As the ceremony starts while everyone is getting adjusted and finding their seats, in true Highlander fashion the bagpipe player Sam Gow comes out playing a beautiful melody leaving the entire room pleasantly surprised. Behind Gow followed our principal John Staley, our superintendent Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, and our mayor Joseph M. Petty. The remainder of faculty follow behind them and then finally, dressed in their maroon colored gowns, in come the graduating class of 2025. The entire room bursts into an uproar of excitement, joy, and pride for their family and friends.

The waterworks may have started but they didn’t stop there. Doherty’s senior class president Maame Akyeampong delivered a beautiful opening speech that really set the tone for that night. A tone of looking back at old memories fondly and making room for the new memories while they take the next step in their lives. It was beautifully done and an amazing transition into the class valedictorian, Dea Kamberi’s, speech. A truly heartwarming and touching speech that acted as the perfect bow to tie up their high school careers. We then had guest speakers Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Joseph M. Petty, and John Staley giving their best wishes and thoughtful advice to the graduates that even touched the audience.

Finally once the names started to be called the room was filled with pure energy. Feelings of excitement, Joy, Nostalgia, a bittersweet sadness, pride, and hope were overflowing in that room. All I can say is that the class of 2026 has some big shoes to fill.

Congratulations to the class of 2025!