Monache High School 2025 senior class graduates were nervous and joyous as they walked onto the Rankin Stadium track looking for family and friends in the crowd as horns were tooted, noisemakers rattled, as Pomp and Circumstance played.
Monache Principal Shondra Walker announced the Presentation of the Colors by the Porterville Military Academy Cadet Corps, while everyone put hands over hearts as the Monache Chamber Choir and Choir seniors sang "The Star Spangled Banner."
She welcomed everyone to the Monache High School 2025 Commencement Ceremony, introducing Porterville Unified School District Board President Lilian Durbin, board members Felipe Martinez and Rudy Ruiz, PUSD Superintendent Dr. Nate Nelson, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Martha Stuemky, assistant superintendent of business Dr. Brad Rohrbach, Retired PUSD Superintendent John Snavely and his wife, Kay.
“Tonight we celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2025,” Walker said. “We honor the support of their families and friends who walked alongside them every step of the way. We also recognize the Monache faculty and staff, and teachers.
“Class of 2025 this ceremony is the celebration of every early morning, every late night, having a challenge you’ve faced. You've grown in ways that transcripts could never capture. You learned to speak up in band, and to stand strong in the face of adversity. There were recent playoff games and Valley championships.
“We did it all, while balancing deadlines, part time work, and extra curriculars. This marks the turning point, not just in your education, but inner life. Ahead is a wide open road filled with opportunity, uncertainty, and promise. You won't always know the answers, you'll make mistakes, wrong turns, for that's how the best story unfolds. What matters most is that you keep showing up with integrity, courage, and when the heart leads keep going. I hope you know how proud we all are of you.
Senior Class President Olivia Bareng gave the welcome address for Class of 2025.
All 11 Monache valedictorians: Marlene Nunez, Ariel Bermudez, Jaydin Sabol, Nicholas Garcia, Karen Alvarez Villacana, Cky Wells, Asher Lucero, Emily Fought, Libby Sanders, Evelyn Sanchez Reynosa, and Logan Hildreth welcomed the crowd and thanked their families, parents, siblings, and friends, and teachers for supporting and shaping them through the four years of high school, saying they wouldn’t be there without them. They also thanked them for supporting the graduates. And congratulated them.
Nunez spoke of the high school years flying by, and then graduating. She spoke of the drive mentality. The other valedictorians spoke about passion, determination, persistence, resilience, motivation, collaboration, never giving up on goals, and overcoming obstacles; and drive, passion, determination, persistence, ambition will help graduates flourish and excel in their future lives. Heading to college, the work force, or a gap year, drive, determination and persistence will take them far.
Bermudez spoke about counting down the day until graduation. How friends became like family. How they lived high school in their own way, different sports, different clubs, different friend groups. How they kept on, how they wanted to grow and prove to themselves they could.
Sabol greeted graduates, their families and spoke about the diverse and interconnected student body, and how they have accomplished so much. Each graduate worked hard, and fought to accomplish goals. “Class of 2025 it has been a pleasure to be a part of the class, as our success is definite, and our passion and drive is endless.”
‘It's a relief to be here,” said Garcia. “The end of a challenging high school career. It’s time to relax and reflect.” He spoke of learning valuable skills outside of class; accountability, commitment, and responsibility, which were for him difficult to learn. He asked about the reasons seniors wanted to graduate, saying, “personally, my family is the reason I tried so hard to get up on this podium. I thank them, especially my mom, who pushed me to make all the effort I could. Whatever your reason may be, all the reasons all matter to you, and give you the strength to push through even the hardest of days. So, stay true to whatever reason you have to succeed.”
Villicana spoke about the drive and persistence through long nights of studying, packed schedules, and balancing sports, clubs and jobs. “And it’s what makes us unstoppable.”
Wells reflected on sports that mean so much, celebrated victories like college acceptance and supporting each other through challenges. “Each experience shaped the class of 25 individually and collectively.
“They have a unique blend of ambition, resilience and compatibility. Navigating unprecedented times, adapting to change and emerging together, stronger and more determined. They created a spirit of collaboration, drive, and a passion to be the best.”
Lucero spoke about being driven by adversity. She recognized the resilience, compassion, and determination the seniors of 2025 are capable of when they put their minds to it.
“Our paths will lead in many different directions. Being a part of the class of 2025 has been a blessing. As I meet your eyes in the crowd, I envision your bright futures and am truly excited to see where our drive takes us.”
Fought said “We all have big dreams to do something and to be someone in this world. Because we are all unique, that motivation came from anywhere, anyone, and anything. Our family, friends, and teachers. Our classes, clubs, and hobbies. Keep using your determination with everything you do and wherever you go.”
Sanders said at Monache High School students learned drive is more than motivation. It’s a quiet determination pushing them through long nights studying, early morning practices, packed schedules full of band rehearsals, ASB events, AP tests, and more. Ambition kept them going “not just for ourselves, but for the community. If we continue to work with a purpose and move forward, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
“Congratulations Marauders.”
Reynoso said high school was different things to each student, a playing field to take on, or a treacherous journey barely survived. “The MHS class of 2025 has limitless passion: in the Choir practicing solos, the FFA feeding their livestock, the ASB discussing ideas, the athletes putting it all on the field. The class oozes ambition, dedication, and drive.
“It wasn’t easy. I was surrounded by my family, mentors, and best friends, near and far. My successes are not only my own but yours as well.
“We will continue to prove our class is nothing short of exceptional. Growing up my father always told me, 'If you did things well today, tomorrow you will do them better.' Class of 2025, you did very well today. Tomorrow you will do a lot better.”
Hildreth spoke to the graduates and thanked their teachers, saying they didn’t do it alone. “Thank you again for challenging us, and our families, for motivation and unwavering support over these long, yet short, four years.” She spoke about the passion and drive and the skills that would help graduates the rest of their lives.
The Monache Marauder Band led by Justin Adams played the Senior song “Fire” by Gary Gilmore to loudd applause and appreciation.
Jacob Vasquez, Student Body President gave a heartfelt MHS Senior Class Farewell speech, with the Despedida spoken by Angeles Mendiola in Spanish.
“No good story happens from everything going perfectly,” Vasquez said. He spoke about detours, and realized he could never have planned his way to graduation. He’d taken risks, failed countless times, more than he succeeded. “But the detour sometimes leads to the most meaningful parts of the journey.”
Monache football coach Aaron Berry told Vasquez everything happens for a reason. As he looked at his experiences Vasquez his perspective shifted, the detour, setbacks, unexpected moments, shaped him, and made him who he is today.
“The detours in life make it interesting. Life is challenging. Enjoy the moments that don’t go to plan. After all, no great story came from everything going perfectly.
“To all my amazing teachers and friends, thank you for inspiring me. You left a lasting impact on my life. Class of 2025, there is so much you can accomplish. Follow your dreams and challenge yourself, and remember the people who walk with you. I hope, one day, we’re not just strangers with good stories, but friends who wrote those stories.”
Walker acknowledged the valedictorians and honor students, while friends and family members screamed and yelled in support.
She presented the class of 2025, and said, “Parents, family, and friends of these graduates, please cheer and make this a moment they’ll never forget!”
Durbin, Ruiz, and others presented diplomas.