Maricopa High School Graduation program 2025 InMaricopa.com InMaricopa is Maricopa's premier local news source InMaricopa is your go-to source for hyper-local news and information about Maricopa, Arizona. Stay informed with the latest community updates, events, and stories that matter to our city. InMaricopa is the only dedicated news outlet focusing exclusively on the city of Maricopa, ensuring residents are always in the know.
MARICOPA HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION CLASS OF
2025
Presented by
Administration
CONGRATS, CLASS OF 2025 Wherever you’re headed, your hometown is only a mouse-click away.
PRINCIPAL Deana McNamee
You’ve built a foundation of knowledge—now it’s time to build your future. At Karsten’s Ace Hardware, we believe in the power of hard work, community, and showing up for the people who count on you. As you step into what’s next, know that your hometown is rooting for you—always. Here’s to bright ideas, bold plans, and the tools to make it all happen. —Your neighbors at Karsten’s Ace Hardware Locally owned. Community proud. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025!
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Lee Bryan Rebecca DeLong Craig Moody Emily Maxwell Robert Miller
DEAN OF STUDENTS Robert Miller
MISSION Ensure academic success and develop skills for life after graduation.
VISION 100% of our students will graduate on time with a comprehensive post-secondary plan.
SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Tracey Lopeman
K
GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT Robert H. Downey
VICE PRESIDENT Patti Coutré
MEMBERS Carolyn Lopez Ben Owens Shanté Rothschild
2 2 0 Owners Cheryl & Dave Karsten
5
2 MHS • Class of 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Congratulations Class of 2025!
Congratulations, Class of 2025! This is your moment—one of many still to come—but unforgettable because of where it began. Maricopa is more than just the place you went to school. It is where you grew up, faced challenges, found your people, and started discovering who you are meant to be. This community has been your foundation, and now, it is your launchpad. Whether your next step takes you across the globe or just down the road, take with you the values you have learned, the roots you have grown, and the dreams you have nurtured. Step into new spaces with confidence and purpose, guided by what you know and who you are becoming. Take the leap. Trust yourself. And never underestimate the power of your own voice. You have made us proud.
To all that’s ahead,
Dr. Tracey Lopeman Superintendent Maricopa Unified School District
(480)360-1234 www.911-ac.com
009@
Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC:CR39-312225
Better Business Bureau
4 MHS • Class of 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Commencement
Thursday, May 22, 2025 7:30 p.m. RAM Stadium
Class of 2025 Recognition Kevin Piquette | Technical Theater Director
Processional “Pomp and Circumstance” | MHS Band
Presentation of Colors Air Force JROTC Color Guard
National Anthem and Alma Mater Divisi
Welcome Address Ismael Guerra Jimenez | Student Body President
Introduction of Speakers Ana Montufar Espinoza
Superintendent Speech Dr. Tracey Lopeman
Salutatorian Address Brady McMullen
Valedictorian Address Jaden Franklin
Military Honors Lt. Col. (Ret.) Allen E. Kirksey, Jr. Instructor, Air Force JROTC program
Rose Ceremony Drake Williams
Introduction of Foreign Exchange Students Jennifer Miller | English Department Chair
Introduction of Graduates Jennifer Miller | English Department Chair Amber Flores | Science Department Chair
Proclamation of Graduates Deana McNamee | Principal
Tassel Ceremony Emily Ascencio
6 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 7
CLASS OF 2025
Academic Awards and Honors
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Blue/Gold Cords Student inducted into the National Honor Society
