‘Find Good Friends and Have Strong Roots’: Lake View High School Sends Off Class of 2025

SAN ANGELO, TX — Lake View High School celebrated the graduation of 210 seniors during a commencement ceremony held Saturday morning, May 24, 2025, at the CRC Roofers Coliseum. 

The event opened with a grand procession of graduates accompanied by the Chieftain Band, Orchestra, and Mariachi Los Caciques. Under the direction of Franklin Piland, they performed “Pomp and Circumstance” as friends and families applauded the graduates.

Principal Zach Ramirez welcomed attendees and praised the perseverance of the Class of 2025. “Today isn’t just about caps and gowns or walking across the stage,” Ramirez said. “Today is about recognizing the real journey you all have been on.”

“Don’t let others dictate your thoughts,” he said. “...the most powerful thing you can do is to think and speak for yourself. 

San Angelo ISD reported that he urged the graduates to seek knowledge, question assumptions, and engage deeply with the world around them.

“Be aware of the world that surrounds you and understand the world before you,” he said. “The future belongs to those who are curious, courageous and committed to learning. Not just what to think, but how to think.”

The Lake View JROTC presented the colors, followed by graduate Ariana Reese leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Tommy Jackson leading the Texas Pledge, and Ava Rodriguez delivering the invocation.

SAISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran delivered the keynote address, urging students to build strong personal foundations. “You’re going to need strong roots, you’re going to need to make great choices, and you’re going to have to have clear priorities,” Moran said.

Drawing an analogy to Sequoia trees, Moran added, “Their roots fuse together. They intertwine with one another. They share nutrients and they share the strength of holding one another up in a storm… Fuse your roots together. Life is too difficult to go it alone. Find good friends and have strong roots.”

Moran also challenged students to live intentionally and learn from past mistakes. He closed by quoting Mother Teresa: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Among those in attendance were members of the SAISD Board of Trustees, including Dr. Taylor Kingman, Mrs. Ami Mizell-Flint, Mr. Gerard Gallegos, Mr. Bill Dendle, Dr. Kyle Mills, Mrs. Pam Duncan, and outgoing board member Mrs. Lupita Arroyo. District administrators included Dr. Farrah Gomez, Dr. Merl Brandon, Dr. Raelye Self, Dr. Jason Skelton, and Mrs. Shannon Schwartz.

Class Salutatorian Joselyne Sanchez reflected on her journey as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. “My parents came to this country with little more than hope in their hearts and a vision for a better future,” she said. “They came here with more courage than money, more faith than certainty and more resilience than stability. Despite not having much, they gave me everything.” She concluded her speech with a plea to her peers: “Please don’t become a stranger to me.”

Valedictorian Christian Lambaren described high school as a climb “through a blizzard” and encouraged his classmates to take the first step toward their goals. “Live as if there’s no tomorrow and find the thrill in today,” he said, quoting actor Paul Walker. “Life is what you make of it. And to make it a great one, you must pursue what makes you happy. Life waits for nothing, so don’t wait to start yours.”

Lambaren also thanked families, teachers and classmates. “Thank you to our parents for being there for every step of the way and when we needed some advice on life… Thank you to all our friends for pushing each other to our very limits and building everlasting friendships and memories with one another.”

Following the student speeches, Principal Ramirez recognized National Honor Society members and students with high GPAs. He then officially presented the Class of 2025 to the Board of Trustees. Board Treasurer Bill Dendle accepted the class on the board’s behalf, marking the official end of their high school journey.

Following the presentations of diplomas, Austin Henry gave the Benediction. The Class of 2025 then shared one last singing of the LVHS School Song, accompanied by the Lake View Choir and Mariachi Los Caciques, before tossing their caps and celebrating with families and friends. 

The full graduation ceremony is available to watch below: