St. Vrain Valley schools send seniors off with well wishes at graduation ceremonies
Seniors across the St. Vrain Valley School District tossed their caps to the sky and looked toward the future at commencement ceremonies this weekend.
On Saturday, the district celebrated its graduates with ceremonies at Longmont, Silver Creek, Skyline, Niwot, Lyons, Mead, Erie and Frederick high schools.
The district graduated about 2,300 seniors this year, including 519 who finished with a 4.0 GPA or higher. Around 200 seniors were on track to earn a Seal of Biliteracy, which demonstrates proficiency in English and another language, by graduation this year.
At Skyline High in Longmont, the school's athletic field area hosted the ceremony for the class, which included roughly 250 graduates. Family members and loved ones cheered them on from the sidelines while Skyline Principal Anthony Barela addressed the students.
Skyline graduates walk over to the field on graduation day Saturday. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
'You are capable, prepared and needed in this world,' Barela told the graduates. 'Pursue your goals boldly. Live with purpose, and never stop learning.'
Barela congratulated the Skyline class of 2025 for securing over $2.1 million in scholarships.
'You leave behind a legacy of excellence, and I am beyond proud of each and every one of you,' he said.
Skyline students were recognized for their involvement in school activities such as the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, and the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program. Assistant Principal Greg Stephens also asked a few graduates to stand and be recognized for enlisting or intending to enlist in the U.S. military.
'Thank you for your commitment and your service,' Stephens told them.
In Lyons, a few dozen graduates experienced an intimate ceremony with Lyons Middle Senior High School staff. Each graduate was praised by a faculty member for the unique skills and qualities they brought to the school.
The Lyons Lions class of 2025 celebrated graduation at John Johnson Field on Saturday. (Courtesy of Caroline Chutkow / St. Vrain Valley Schools)
With the Lyons foothills behind them, the graduates listened as their peers advised them on how to make the most of their futures.
'I firmly believe that every person holds within them millions of passions, and they simply haven't yet discovered them,' student speaker Scarlett Voss said. 'By trying new things and traveling to unfamiliar places, we open our eyes to an entirely new world.'
Graduating student Matthew Carter talked about the literal and metaphorical mountains, or challenges, he conquered during his time at Lyons High.
'Life always gives me mountains,' Carter said. 'Whatever you do, just put on your boots and start hiking.'
Wyatt Saunders, Lyons High valediction, told his classmates they were able to overcome the hardships of high school — from wildfire to calculus tests — together.
'Because of these challenges, this moment is a testament to our commitment to success,' Saunders said Saturday. 'The challenges we have faced have shaped us, but it is our future that will define us.'
CLASS OF 2025 VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS
ErieJenna Noble and Avery Spinner, valedictorians; Cloe Pereira, salutatorian
FrederickRyan Brown, valedictorian; Sage Mares, salutatorian
LaunchED Virtual AcademyDanica Moen, valedictorian; Wynson Easley, salutatorian
LongmontJacoby Barber, valedictorian; Anya Wieder, salutatorian
LyonsWyatt Saunders, valedictorian; Hadley Larson, salutatorian
MeadReese Ormsby, valedictorian; Elena Freed, salutatorian
NiwotBenjamin Gabrielson, valedictorian; Mohi Bauer, salutatorian
Silver CreekBrooklyn Baum, valedictorian; Lorielle Vincent, salutatorian
SkylineNatalie Shaeffer, valedictorian; Eleanor Legg, salutatorian
St. Vrain VirtualAidan Dodge, valedictorian; Luca Fowler, salutatorian
New MeridianPatricia Melanson, valedictorian; Jonathan Fisenko and Wylie Leigh, salutatorians
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