Hearty cheers and hollers ignited at the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” at Niedermeyer Field the evening of June 12, celebrating the Coronado High School class of 2025 as they walked into their graduation ceremony.
Logos of local and out-of-state universities, inspirational quotes and other personal designs decorated the caps of the more than 250 seniors trickling into their seats for the school’s 110th commencement ceremony, nodding to the start of their next chapters.
Coronado High principal Karin Mellina, who has known many of these students since middle school, encouraged them to be present and soak up every detail of graduation.
“These are not little things,” Mellina said. “These are the moments that make a life. … Your legacy is intact and deeply right rooted in the fabric of Coronado High School. It has been an absolute joy for me to watch you grow into the beautiful, creative, inspiring individuals that you are, and I am so grateful to be here with you in this moment.”
Senior class presidents Charlotte Peterson and Alex Conlon reflected on the importance of accepting change and overcoming fears.
“As we head into this next chapter, whether it’s college, work, the military, or a journey you haven’t figured out yet, don’t fear change,” Peterson told her classmates. “Run towards it, take risks, fall forward, don’t settle for a life that’s smaller than the one you’re capable of living. And whatever path you’re taking, let it be one that challenges you.”
Joshua Chao, the keynote speaker, pulled on his experiences as an English teacher to urge students to step out of their comfort zone and follow their passions.
“While y’all are amazing and incredible, headed off to place your fingerprints all over the future, I hope you never forget to stay true to yourselves,” said Chao, who has taught at CHS since 2012. “The butterflies in life are always in motion, hard to catch and fleeting. But if you tend your garden, if you cultivate excellence in the small things, and don’t let others shake your conception of success, the butterflies will come.”
Meters away, graduates were joined by their predecessors, including Coronado residents Frank Burke and John Coolidge, who attended the ceremony with the class of 1975 to receive honorary diplomas.
Having walked across the same stage half a century ago, Burke and Coolidge advised the recent graduates to make smart choices and stay connected.
“Work hard but have fun,” Burke emphasized. “[Coronado] is a great place to grow up.”
“Your friends and family will always be here, somebody will always be here,” added Coolidge.