Academic Excellence
Academic Achievement
National Honor Society
Marlene A. Agbodjan Oscar E. Aguilar-Loya Ainsley G. Alvarado Emily I. Ascencio Maryn D. Atkinson Owen C. Calaro Destiny I. Castro Lauren D. Chilen Wyatt A. Clark Catherine Y. Correa Maya I. Cortez Kaden J. Durovka Alannah E. Flores Liliana S. Flores Jaden C. Franklin Ulissa N. Garcia Micaela Luce C. Golez Isabella Gonzalez Ismael D. Guerra Jimenez Fiona E. Harris
Aaliyah Alvarez Autumn C. Auer
Marlene Agbodjan Luis Sanchez Cora Workman Loren Arcel Villaruel Catherine Correa Morgan Perry Ainsley Alvarado Maya Cortez Ava Lawrence Teyzin McElroy Jade Hernandez Brady McMullen Destiny Castro Cadence Kirk Brianna Pino Stevi Williams Emily Ascencio Lauren Roman Patrick Pettis Logan Winnecke Miguel Zamorano Akaylah Neely Siefa Wenwu Brittany Reidhead Anthony Hurst Genevieve Thompson Isabella Gonzalez
Yvandro A. Barbosa Brookelynn H. Boger Zuriel Brooks Grayson C. Buchberger Christopher Chavez Ava L. English Max Folia Giovani E. Fone Valerie M. Glasgow Antoni Josef L. Gloria Alexis M. Jimenez Emilee L. Kennedy Gabriel E. Lopez Alaura K. Martinez Alexis J. McKinney Chloe E. Mickalowski Naya P. Miller Caelem B. Palmer Brody M. Reed Nikolas Reilly Dominic N. Silva-Rivera
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Gold Cord & Tassel
Students who earned a 4.0 unweighted GPA or a 4.0 weighted plus a 3.5 unweighted GPA for AP/Honor students for Semester 1 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Silver Cord & Tassel Students who earned a 3.8-3.99 unweighted GPA or a 3.8-3.99 weighted plus a 3.0 unweighted GPA for AP/Honor students for Semester 1
Since 2004 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025!
CS CPA Group wishes every graduate continued success in pursuing your dreams and aspirations!
Jade D. Hernandez Kayla D. Houston Gary T. Hoxie Anthony M. Hurst Cadence E. Kirk
HONOR ROLL Silver Cord
Students who earned a 3.5 Unweighted GPA or a 3.5-3.78 weighted plus a 3.0 unweighted GPA unweighted for AP/Honor students for Semester 1
Honor Roll
Xylia A. Kraay Lily G. Kutter
Nathan J. Beeman Abigail L. Brothers Nathan A. Brown Alexander J. Brumley Kailynne R. Camarillo Alexa I. Chavez Seth D. Cone Hannah Dinero Maximus B. Gambino Gabrielle Golez Leah M. Heieie Israel T. Johnson Maddox K. LaFramboise Aaron P. Maddox Xander W. McGee Natalye R. Mills Kimberly M. Molina Mario-Alberto S. JR Nuno Hope P. O’Connell Makayla A. Owen Amalia S. Perez Lugo
Ava M. Lawrence Nevaeh J. Lopez Mireyna M. Marez Colbi L. McAdams Teyzin C. McElroy Brady J. McMullen Aaron Mireles Santiago Moreno Akaylah J. Neely
Ismael Guerra Jaden Franklin Micaela Golez Mireyna Marez Xylia Kraay
STUDENT COUNCIL Red & Black Cord Studens elected to the Student Council
Bryson T. Perez Morgan C. Perry Brianna R. Pino Gabriel J. Pries Leonardo G. Ramirez Aguilar Brittany M. Reidhead Jaida A. Robertson Lauren M. Roman Wenwu D. Siefa Benjamin H. Smith Zebina E. Smith Genevieve V. Thompson Milagros Urquilla Loren Arcel T. Villaruel Stevi J. Williams Cora L. Workman Miguel R. Zamorano Ramirez
DECA Royal Blue Cord
Members of DECA, an organization dedicated to emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the fields of marketing, management, hospitality and finance
Centered on your Success
CAVIT Orange Cord
Patrick D. Pettis Dorian Przydzial Sharice H. Ruff Luis M. Sanchez-Quiroz Evan J. Sansone Jonah J. Smith Esmeralda Ulloa Maria Fernanda Villa Lagunas Logan W. Winnecke
Students who graduated from a Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology program and received both high school and dual- enrollment credits while enrolled
21300 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 110 Maricopa, AZ 85139 (520) 568-3303 www.CSCPAGroup.com
Photography by Victor Moreno
8 MHS • Class of 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Ensure academic success and develop skills for life after graduation.
