Houston High kicks off graduation week, honoring 57 seniors

Houston High School graduates filed into the Menard Center donning black robes and red sashes. Students waved to family and friends that cheered them on as they walked through a tunnel of faculty and teachers that welcomed and congratulated them as they found their seats.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening Terje McClurg conducted the Houston High School graduation on Monday.

“On behalf of the senior class, we are glad you are here to celebrate Houston High School’s 2025 graduation commencement,” McClurg said. “As we turn to a new chapter in life, we have made it to early adulthood. And I couldn’t have been better prepared if it wasn’t for you all.”

Principal Chad Martin opened his welcoming message by asking the seniors for a “Go Hawks,” in which the entire graduating class returned in unison, “Go Hawks.” Martin acknowledged how the graduates have worked. The class has received over $1 million dollars in scholarships and over half of the graduating class has received the Alaska Performance Scholarship Award.

“They are a group of students who’ve shown determination, heart and purpose throughout their time here,” Martin said.

The theme of the evening was finding passion in life and living in the moment, not worrying about the future. Salutatorian Tricity Curren celebrated with her class as they finish this chapter of their lives and prepare for the next. She said she lived like she didn't want to look back on this chapter having regrets. She said her most valuable lessons weren’t from textbooks but from learning from her mistakes and missed opportunities.

“I was too concerned with what was and what will be. I was slowly distracted with the time I spent worrying about stressing who I wanted to be in the future rather than figuring out who I am right now,” Curren said.

Curren encouraged her classmates to live in the moment and cherish the current times and not worry too far in the future. She acknowledged her friends that supported her through her roughest times. She gave her greatest gratitude to her father, Jordan Curren, for setting an example that, “good times become good memories, but bad times become good lessons.”

Curren closed her speech by saying, “We may not know what the future holds, but we know now what is going on.” She asked her class to remember the moment and cherish where they are, not worry about what they will face in the next chapter of life.

Valedictorian Gage Hawes spoke of different human traits and related them to different people in his class. He acknowledged that each person follows a passion in their lives, whether it be through sports, an idea or an activity. And with those passions will come challenges that will have to be overcome. He highlighted commitment, discipline and passion and how that helped him become the person he is today.

“Commiting to what you find passionate, what you hold closest to your heart, is vital to being fulfilled in life,” Hawes said.

Student Daphne Major hosted the Rose Ceremony, where students presented flowers to the people that they have gratitude for. Daphne recognized parents and guardians for encouraging them and sacrificing their time to see each student succeed. She recognized siblings, teachers, coaches and sponsors and the Houston High School administration for their guidance and wisdom.

“Each graduate comes bearing a small token of gratitude, a heartfelt offering to honor the love, support and guidance that helped them reach this moment,” Major said.

A slideshow featuring each graduating senior included a baby picture, senior photo, the student's favorite quote and the activities they were involved in. The Houston Symphonic Band and the Houston Jazz Choir performed songs during the ceremony.

Amanda Williams was the night’s keynote speaker. She lovingly referred to the class of 2025 as her “earthquake babies” and jokingly said that this class forced her to repeat herself and tested her patience by saying, “I’ll wait,” more times than any other class she’s taught. She said she had the wrinkles and the gray hair to prove it. However, she now encouraged the graduates to do just the opposite.

“I hope tonight to impart the opposite. Don’t. Don’t wait. Don’t wait for anything. Seek every opportunity and work towards excellence,” Williams said. “Don’t confuse success with excellence or failure with finality. The end is inescapable and similar for us all. It’s the journey there that leaves its mark.”

Williams asked the students “to be” in their next chapter of life. She asked them to be the thinkers, the starters, the doers, the creators, the problem solvers, athletes, friends and individuals they are. Speaking on behalf of the teachers, counselors, coaches and other adults in the student's lives, Williams said that they strive to give the class two things: roots, and wings.

“While it is easier by far to give you roots, it is time for you to soar. Go Hawks,” Williams said.

Greg Morano led his classmates in turning their tassels at the conclusion of the ceremony, moments before graduates flung their caps high in the air, celebrating the end of this chapter, and the start of a new one.

“Congratulations class of 2025, Go Hawks!” Morano cheered.