Wasilla High School graduates remembered for kindness, achievements and mischief

In every school, there is that one student that presents more of a challenge when trying to get them to buckle down and take their studies seriously.

For the graduating seniors of Wasilla High School (WHS), it appears that the Class of 2025 what that student.

“You were the only class I had to speak to twice,” WHS Principal Jason Marvel said at the beginning of commencement ceremonies, recalling that at the start of every school year, he gives presentations to every incoming class, setting expectations of conduct, processes and procedures. But the seniors required a second presentation, and he needed to use his ‘coach’s voice.’

“I outlined how certain behaviors were not indicative of what it means to be a Wasilla Warrior. Things needed to get figured out, and figured out quickly. Four years later, and this class has surpassed expectations.”

He said the graduating seniors had made remarkable growth over their high school careers, having witnessed them as freshmen. Marvel proudly talked of just a few of the achievements made by the Class of 2025, including that over a third of seniors earned 3.5 GPA or higher, surpassing the previous class by 8%. The class of 156 students obtained 244 Career and Technical Education certifications, 13 students are AP scholars, 2 of which are AP Scholars with Distinction. He lauded the athletics accomplishments, which include the Warrior Volleyball team for their back-to-back state and regional championships, the boys’ basketball conference champs, and most especially that WHS won the ASAA Academic Award for highest overall GPA in Cheer, Hockey, and Girls’ Basketball.

For all their accomplishments, Marvel said the class of 2025 still had a bit of mischief up their sleeves, showing a video of the “gift” the seniors left on their last day that included what could be described as creative redecorating of the hallways, common areas, and school grounds.

“But in all seriousness, the community of Wasilla, our world, is in good hands,” he said.

Social Studies teacher Nikki McDonald was the faculty member selected by the class to speak at the ceremony, telling the class she at first hesitated to give a speech, nervous to speak and worried that she might not have any profound words to impart on the graduates, but left a simple message for them: “Kindness matters.”

She said it was something she has seen again and again with the students. “You never know what someone else is going through, and a simple gesture, a kind word, a little compassion, it can make all the difference.” She told the students to hold onto kindness as they head off into the next chapter of their lives, no matter where it takes them.

Student speaker Alli Devine reminded graduates to not take themselves too seriously, and to get out of their comfort zones, “We have all seen the fun that comes from putting ourselves out there…lighten up and choose to bring fun and excitement to this world.”

Senior Class President Michelle Collins said that while the day marked perhaps the biggest step into adulthood for most, she remembered Xander Yelmene, who passed away in 2022, recalling that he was one of the most positive people she had known.

“His bright, outgoing personality, his humor, and his kindness left a mark,” Collins remarked, adding that she was grateful for having known him and that his spirit lives on in those who knew him.

She also spoke of the importance of setbacks, that they do not always represent failures and that they should not be the source of doubt, but rather lessons.

“They show me that I’m stronger than I ever gave myself credit for…the only option is pushing through it.”

Mylee Anderson remarked that Warrior Nation is large in number, and inclusive to all who come. We are all part of something great, and after we leave here tonight, it is my hope that we will all remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.”