noted, encouraging her peers to embrace their journeys and the support they received along the way. Matthews, who plans to attend the University of Utah for a degree in pre-pharmacy, concluded her speech with a motivational quote from Dr. Seuss, urging her classmates to pursue their dreams.

Following Matthews, valedictorian Taylor Mills captivated the audience with a poignant reflection on the past four years. "From school sports games to new friendships made in the classroom, a sense of community has been felt," she said, acknowledging the vital role of parents and teachers in their collective journey. Mills, who will continue her education at Central Washington University to study biology and play soccer, encouraged her classmates to embrace change and growth, urging them not to remain stagnant as they move forward into adulthood.

The final valedictorian, Ashley Sanda, shared a personal lesson from her father, using a metaphor about the weight of a pencil versus a bucket of cherries. "If I wanted to avoid a future spent picking cherries, I needed to take charge," she explained, inspiring her peers to carve out their own paths. Sanda will attend the University of Washington to pursue a pre-med track, embodying the aspirations of her graduating class.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the graduates stood united, ready to embark on their next adventures. With dreams in their hearts and a sense of community behind them, the Riverhawks are poised to make their mark on the world, carrying with them the lessons learned and the memories made during their time at Chiawana High School.