A sea of red some 250-plus strong enveloped Stouffer Field on Friday for the Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony.

Ripon High Principal Keith Rangel kicked off the program with a speech that put things in alarming perspective.

He reminded everyone that when the class of 2025 began high school, the world was emerging from the shadow of COVID, from masks to social distancing, and he pointed out the resilience this class had to display to persevere.

Following the Presentation of the Colors by the Ripon JROTC and a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled banner by the Ripon High Choir, Senior Class President Claire Morris delivered the welcome address.

Morris urged the class to, “Reminisce on both the triumphs and the failures, the moments of growth, and especially those who helped you to this point.” She also urged her classmates to take pride in the persons they have become over the past four years.

Chetan Harvey’s Salutatorian speech was not one that you typically hear at graduations.

Rather than talk about his perspective on the last four years, he gave what he referred to as “shout-outs” to the people closest to him and what they had to share with everyone. He called out 10 people in all, from teammates to classmates to his parents.

He closed with his own philosophy, “Mistakes are not a defining factor of your worth. What defines us is how we grow from them and how we respond when things get hard.”  

Prior to the presentation of the class for diplomas, Valedictorian Logan Trickey wrapped things up with the words of vocalist James LaBrie, “‘Life’s hardest battles are often fought alone,’ so don’t hesitate to thank whoever has rescued you from your worst so that you can live at your best. Thanks a million and congratulations Ripon High.”