GALT, CA (MPG) - Estrellita High School held its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony on June 3 to honor the work of 66 students, the largest graduating class in recent years.

“This is the largest graduating class in recent history. Here to help us mark this very special occasion is our number of distinguished guests,” said Estrellita Principal Joe Schallberger. 

Schallberger proceeded to name the Galt Joint Unified High School District board members present at the ceremony, such as board president Terry Parker, superintendent Anna Trunnell, and trustees Carol Messersmith and Melissa Neuburger, among others. 

“We made it. That simple sentence carries the weight of every challenge, every late night and every moment you wanted to give up but didn’t. Today is proof that even when the road gets tough, when life throws more at you than seems fair, you can still shine,” said Schallberger.
 “Estrellita means a little star, and every one of you is a star in your own right.”

Estrellita recognized four students with awards, nominated and selected by teachers, for their “grit,” citizenship and academic achievement. 

The first GRIT award was presented by social studies teacher Clark Carter to Jose Gomez-Velasquez, who is a student that Schallberger said has shown “great persistence and perseverance.” 

The second GRIT award was presented by science teacher Doug Till, who nominated Aniela Warren to accept this recognition of good character.  

“She has a positive can-do attitude, and she works diligently to accomplish her goals,” said Till. 

English teacher Doug Parrott presented the Academic Award, which is awarded to a student every year with outstanding academics and will also receive a scholarship to be used to further their educational opportunities. 

This year, the award recipient was David Aragon. 

“I have great confidence that this young man will be a huge success. … It is possible that some day we will all be reading his bestseller,” said Parrott. 

The final recognition, the Citizenship Award, was presented by math teacher Donna Harte, who nominated Julisa Salazar.

“Julisa shows us what it means to truly lead from the heart. She carries herself with maturity and grace, and her communication is always filled with respect and kindness,” said Harte. 

Class of 2025 graduates at the ceremony were (in alphabetical order):

Cristian Aguilar, Jovanny Alvarez, Yarely Anguiano, David Aragon, Logan Artherton, Damian Cabrera, Breana Castillo, Elen Cervera, Jose Corona, Samuel Cuadros-DeSantiago, Orisi Damuni, Ciel Davis, Larry Deleon, Michael Fuller, Vincent Galiste, Jose Gomez-Velasquez, Isaiah Gonzales, Jozlyn Graves, Adrian Guzman-Sandoval, Elijah Harrison, Emma Lee Hernandez, Erwin Herrera, Asandra Joe, Anthony Jones, Kaden Leyva, Jeremy Lintern, Jade Lloyd, Juan Lopez-Avalos, Darius Loya, Jose Macias, Kyra McKinley, Elise Melara, John Michelotti, Ana Montelongo-Perez, Yamilet Olmos, Izayah Partida-Moreno, Valeria Perez, Alan Ramirez-Ramirez, Anahi Regalado, Eden Reyna, Victoria Rios, Noah Roberts, Arianna Robles, Lionel Romero-Zamora, Adelyn Romine, Ashley Ruiz, Julisa Salazar, Tyler Salazar, Sofia Sanchez-Pelayo, Brendan Sikich, William Sutton, Kalub Utrich, Aniela Warren, Marcos Zamora and Mariana Zavala-Gallegos.