10 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 11
CLASS OF 2025
Zayden Acosta Madrid
Joel Acosta Meza
Evan Addington
Marlene Agbodjan
Linda Aguilar
Oscar Aguilar-Loya
Damia Allen
Lawk Allen
Stephanie Allende
Corey Allison
Markell Alonzo
Ainsley Alvarado
Aaliyah Alvarez
Sereniti Alvarez
Jaycee Anderson
Kaitlyn Appleton
Valeria Arevalos
Jose Armenta
Alina Arrechavala Ortega
Bailee Arviso
Emily Ascencio
Reese Atchison
Maryn Atkinson
Autumn Auer
Liam Avila
Brittany Ayala Valdez
Nora Aymar
Kenneth Bailey
Landon Baker
Jocelyn Bara
Yvandro Barbosa
Arielle Barnes
Michael Barnett
Emmanuel Batrez
Nathan Beeman
Emalee Belcher
Tania Bermudez Macias
Caden Berry
Verina Bertram
Brielle Better
Rylan Blader
Brookelynn Boger
Marvin Bolds
Emily Bonillas
Liam Boyle
Vianah Bradt
Gisellel Brambila Fimbres
James Brems
Kiara Brooks
12 MHS • Class of 2025
CONgRATs 2025 GrADs, YoUR JOuRnEy StARtS NOW!
CLASS OF 2025
Zuriel Brooks
Abigail Brothers
Aubrea Brothers
Dominick Brown
Nathan Brown
Clara Brulet
Alexander Brumley
Kymora Bryant
Jordynn Burdick
Owen Calaro
Kailynne Camarillo
Jose Campos
Dominic Caracozzo
Jennifer Cardona Camey
Christopher Carrera
Paris Carrington
Russell Carrington
Atlanna Carter
Airam Oliver Casquete
Destiny Castro
Dulce Castruita Varela
Alessandra Cervantes Monge
Andrew Cesca
Isabella Champion
Damion Chase
Alexa Chavez
Christopher Chavez
Jocelynn Chavez Rodriguez
Lauren Chilen
Wyatt Clark
Aarion Coleman
Trevor Collins
Alice Conklin
Jamison Cook
Mari Yazmyn Colmenero Valdez
Dominic Corona
Catherine Correa
Maya Cortez
Jeremiah Cox
Ruben Cruz
Alden Davis
Dayshaun Davis
FIND YOUR PATH AT CENTRALAZ.EDU
Pricilla De La Cruz
Teagan Delma
Madalina-Delia- Delores
Jonathan Dempich
Nicholas Devorkin
Jamier Dewberry Milton
Guillermo Diaz
14 MHS • Class of 2025
CLASS OF 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Andrew Diesing
Hannah Dinero-Chappell
Josephine Doherr
Brieawna Dudley
Kyla Eatmon
Mi Yah Edwards
Jayden Elkinton
Stephanie Garcia Moron
Abran Garcia Torres
Ayshawn Garner
Dayton Garrett-Robertson
Amelia Garza
Niko Gerena
Kalissa Gillespie
Daniel Ellin
Zackary Emmons
Ava English
Delaynie Enos
Savannah Epperson
Adriana Escobar
Ana Espinoza Montufar
Mackenzie Gillette
Alex Gimzelberg
Valerie Glasgow
Antoni Josef Gloria
Gabrielle Malen Golez
Micaela Luce Golez
Roxanne Gomez
Amos Essel
Hazen Esteban
Jason Estrada
Sarahi Estrada - Uribe
Mike Faison
Jeremiah Falco
Kaytlynn Fensel
Dhalia Gomez Rubio
Edgar Gonzalez
Isabella Gonzalez
Mattie Gooden
Jenifer Gordoa
Faith Gray
Amirra Green
Edward Ferrer
Roy Fields
Chris Figueroa
David Figueroa
Joshua Figueroa
Alannah Flores
Amiyah Flores
Anthony Green
Jaeger Green
Ami Griffin
Jaelin Guerin
Ismael Guerra Jimenez
Alexandra Guillen Corchado
Jennifer Guillen Perez
Evan Flores
Liliana Flores
Bryant Flores Guzmn
Miah Flores Tellechea
Max Folia
Christian Foncerrada
Giovani Fone
Ne’Vaeh Hall
Tristan Hall
Grace Hamrick
Tallent Hannah
Earl Hardy
Fiona Harris
Walter Harris
Jaden Franklin
Alexus Franks
Stacie Franze
Logan Frazier
Tyler Friese
Diamond Frost
Amy Fuentes
Yushua Hasan
William Hawkins
Leah Heieie
Ashlianon Heinrich
Andres Hernandez
April Hernandez
Demario Hernandez
Dimitri Fuizzotti
Leslie Gallego-Moreno
Victor Galvan
Maximus Gambino
Isabella Garcia
MiAnna Garcia
Ulissa Garcia
Jade Hernandez
Noelia Hernandez Camarena
Xitlaly Hernandez Nava
Michael Hester
Cary Hicks
Kingston Hirsch
Carleerose Ho
16 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 17
CLASS OF 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Courtney Hollingsworth
Kayla Houston
Gary Hoxie
Domonick Huante
Ashleymae Hulguin
