Achievements, harmonicas, songs, and explosives? Su Valley celebrates class of 2025

On May 14, the Su Valley graduating class of 2025 donned royal blue and gold for their graduation ceremony. While the number of seniors graduating may not be as big as the larger schools in the Mat-Su Borough, with 25 students receiving their diplomas, the significance of this moment and the achievements were highlighted and celebrated by friends, families, and the community.

Principal Bryan Kirby told the seniors that “no man is an island,” reminding them that no one achieves their goal alone. “Whatever path you take after graduation, whether its college, career, service, or travel, know this-you will not get there alone.”

He told them the biggest lesson they have learned was one not found in a textbook or classroom-it is the ability to work together, lift each other up, and achieve something great.

“That spirit of teamwork and connection, will serve you more than any single piece of knowledge,”

Salutatorian Isabella Higgins spoke about the inclusiveness and welcoming spirit she found when she first came to the school, and that though there may be disagreements along the way, the Class of 2025 found ways to overcome them. “Our class possess a remarkable ability to unite and become a powerful force when it truly matters.”

Valedictorian Poppy Moren said that many of the teachers have referred to the Class of 2025 as weird, wacky, joyful, or simply as “oh, that class,” but the claims are ones that she could not refute, and she called her class “an explosive.”

“I mean this in the best way possible. This is a class full of musicians, athletes, mechanics, writers, academics, and artists, all of whom have their own very strong opinions,” she said. “Explosives are made of things that don’t always get along. Friction, pressure, tension…but that energy, when it comes together can be something powerful.” Moren said that the explosive mix of personalities and ideas didn’t blow things apart, but rather pushed them to listen more closely, speak louder, and think harder about things.

“It’s really important to acknowledge all of the very hard work that this class has done,” said School Counselor Tamra Harrison before announcing several scholarships, including several student earning UA scholarships, which recognizes the top 10% of graduates in their class. Students receive a four-year, $12, 000 scholarship to be used at any college in the University of Alaska system.

Harrison also announced that Poppy Moren had received the Gonzaga Academic Excellence Grant, awarding $28,000 per academic year. Moren also received a local scholarship from Alpine Sense.

Senior Celia Carbone also received multiple scholarships from Whitman College, totaling $43,000 a year

Sahai Benischeh received a $32,000 a year scholarship from Pace University, and fellow graduate Isabella Higgins received several local scholarships from the Sunshine Community Health Center, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Su-Valley PTSA, and the Talkeetna Bachelor Society. Higging also received a scholarship from the local VFW, as well as the recipient of the state VFW completion award.

Multiple students also received scholarships from the local organizations, including the u-Valley PTSA, and not all scholarships are for colleges or universities, as senior Hannah Pitcher will be pursuing a career in the trades and received multiple vocational scholarships for her to pursue her studies.

“Sometimes people think that students at Su-Valley do not get the same opportunities as students in the rest of the district, and while that sometimes might be true, I want to say that many of you have jumped at every single opportunity and advantage Su Valley has had to offer.”

Another surprise during the ceremony came after a performance by Miles and Penny Osmond, as Miles dropped a second song he wrote, a “goodbye letter to all my friends and family,” as he will be leaving for two years on a mission for his church.

Commencement speaker Josh Sandifer said that his own journey at Su Valley began at the same time the seniors were entering sixth grade, joking that he has taught many of them up to ten times.

“I have learned so much from this group over the past seven years, and hopefully they have learned something from m., and the rest of the teachers,” he said before dropping three things he hopes the seniors take with them after high school-keep the music alive, and to drive the point home, he gifted the students with harmonicas to serve as a reminder.

He also told the students to remember that it isn’t about the cards they’re dealt, but how they’re played, “remember, you can take hold of your own life…put on your poker face and make the best of the hand you’re dealt. No excuses.”

Sandifer also reminded the students to enjoy the journey. “Have a little fun…but not too much fun.”