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Foothill High School Principal Sebastian Bull and other Foothill staff members share memorable moments during the May 30 graduation ceremony. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
This year’s graduating class of Amador Valley High School seniors take their seats at the start of the graduation ceremony on May 30. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Village High School’s graduating class of 2025 (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Family members and friends cheer as the graduating Amador Valley Dons walk the stage on May 30. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Foothill High School saved an open seat in the front row of graduates for Sami Jaouni, a FHS student who died in 2023. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Amador Valley High School graduating seniors wait patiently to walk the stage and receive their diplomas. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Village High School graduating senior Arena Faustino delivers her speech about how the continuation school helps students push each other to become the students they know they can become during Village’s 2025 graduation ceremony on May 30. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Hundreds of family members and friends gather to celebrate the Foothill High School graduating class of 2025 last week at the school’s football field. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
This year’s acting principal at Amador Valley High School delivers his opening remarks during the school’s May 30 graduation ceremony. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
The Foothill High School American Sign Language chorus performs a rendition of the popular Green Day song, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Amador Valley High School’s 2025 valedictorian Angela Zhang delivers a speech about hope and her fellow classmates’ futures during the school’s May 30 graduation ceremony, which was held at the football field. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Foothill’s class of 2025 graduating seniors wait patiently for last week’s proceedings to finish so that they can walk up to the stage and receive their diplomas. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Amador Valley High School’s 2025 graduation ceremony was kicked off with a rendition of the National Anthem sung and performed in sign language by students. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Village High School students hug teachers as they are handed their diplomas during the school’s graduation ceremony on May 30. (Photo by Christian Trujano) 
Foothill High School graduates look to the audience as administrators ask the class of 2025 to thank their community and families for supporting their high school journey. (Photo by Christian Trujano)
While many Pleasanton families and students shared a common foe during this year’s graduation ceremonies across town — a dry heat wave with temperatures in the 90s — all three high schools had their own standout moments last Friday.
The May 30 festivities kicked off as they usually do over at the Firehouse Arts Center, where 11 Village High School seniors were recognized for their hard work and determination to graduate from PUSD’s sole continuation school.
“The path to this stage has not been easy,” Village High principal Heather Pereira said, “Many of you faced challenges that many students would never have to consider — balancing school with jobs, navigating personal hardships, overcoming health struggles, caring for siblings.”
This year was particularly difficult for students and faculty as the entire school community had to temporarily relocate as part of the district’s plans to turn the old site into the new Educational Options Center, a marquee project to be funded by the $395 million Measure I bond.
However, as students and staff noted, this group of Village High students are no stranger to difficult challenges.
“You’ve faced uncertainty, adversity and sometimes doubt,” she added. “And yet, you’ve pressed on and you’re here. You’ve shown that true strength is not about never failing, but about rising up every time that you do and you’ve proven that failure is simply part of the learning journey.”
A couple of hours later, families and friends gathered under the hot evening sun at the Foothill High School football field to celebrate the 2025 graduating class of Falcons.
Graduating senior Damon Decker told the crowd during his speech that his years at Foothill were some of the most memorable years from his entire experience at PUSD, and he hopes his fellow classmates took as much away from those four years as he did.
“As of today, your life as a Foothill Falcon is now in the rearview mirror,” Decker said. “Even if you have no clue what you want to do with the rest of your life, I hope that your experiences here have given you hope and ambition in what your life could be and what you can achieve going forward.”
However, there was a moment of brief sorrow as four graduating Falcons took to the podium to honor Sami Jaouni, a Foothill student who died in 2023, according to the students. They all took a few minutes to remember the good times they had with their friend and principal Sebastian Bull pointed out afterward that the school saved a front-row seat for Jaouni in his honor.
“He was proud to be a member of the class of 2025,” Bull said. “We just want to say that we love you Sami.”
Over at Amador Valley High School, acting principal Jr Yee opened the ceremony by joking about the fact that he has been mistaken for a student during his time on campus this year — but added that being mistaken for a Don wasn’t the worst thing to happen.
“If I’ve learned anything this year is that being mistaken for an Amador Valley student means you’re seen as capable, thoughtful, resilient and sharp,” Yee said. “Exactly how I describe the class of 2025.”
The Pleasanton Weekly congratulates the graduates on their success and wishes them all the best.