Hannah Hummel
Anthony Hurst
Octavio Machado
Alonsa Machado Arellanes
Josef Macias
Aaron Maddox
Alyssa Madrid
Johnathan Madsen
Jayden Malone
Alaura Hyde
Bryson Iordanoff
Chelsea Jackson
Connor Jackson
Aaron Jajua
Ofelia Jajua
Jordan James
Matthew Manuel
Mireyna Marez
Janett Mariscal
Ashton Marsella
Rian Martens
Brooklyn Martin
Raycer Martin
Anastaisa Jernigan
Alexa Jimenez
Alexis Jimenez
Destiney Johnson
Israel Johnson
Jayden Johnson
Kamari Johnson
Angel Martinez
Arielle Martinez
Jillian Martinez
Macrina Martinez
Ja’Vius Mata-Anderson
Colbi McAdams
Judah McCall
Bailey Kannberg
Yeva Katkov
Brooklynn Keen
Olivia Kelsh
Emilee Kennedy
Shawn Kiger
Tina Kilbert
Maegan McCormac
Tyson McDermott
Tavion McDonald
Teyzin McElroy
Xander McGee
Alexis McKinney
Brady McMullen
Jayden Kilpatrick
Cadence Kirk
Hailee Klutz-Phillips
Nathan Kobasic-Vondra
Xylia Kraay
Bianca Kurpaska-Torres
Lily Kutter
Jayden Meadows
David Melanson
Alec Mentzer
Lucas Merring
Alyssa Michel
Chloe Mickalowski
Connor Milla
Maddox LaFramboise
Kai Lally-Montgomery
Tyler Lasher
Ava Lawrence
Jon Lester
Martha Linares
Jayden Lira
Kaleb Miller
Naya Miller
Natalye Mills
Michael Miranda Pesqueira
Aaron Mireles
Aidan Miu
Ryan Mix
Blaine Lombardi
Destiny Lopez
Eric Lopez
Gabriel Lopez
Izaac Lopez
Nevaeh Lopez
Aery Maave Sefo
Kimberly Molina
Estrella Montecillo
Cole Moore
Julius Moore
Lillian Moore
Isaiah Mora
Ritchie Mora Paramo
18 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 19
CLASS OF 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Santiago Moreno
Shayla Morgan
Alyssa Morrison
Elaina Morrissey
Giovanni Mungia
Misael Munoz
Rolando Munoz
Bruno Ramos Quintero
Daniel Rangel Mendias
Jacob Raper
Keira Rayford
Brody Reed
Evelyn Regalado
Brittany Reidhead
Oscar Murcia
Joseph Narcia
Josselin Nava Contreras
Anabel Nava Hernandez
Akaylah Neely
Abraham Negrete Barajas
Athena Nelson
Nikolas Reilly
Nataly Reyes
Ruben Reyes
Jesus Reyes Salinas
Sean Reynolds
Mateo Rhodes
Jacob Riley
Lilyanna Nelson
Lilliann Nestvold
Genna Nickens
Mario-Alberto Nuno
Hope O’Connell
Adrian Ortiz
Travis Ortiz
Terrence Riley Coleman
Jimena Rios Becerra
Jeremy Rivera
Aaron Roberts
Jaida Robertson
Niesa Robinson
Shayla Robran
Makayla Owen
Francisco Padilla
Jacob Pagan
Caelem Palmer
Joseph Palmieri
Cooper Park
Andrea Parra Galaviz
Amir Rodgers
Angel Rodriguez
Breceada Rodriguez
David Rodriguez Armenta
Lesly Rodriguez Michel
Joesph Rogers
Danniel Rojas
Megan Pedro
Alynah Peralta
Bryson Perez
Layla Perez
Leslie Perez
Amalia Perez Lugo
Cameron Perkins
Aaliyah Roman
Lauren Roman
Yai Rose
Sharice Ruff
Christian Runkel
James Russey
Daniel Salazar
Johnny Perkins
Morgan Perry
Myles Peters
Patrick Pettis
Brianna Pino
Chase Piquette
Steven Pizano
Kalel Samuka
Christie Sanchez
Jade Sanchez
Edgar Sanchez Garcia
Luis Sanchez-Quiroz
Bryan Sandoval
Wyatt Sandoval
Julianna Plumley
Brandon Pollock
Gabriel Pries
Dorian Przydzial
Antonio Purdy
Levi Quinney
Aaliyah Ramirez De La Rosa
Evan Sansone
Andrea Santa Cruz
Amare Santiago
Emma Sauceda
Damarion Scott
Davien Scott
Alexander Scott-Bustos
20 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 21
CLASS OF 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Robert Seimetz
Natalia Serratos
Wenwu Siefa
Dominic Silva-Rivera
Nevaeh Silvas
Johanna Sims
Mercedez Sinforiano
Alessandra Valenzuela
Nayleen Valenzuela
Abri Vargas
Katie Vargas
Ashton Vaughn
Layla Verser
America Viliebre Tapia
Dallas Sinoti
Diego Sinoti
Luke Six
Braden Slinger
Aiden Smith
Arquavian Smith
Aryana Smith
John Villa
Maria Villa
Chelsea Villanova
Loren Arcel Villaruel
Aubane Viollet
Hunter Walker
Marcus Walker
Barry Smith
