Around 550 high school seniors became alumni Thursday [May 29] at the Wright-Tree football stadium, surrounded by their teachers and thousands of family and friends.
Wasatch High School principal Ryan Bishop said he was proud of every student who crossed the stage.
“These graduates are leaders, scholars, performers, athletes, artists, and most importantly, true to themselves,” he said. “They care for one another and are ready for the next phase of their lives.”
School board president Kim Dickerson praised the graduates for their perseverance. She also honored one student with a scholarship, recognizing Mari Carmen Flores Ponce for her dedication to her education despite facing obstacles.
“Mari has found a way to stay engaged with her education, participate in extracurricular activities, give community service, work a part-time job, and be a loving big sister and supportive daughter to her mother,” she said. “Mari, we are so proud of you for finding strength to persevere.”
Once every student received their diploma, they processed out past their applauding teachers.
Afterwards, the mood in the crowd was jubilant as friends hugged and families snapped photos.
Friends Cru Carman and Milo Jolley said they’re thrilled to graduate. Jolley said the best part of the evening was celebrating it with his lifelong friend.
“Graduating with this guy, because we grew up in Vegas together and went to kindergarten together in Las Vegas, and we both moved up here at different times and are graduating,” he said.
Many students wore carefully crafted flower arrangements along with their caps and gowns, including McKenna Olney, who donned an elaborate flower crown and sported lei around her neck.
“My family made all of them, and then some are gifts,” she said. “My mom's from Hawaii, so it's kind of cultural for us.”
She said she’ll treasure memories from her four years playing varsity softball, as well as going to football games with friends.
And Baylen Huntsman said he’s excited to celebrate the achievements of his class before college in the fall.
“Today’s a day of celebration,” he said. “I can't wait to go party with my friends, and then afterwards [are] the next steps of my life. This totally isn't the end – it's just a new beginning.”
Wasatch High School’s class of 2025 included 42 valedictorians who earned a 4.0 grade point average and 120 students who achieved fluency in another language.
The evening also marked Superintendent Paul Sweat’s final graduation ceremony after 34 years in the district.
“I’ve been coming to graduations for almost 30 years in one capacity or another, so it is bittersweet,” he said. “Going to miss it for sure. This has been a big, big part of my life.”
In addition to the Wasatch High School graduating class, the Wasatch Alternative High School celebrated 75 graduates at a ceremony May 23.
The county will celebrate one more graduation with a single high school class before Deer Creek High School opens in fall 2026.
