Leander High School’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 was Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the HEB Center in Cedar Park. The program listed 503 prospective graduates.
FROM PRINCIPAL CHRIS SIMPSON
- The class of 2025 is the 16th class to participate in the Austin Community College dual-credit program. Leander High School has 134 seniors who earned three or more credit hours in the program. This year’s senior class has earned a grand total of 1,974 college credit hours, which equates to a cost of attendance savings in their post-secondary education of nearly $1.9 million at a Texas public institution.
- The class of 2025 has 176 students graduating as Texas Scholars.
- This year, we have 32 International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates and 29 IB course candidates.
- This year, 175 seniors took a total of 419 Advanced Placement exams.
- Our students have been awarded $7.1 million in scholarships.
“The class of 2025 is the eighth class I have had the privilege to see through the finish line and each of those classes takes on its own personality. What I will remember about this class is your unwavering commitment to standing up for what is right and always being your true selves. This class will be remembered as a group of young women and men who are driven to make positive change in the world around them. Whether in the military, continuing your education or entering the workforce, this group is willing to take risks and push to make their world a better place.
“During these four years, you have struggled, celebrated, laughed and cried. The highlight of my job was getting to know you as individuals and watching you grow in our short time together.
“For those of you who camped in my front yard, thanks for not making a mess and to the class of 2025, I thank you for all the wonderful memories.”
Pavithra Vellengar, valedictorian
Now, for everyone in the audience, what I think we need to remember as adults, even though some of us don’t feel like adults, is that there’s always a way for everything to come into its place. There have been multiple times when I have thought ‘no way I can fix this,’ or ‘I’m cooked,’or ‘This is impossible,’ but I truly believe we have the strength to keep going. Despite all the stress we may have from the adult world, I think we all need to remember, as Ms. Tekpor says, ‘at the end of the day, it’s night.” Rough days will always come to an end because we truly do have the power to change and reach our goals in life.
And like Equestria, we learned that friendship isn’t just magic — it’s responsibility. Twilight Sparkle didn’t become the Princess of Friendship because she aced her tests. She did it because she listened, she failed, she learned, and then she stood back up and helped others rise with her.
Christina Milne, salutatorian
Sure, school and learning are a huge part of high school, but equally important are friendships and experiences. Maybe, in 15 years I’ll remember some lesson and classes from school, but I will never forget the Thomas sardine incident or the smell of the perfume we used to try to cover it up. And, our experiences and friends don’t have to be separated from the classes we attended. Friends are what make high school fun. Making unforgettable memories is so much better than coasting by unnoticed.
Haven Gier, Senior Class vice president
Please, graduating seniors, …. Become someone that you from 10 years ago can be proud of. And remember, you are the one who’s in control of your own life.
As time goes on, there will be reasons to stop. There will be reasons to quit. There will be times where it looks like the universe is a yesteryear. But, by the end of the day, when the world around you isn’t following your plan, the only way to fix it is to fix you. Don’t be the one hoping to get chosen. Be the one hoping to choose.