Baylen Smith
Benjamin Smith
Jonah Smith
Zaire Smith
Zebina Smith
Christian Soliz
Kevin Wallace
Angie Warner Garcia
Daveion Watson-Harbin
Alexis Wheeler
Jamone White
Lorenzo Wigfall
Jenna Wiles
Elisa Sours
Abigale South
Kaitlyn Speights
Jayden Steele
Matthew Stewart
Madison Stranford-Ronning
Arbelo Styles Altman
Christian Williams
Drake Williams
Stevi Williams
Chandler Wilson
Neveya Wilson
Thomas Winge
Logan Winnecke
Christian Summers
Kylend Suon
Macie Tanis
Ariana Tellechea
Jaiden Thatcher
Ariel Thomas
Genevieve Thompson
Cora Workman
Alec Yarbrough
Miguel Zamorano Ramirez
Oscar Zapata Galvan
Cristian Zorrilla
Camden Byrnes Daniela Carias Madison Casaus Jozef Celaya Cody Cobb Seth Cone Jace Coronado
David Figueroa Carland Gillespie Amonte Griffin Shawn Griggs Essence Hendrix Darien Henry Jazmin Hernandez
Jonathan Mejia Isaiah Miguel Olen Millner Javontae Moffett Tamarynn Moore Elaisha Moses Aaron Nieblas Alana Oliver Kyden Oliver Jacob Pablo Volincia Pablo Isabelle Palm Leonna Pangan Atzi Loerre Parra Just Perryman
Eilleen Quintero Ashley Ramirez Hernandez Kamila Reyes Lizeth Rojas Soto Jose Salgado Paris Star Sanchez Mathius Sam
Tony Suares Adam Trentz Briseyda Verduzco Jamison Vincent Bonaitcha Wagnac Jeffrey Walker Jeremy Wallace Daulton Westerfield Seth White Robert Williams Johnathan Wynne
Graduates not photographed
Ahaneku Chucha Benedict Dominic Alvarez Shannell Bedonie
Rhomaine Thompson
Jarreau Thompson Garbutt
Stephen Thorton-Jernigan
Alexander Tingvold
Nevaeh Tobey
Antonio Tomassini
Alexis Torres
Noah Bencomo Jade Bencomo
Dayshia Cruz Destiny Cruz Jalen Dumas
Zariah Herron Darius Hughes Ryan James Travis Johnson
Savannah Schubert Alexxus Sefo-Taumua
Dzmitry Bialiayeu Jenissey Biebrich Giovaughn Brown Grayson Buchberger Tatiana Buckner Jenell Bush Gianna Buxenbaum
Jamil Shivers Nathan Smith Austin Soltis
Michael Dunbar Kaden Durovka Zion Ellis
Alana Jones Zolan Kessel Nicholas Lowanga Jamari McCarty
Gabriella Sorenson Amanda Soto Paez Trevyn Stanton
Isiah Favela Emija Fields
Naomi Trast
Taylor Treadwell
Aiden Trotter
Quesly Trujillo Ochoa
Esmeralda Ulloa
Milagros Urquilla
Angelique Urrea Rodriguez
22 MHS • Class of 2025
Class of 2025 • MHS 23
CLASS OF 2025
Valedictorian | Jaden C. Franklin
if there’s anything I’ve learned about people, it’s that the real winners in life are those who don’t let their passions sit idly by. Oftentimes, we let life drag us by the leash, simply taking what is presented to us. In doing so, we relinquish our ability to convert our dreams into reality. So, today, to my fellow graduates — and to any yearning person in the audience — harness the fight within you, and do not give up. At the end of our lives, we are faced with all the decisions we made and did not make. I beg you all today to start making decisions now, so that when you look back in 10, 20, 30, even 40 years — when you’re balding and your joints start predicting the weather — you can feel satisfaction in the choices you did make. So, whatever that dream is — do it tired, do it angry, do it happy, do it sad, do it excited. Do it until your dreams are no longer just dreams. Remember: Only you decide what is possible. So, choose the impossible. To the Maricopa High School class of 2025: May God bless you and guide you in all your endeavors. I’d like to share my gratitude for my family, friends, educators and Jesus Christ, who have so attentively ushered me through all the seasons of my life. Also — thank you, Beyoncé. Tonight, leave not only with your diploma, but with the confidence that you are a person who can and will do what it takes. Thank you all, God bless you and have an unforgettable rest of your evening.
