KING CITY — More than 200 seniors celebrated the end of their academic journey at King City High School last Saturday, before a packed audience at War Memorial Stadium.
The June 7 graduation ceremony opened with a presentation of the flags by the KCHS Military Science color guard, along with a string performance of the national anthem by Stephanie Barron-Alcala.
Principal Michael Gray reflected on the time he spent with the class since their journey began in 2021.
“Class of 2025, I believe in you,” Gray said. “I have since Aug. 9, 2021. Now you need to believe in yourself.” He added, “You cultivated a positive atmosphere on campus. … I am sad to see our four-year journey end, but am super excited to see what awaits your future.”
Gray shared a Tom Brady quote with the class, “To be successful at anything, the truth is you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren’t: consistent, determined and willing to work for it.”
“I predict nothing but success,” he said of the graduates and their futures. “I want you to know that success is not based on what other people think of you or say about you. You determine your own success.”
Gray reiterated that the graduates have the responsibility and ability to shape their own futures.
“Your stories are just beginning to be written, and you are your own author,” he said. “You have the power to change your story and to change your life. … Learn from your experience and believe in yourself.”
The senior class welcome was delivered by Hayden Munoz, who first acknowledged family members, teachers, friends and mentors. She thanked them for their guidance.
“The last four years, each of you have accomplished amazing things,” Munoz said.
She asked graduates to stand up to recognize their achievements, beginning with the soccer teams, then the Future Farmers of America, then throughout the sports, band involvement and scholars, until the entire Class of 2025 was standing.
“No matter where we go next, we will always be Mustangs,” Munoz said. “The spirit and memories of King City High School will stay with us forever.”
Associated Student Body Class President Jocelyn Romero reflected on her own personal journey as a student officer and how it made her a better person, before she addressed the future of her classmates.
“We faced challenges, supported one another, and left our mark,” Romero said. “Whether you were leading, cheering or just doing your best to get through, you helped make this year unforgettable. Moving forward, I hope you all stay involved, stay passionate, and keep making a difference.”
This year’s ceremony had speeches by three distinguished scholars, since the valedictorian title was a tie shared by two students. Salutatorian Andres Ramirez commented on that as he opened his speech.
“I knew that I did well, but not well enough that I’d have to write a speech,” Ramirez said. “But then valedictorian became a tie, and I became salutatorian. That meant one more student speech.”
He thanked his supporters, including his mother and father, and all those who supported his classmates as much as his family did himself.
“Without you, I don’t know if I’d have made it this far,” Ramirez said. “What I do know, is that if we had, it would have been much harder than it already was.”
Ramirez recounted some of the challenges faced by the graduates, from calculus exams to group projects.
“I think about these moments, because they show how we struggled together and how we will continue to struggle in the communities we become a part of after high school,” he said. “Each of us will have new challenges and responsibilities to face. … No matter where we find ourselves, I believe we will celebrate many more accomplishments in the way we do today.”
The speeches shifted from weighty to comedic as Co-Valedictorian Samuel Hearne took the stage, saying hello with a huge smile and introducing his title as proof that he was one of the class nerds.
“I don’t have some wise old wisdom to share, I just want to talk and reflect on the year and future,” Hearne said. “There is no way you’re not going to miss this, seeing my beautiful face.”
Hearne looked ahead, to the new life challenges of jobs and bills.
“The years will fly by all too fast and that’s something we all realize here today,” he said. “We are all young and barely starting life, but these 18 years are supposed to be the longest and they’re already gone.”
Hearne shared that if everyone lived to be 90 years old, that 1/5 of their lives was already over.
“I want you to realize how life is short, too short to not enjoy what you’re doing,” Hearne said. “You have freedom and if you have the will, then you can do anything.”
He continued to mix comedy and optimism as he looked ahead.
“Our future is bright, brighter than Mr. Munoz’s shiny, glowing, bald head on a beautiful summer day,” Hearne said. He closed by saying, “I guess that’s it and I’ll see you all at the class reunion.”
Co-Valedictorian Hayden Munoz also opened with a joke, commenting on the elevated height Hearne had placed the microphone. She then reflected on academics back to the first day of kindergarten.
“My mom would always tell me it goes by so fast as she cheerfully took a photo for her Facebook page,” Munoz said. “As I stand before you today, I can’t help but internalize her words.”
Being a teacher’s daughter, Munoz joked about how she went from the Covid-19 era of studying at home under the supervision of her parents, to going to high school and studying under the supervision of her parents.
“Our adjustment is a testament to the resiliency of our class,” Munoz said. “This resiliency was invaluable to us over the next four years.” She added, “Life can seem fast and overwhelming, but we can find joy among our friends.”
