The Buck Shaffer Theater at the Porterville Memorial Auditorium was filled with hundreds of loved ones Tuesday night, all celebrating their family members' graduation from Butterfield Charter High School.
About 250 Butterfield graduates filled the stage at the auditorium ready to conclude this stage of their lives. Before entering the auditorium, you could see the graduates' faces light up when they saw their families waiting to be seated inside. Waves, hugs, and kisses were exchanged between many families and graduates.
Once the doors opened, families and friends rushed to find the perfect seats to watch their family member receive their diploma. The night started with Jessica Facio, Director of Butterfield Charter High School welcoming all to the graduation ceremony.
After Facio welcomed friends and families, the doors opened and the 2025 class started to walk down the aisles. Led by Maria Torres Ramos, the 2025 Butterfield graduating class walked down with huge smiles on their faces, some even tearful when hearing their families cheer for them.
Once the graduates got to their seats, everyone in the building remained standing for the introduction of the posting of colors, presented by the Porterville Military Academy Color Guard. Everyone remained standing for the pledge of allegiance led by student Mckenna Dawn Gauley, shortly followed by the playing of the National Anthem.
After the playing of the National Anthem, everyone in attendance sat in their seats to get ready for the first student speaker. Tyler Sage Skiles gave her graduation speech in English. “I’m proud to stand before you representing the Class of 2025,”,started Skiles. “Each of us took a different road to get here, mine was shaped by agriculture, my family, and living with a rare disease called Fabry.”.
Skiles then went to talk about her life growing up in agriculture, how it taught her the value of hard work. She explained how during her junior year, she made the tough decision to leave Porterville High School and transfer to Butterfield. “At first, it felt like I was leaving something behind, but it turned out to be the best choice I could’ve made,” stated Skiles.
Skiles shared how Butterfield gave her the space to care for her health and keep learning in a way that worked for her. She ended her speech by thanking her family for always lifting her up and supporting her. She also gave a shout out to teacher Stan Dillon and counselor Hannah Camper at Butterfield. Lastly, she acknowledged her Fabry, stating it taught her strength and resilience.
The next student speaker was Solangy Guadalupe Arellano Vargas, who gave a meaningful speech in Spanish. Vargas started by introducing herself and sharing how she also started in a traditional school but shortly after transferred to Butterfield.
Vargas then explained how at Butterfield, she found more than a school. She found balance, discovery, and the certainty her opportunities would have no limits.
She then stated how she was able to maintain her academic approach, without ceasing to tend to the most valuable thing in her life, her family. When talking about her family, Vargas started to tear up which made sure those in attendance didn’t leave with a dry eye.
At the end of her speech, Vargas gave a special shout out to her teacher Mariko Williams for her constant support and patience, and always being there when Vargas needed her. Also she thanked her parents for being by her side. “And now that I am a mother, I understand just how much you love me,” stated Vargas.
After Vargas’ speech, it was finally time for the graduating class to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. One by one students names were called as they went to shake the hands of Porterville Unified School District board members Felipe A. Martinez, Pedro Martinez and administarators Martha Stuemky, and Nate Nelson. Huge smiles were seen as the students walked across the stage. Families' cheers ignited the auditorium.
After each student received their diploma, everyone met outside to embrace their loved ones and take pictures, celebrating a chapter closed.