G
ood evening, friends, families and educators. What a joyous day!
My name is Jaden C. Franklin, and I would like to take a moment to give a round of applause to the graduates and all the support systems and people who helped get them here today. It takes courage and determination to achieve anything, and finishing 12 years of general education is no small feat. Although for many of you here today this ceremony may seem routine, I want to hone in on the significance of this day and remind the audience what an honor it is to be gathered here. I have one message for the audience this evening: The people who believe they can’t are the people who don’t. Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of making a lot of wonderful and enriching connections both in and outside Maricopa High School’s gates. And
24 MHS • Class of 2025
CLASS OF 2025
Salutatorian | Brady McMullen
Congratulations Class of
Saquon was drafted by the Giants with high expectations and lived up to them early on, having an exciting first two seasons. However, he would go on to have a season-ending injury in his third year and be injury-riddled again in his fourth. In his fifth season, Saquon would have a great year, leading his team to the second round of the playoffs. But despite that fifth-year success, he did not receive the contract offer he desired and was forced to play one more brutal season with the Giants, which included a 40-0 loss that I unfortunately had to witness in person. Now you’re all probably wondering why I’m standing up here reading off a summary of the career of an NFL running back in a speech where I am supposed to give advice, but I promise there is meaning behind this comparison. Those first two seasons were our freshman year, where we entered with high expectations of what high school would be like and got to find what worked and what didn’t work for us. However, those second two injury-riddled seasons were our sophomore year, when the reality of the work that needed to be done to reach our goals had set in. The fifth season with the triumphant playoff run represents our junior year, when, despite the large workload, we used skills gained from our previous years to navigate challenges. And now we are coming to the conclusion of our last season with the Giants, where the ending is bittersweet. Many are excited to be done, and many are sad to be leaving behind friends, faculty and the many memories they have made at Maricopa High School. But after several seasons of our lives, our journey here has come to an end. But what happens after the sixth season with the Giants? Well, Saquon Barkley moves on and signs a huge contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, and in his first season, he has a career year, leading them to a Super Bowl victory. As a Giants fan, I’ll admit that I, among many other Giants fans, felt that Saquon’s best years were behind him, and that the same struggles he underwent during several seasons with the franchise would be evident with the Eagles. To me, it seemed unlikely that he could perform well given these uncertain circumstances. But despite the uncertainty, Saquon Barkley left one great venture to have greater success in another. Our next season begins now. The results of our future endeavors are uncertain, but we all have a plan, and we all have goals: four-year universities, community colleges, military service, trade schools and workforce aspirations. The commitment by the class of 2025 to map out our futures is admirable, and I could not be prouder