MATTAWA — Standing in a packed hallway following the ceremony, new Wahluke High School graduate Juanairis Lopez said graduation was both exciting and disconcerting. 

“It feels awesome,” he said. “But it went by too fast, that’s for sure.” 

Wahluke Principal Cody Marlow also talked about passing time in his address to the Class of 2025. 

“These last 13 years, they’ve flown by. Like I told you a few weeks ago, everything after tonight is going to go even faster,” Marlow said. 

Valedictorian and class president Jose Lagunas said he hoped his classmates had made some good memories during their time in school. 

“I’m sure today is a day we’ve all looked forward to as we’ll be done with school, even though some of us are going back to it in three months,” he said. “However, I want to congratulate everyone in this room for graduating, as I’m sure it was no easy task doing so.” 

It's a tradition at Wahluke that the seniors pick a guest speaker, and for social studies teacher Cole Collier, time had gone by much faster than he anticipated it would. 

Collier said his first year of teaching was the year the class of 2025 entered high school 

“To think that I was only an insecure 22-year-old figuring out lesson plans. Watching you graduate is something I will forever cherish,” Collier said. “The class of 2025 are some of the most funny, kind and humble people I’ve ever met.”  

Senior Alfredo Heredia said graduation was an exciting feeling, and Oscar Martinez agreed, adding that it gave him a sense of accomplishment. Evelin Dominguez said the excitement was mixed with the realization that a lot of new experiences are coming. 

“I’m very happy. It’s a new chapter,” she said. “And (there is) nervousness what the future holds.” 

So many family members and friends came to the graduation that they overflowed the available seating in the WHS gym. That’s one of the traditions at Wahluke; another is the rose ceremony.  

The graduates present roses to some of the people who supported them during their school days, and both recipients and students shed some tears as the seniors fanned out through the crowd.  

Salutatorian Stephany Elias also shed a few tears while paying tribute to her mom and dad and thanking the teachers, coaches and other adults who supported the seniors during their school years. For Elias, that included the district’s track and cross country coaches. 

“Your coaching has pushed me past my limits,” she said. “Thank you to all of my coaches who gave me the confidence to push myself when I believed there was no more to give.” 

Class advisor Mayra Rodriguez expressed gratitude to the Class of 2025 for the support they had given her through the changes in her life. 

“I can’t wait to see all the things you will accomplish in life,” she said. 

    A senior shakes hands with Wahluke School Board Chair Luke Jenne prior to receiving her diploma.
  

    Seniors head to their seats before a packed house of family and friends at Wahluke graduation.
  

    A Wahluke graduate got so many gifts his graduation attire required some adjustment.
  

    A smiling Wahluke graduate receives his diploma.
  

    Wahluke seniors graduated before a packed house.
  

    A Wahluke senior made sure everybody knew she was busy June 6.
  

    A soon-to-be Wahluke graduate awaits his turn to walk across the stage.