A graduate of Springfield High School descends from the commencement stage on June 5, 2025. The bilingual, bicultural celebration attracted friends and family members of all ages.
Rob Manning / OPB
Twenty of the 25 students OPB has followed continuously since kindergarten have graduated from high school.
Thirteen years ago, the students in OPB’s Class of 2025 project started kindergarten together at Earl Boyles Elementary School in the David Douglas School District in Southeast Portland.
The 20 graduating students earned diplomas from 11 different high school programs in Oregon and Washington, spanning seven school districts. The group includes Logan and Raiden, two students in the project who graduated a year ago, with the Class of 2024.
The path to graduation wasn’t linear for the Class of 2025. Their middle school years were interrupted by COVID, with most students spending half of 7th grade and most of 8th grade online. Over the years, students changed schools, experienced personal losses, and faced other challenges including health issues and housing insecurity. Several students come from low-income households, a group with graduation rates lower than the Oregon state average.
OPB has been following 27 students since they were in first grade as part of the Class of 2025 project to track the state's progress toward 100% high school graduation starting in 2025.
To get to graduation, a few students utilized credit recovery, including summer school, to earn the 24 credits required for an Oregon diploma.
The Class of 2025’s graduating classes were as small as 50 and as large as 500, at traditional public schools, online programs or schools in alternative settings. Graduates wore the same traditional robes as their classmates, but personalized mortarboards, stoles, cords, and leis of candy and money set them apart from one another.
Over 500 students graduated from David Douglas High School on June 5, 2025, including 10 students in OPB's Class of 2025 project. The graduation was held at University of Portland’s Chiles Center in front of family and friends.
Elizabeth Miller / OPB
Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams addressed the 85 graduates of Rosemary Anderson High School in early June. Rosemary Anderson is an alternative education program with four campuses in and around Portland.
“Many of you carried more than books this year,” Williams said to the graduates, as they gathered at Portland State University’s Viking Pavilion.
“You carried responsibilities beyond your years. You carried grief, you carried hope, you carried the pressure of proving people wrong - and you did! You have shattered stereotypes, dismantled barriers, and proved that excellence knows no boundaries. You made it.”
Williams has a personal connection to those Rosemary Anderson graduates, including Class of 2025 student Rayshawn. Before she was the top education official in the state, Williams was a principal at one of the Rosemary Anderson campuses.
The school serves students who weren’t successful in a traditional school and young people experiencing challenges outside of school. Rayshawn started at Rosemary Anderson after being suspended from David Douglas. He found the small classes helpful.
Wearing leis made of money and candy around his neck after graduation, Rayshawn said he’s excited for post-grad life, though it’s “a little stressful, a little wondrous, I would say, on what’s next - like, looking forward to it.”
PSU’s Viking Pavilion was the site for many 2025 graduations, including Jefferson High School’s graduation on June 2.
There, Class of 2025 student Azaysha walked across the stage in a white robe and a decorated grad cap that read “By the grace of God”.
“I’m so happy, it was so hard guys - especially this senior year, I’ve been through a lot, but I’m finally done,” Azaysha said after graduation.
Azaysha was surrounded by friends and family, at one point holding the little cousin of her brother’s girlfriend. Some friends made her a photo-covered banner that read “The queen is done.”
Memorable moments
Sure, every graduation typically includes at least one rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance”. But each Class of 2025 graduation featured something unique.
At Springfield High School’s graduation, where Class of 2025 student Sam received his diploma, the ceremony made a clear effort to include its Latinx families. More than one-third of Springfield students identify as Hispanic/Latino, according to the latest state data.
Principal of Springfield High, Jose de Silva, alternated between English and Spanish for his remarks.
“Good evening, esteemed graduates, families, friends and our live-streamed audience, it is wonderful to be together on this wonderful day,” de Silva said, before shifting to Spanish: “Buenas tardes, estimados graduados y graduadas, familias, amigas, amigos…”
Springfield High School’s commencement on June 5, 2025, featured a performance from Springfield’s Mariachi del Sol band.
Rob Manning / OPB
One of the student speakers made a similar effort to include the diverse audience with a speech in both languages. Among the musical performers at the June 6 commencement was Springfield’s Mariachi del Sol band.
TEAM High School is a partially online alternative school in Woodland, Washington. Class of 2025 student Jason was one of the 51 graduates sitting on stage at Woodland High School.
During the graduation, school staff took time to share a few sentences about each student.
“This graduating senior has a unique blend of quiet creativity and subtle humor, with a deep love for the outdoors and animals,” the staff member said of Jason. “Although soft spoken, his presence is steady, always ready to lend a hand or offer guidance to classmates.”
At Adrienne C. Nelson High School’s graduation, held at the University of Portland Chiles Center, Class of 2025 student Tyson Thames performed the song “Goodbye” from the musical “Catch Me If You Can."
“High school has been like a rehearsal: practice for adulthood,” Thames said before performing.
Nelson’s ceremony was particularly musical; another senior, Caden Hjertstedt, conducted the school band in a performance of his original composition, “Chapter 12."
Wearing a purple lei, Class of 2025 student Austin N. was among the Nelson graduates, the school’s largest graduating class.
Class of 2025 student Austin N. walks off the stage at graduation from Adrienne C. Nelson High School on June 9, 2025.
Elizabeth Miller / OPB
Graduations also brought somber moments, like the two honorary diplomas awarded to families of Rosemary Anderson students who died during the school year.
In her keynote, Charlene Williams balanced the reality of students’ lives with hope for their futures.
“You will encounter systems that weren’t built for you, and there will be days that will break your heart,” she said.
“But let me remind you that you have already overcome what was meant to break you.”
The graduation rate for the 25 students in OPB’s Class of 2025 project is 80%. Of the Class of 2025 students who didn’t earn diplomas this spring, their situations vary, from working rather than attending school, to falling behind on credits. One student’s graduation status is unknown.
Sukhjot Sal / OPB
Of the Class of 2025 students who didn’t earn diplomas this spring, their situations vary. One student has been working for the last few years, rather than attending school. Another has had to take on more responsibility at home, fell behind on credits and hopes to finish in the near future. At least one other member of OPB’s Class of 2025 stopped regularly attending school late in high school and plans to pursue an equivalency diploma.
At the David Douglas High School graduation, also at the Chiles Center, principal Jennifer Buscher pointed out the strength and resilience present in the Class of 2025.
“From global uncertainty to personal adversity, from disrupted routines to discovering who you truly are and what matters most,” Buscher said. “Change doesn’t define you - you define change.”
Buscher also acknowledged the unique reality for 10 of the high school’s 535 graduates: their whole educational journey was documented by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“Class of 2025, your story is one that has literally been watched and witnessed by more than just your family and friends,” Buscher said.
“What they’ve seen is the power of change in motion…what started as a look at a graduation goal became something much deeper: a tribute to how young people grow and change through love, support, hardship, and hope.”
With graduation, the Class of 2025 has reached an important milestone. Now, it’s on to adulthood.
“What’s next for you?” we asked Class of 2025 student Jason after his graduation.
“I’ve got work tomorrow,” he replied.
Rob Manning contributed to this story.