to be part of a class that has had such great success in that area. But like Saquon Barkley, this success is not possible without those first several seasons. The experiences that we gained, the opportunities that we utilized and the people we met have enabled us to sign our next contract. We must not forget all that we have to appreciate here at Maricopa High School. Wherever it is that you go, I hope that you all have cherished your time here. I hope that the experiences that have shaped you fill you with the same sense of pride that I feel for the city of Maricopa. I hope that down the line, when somebody asks you where you’re from, you don’t tell them Arizona, and you don’t tell them south of Phoenix. You’re from Maricopa, and that is something you should be immensely proud of. Good luck and go Rams!
G
ood evening, members of the board, Mrs. McNamee, faculty, families and my fellow graduates of the class of 2025. I am honored to be able to speak tonight and represent such an amazing group of students. I wanted to first say that none of us — myself especially — would be here tonight without the support of the incredible staff here
at Maricopa High School. I want to thank the teachers, coaches and advisors who have aided me along this journey, and my friends for challenging me to succeed every step of the way. I understand that the purpose of this speech is to advise my fellow classmates on their future endeavors, and I do promise that. I gave this task a lot of thought. However, during the writing process, I struggled to develop a direct and profound message to share here tonight. Instead, at the time of me writing this speech, my mind wandered toward the looming 2025 NFL Draft. I have always loved sports, and I have always loved football, and anyone who knows me knows I love the New York Giants. I’ve seen them at their best and at their worst and will always remain loyal. During my time as a fan, I have watched many all-time greats of the franchise, but the one player who I will always remember the most is Saquon Barkley. Now for the non-football fans, I should start by mentioning that Saquon Barkley no longer plays for the New York Giants, as he signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles after six seasons. But looking past the frustration that his signing brought me, I realized that Saquon Barkley’s stint with the Giants was a lot like high school.
19060 N. John Wayne Parkway (520) 534-0700 www.ehc24.com
26 MHS • Class of 2025
Robert H. Downey PRESIDENT
Congratulations Maricopa High School, Desert Sunrise High School and Maricopa Virtual Academy Class of 2025! Dear Maricopa High, Desert Sunrise High, and Maricopa Virtual Graduates of 2025, There is a certain pride that comes with growing up in Maricopa—a place where people know your name, show up when it matters, and remind you that you are never alone. You have walked these hallways, worn your school colors, and made memories that will always be part of this place. On behalf of the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board, we are proud of all you have accomplished. Graduation is more than a milestone, it’s a reflection of your grit, growth, and the dreams you carry forward.
Patti Coutré VICE PRESIDENT
Carolyn Lopez MEMBER
Wherever you go next, Maricopa goes with you. We will be here, celebrating every step you take.
Ben Owens MEMBER
Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board
Shanté Rothschild MEMBER
(520) 568-5100 www.musd20.org
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22-23 Page 24-25 Page 26-27 Page 28Powered by FlippingBook