17-05-2025
'It feels surreal': Dimond High celebrates the Class of 2025
May 16—The roar of cheers from parents and family members filled the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday as 301 seniors from Dimond High School flooded in for their graduation ceremony.
The cheers continued later as each graduate's name was called, marking the completion of their high school career. The joy was visible as parents cheered on their children and grandparents took pictures of their graduates walking across the stage with their diplomas.
Karen Warfield, grandmother of graduate Trenton Simmons, smiled and laughed, saying she was happy, excited and proud of Simmons for getting through high school.
"It feels surreal," said graduate Sienna Pederson.
The 58th commencement for Dimond High was one of the 19 graduations that are occurring in the Anchorage School District in May. Approximately 3,000 students are graduating from the Anchorage School District this year, according to a district spokesman.
Dimond graduate Raelyn Rexford crossed the stage dressed in a kuspuk made by her grandmother in Dimond High's signature school color, maroon.
"It means a lot to me ... having the opportunity to show off my culture," said Rexford.
First-year principal Whitney D'Atri's message to students and the audience was to remember to "Stay Golden," one of Dimond's core values, as they progress through their lives.
Staying golden was a theme echoed in honors speaker Josiah James' speech.
"Some of us won a football state championship," said James, lifting his hand to show the crowd his sparkly championship ring. The Dimond Lynx football team won its first state championship in 23 years last fall.
Graduates streamed out of the center, the sun illuminating the celebration waiting for them in the parking lot. Some family members stood with confetti poppers ready to douse their graduate in paper confetti. One family set up a photo booth for their graduate, equipped with a printed-out banner and music that flowed through the crowd. Families piled leis upon leis over their graduates' heads.
"I'm not done yet," said one family member as she continued to heap leis onto a graduate's shoulders.
One graduate, James Luaao, could barely see through the mountain of leis that went from his shoulders up to well past his ears. Topping off his ensemble was a unicorn floaty, sitting on his head like a crown.
"This is only 1% of the leis," said Luaao. Reflecting on his graduation, Luaao said that "it's an accomplishment in life ... it's just a stepping stone to where I want to be." He hopes to play college football and "stay successful."
Unicorn floaty crowns weren't the only thing on top of graduates' heads after the ceremony. Many graduates wore mortarboard caps that their relatives had beaded for them to show their culture.
"It's a big statement, especially for Native people, how far we've come," graduate Talia Veldstra said in reference to her regalia. Veldstra donned a mortarboard cap decorated with beading and fur, which was sewed on by her aunt and grandmother.
"It should really be celebrated. Graduation is a big deal, especially for Native people, especially in Alaska," said Veldstra.
