Yelm High School packs Tacoma Dome for class of 2025 graduation

On Sunday, June 15, Yelm High School’s graduating class of 2025 gathered for the final time as students, friends, family and teachers celebrated graduation at 9:30 a.m. inside of the Tacoma Dome.

YHS Principal Curtis Cleveringa used his time at the podium to reflect on YHS students’ hard work throughout their tenure at the school, but he also shined a light on their future opportunities for students set to attend or join four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, the military and the workforce.

“As I stand here, I am filled with gratitude. Over the past four years, we’ve had moments that’ve shaped us not only into individuals but who we are together, as a community,” Cleveringa said. “We’ve watched each of you grow into young adults with strength, purpose and heart. Think back to when you entered high school — the excitement, the nerves, the unknown. You were standing at the beginning of something big. Now, here you are on the other side.”

YHS teacher and longtime FFA adviser Matt Mounts began the graduation ceremony by issuing his regards to the outgoing class of students. He was followed by valedictorians John Leland, Magdalena Leland, Brook Smith and salutatorian Kendra Behrend, who each presented unique speeches to their classmates and audience members inside of the Tacoma Dome.

John Leland was the first YHS class of 2025 valedictorian to speak at the graduation ceremony, and he took the time to reflect on the hard work that he and his classmates have poured into their studies and extracurriculars throughout the last four years.

“Today, we are here to celebrate the effort, growth and learning that it took to get here,” John Leland said. “These past four years of high school have required hard work to get here. During that time, we have had the chance to explore. Many of us used that chance to discover new interests and to develop ourselves throughout those years. These experiences have allowed us to grow, and our achievements here are important to recognize.”

Magdalena Leland, the second valedictorian to speak at YHS’s 2025 graduation ceremony, took her time at the podium to thank God for providing her with the tools necessary to succeed in high school and beyond.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without God in my life,” Magdalena Leland said. “Senior year, I strengthened my relationship with God. Through the stress of school work, moving this summer, getting a job and going to college, there have been many times when I’ve let stress get the better of me, which only made things harder. But God reminds me He will never leave me, and He will be there for me more than anyone else could.”

Her classmate, Smith, took the opportunity at the podium to reflect on the person she’s transformed into throughout the last four years of education.

“When I was younger, I didn’t know who I was, but rather I tried to be someone that I thought everyone wanted me to be. I was quiet and reserved, and I definitely wouldn’t have imagined speaking in front of my class, much less all of you,” Smith said. “More than anything, I wanted to be well liked, and never stood out to do anything in fear of being bad at it. With all of this worrying, I never knew what peace was. Since then, I have learned that in order to get peace, I truly have to know myself.”

Behrend, the YHS class of 2025 salutatorian, used her time at the podium to give thanks to her family, who she described as the driving factor in her successes throughout life thus far.
“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve all that I have without the support and love from those around me. Whether it was motivating me to finish my school work, lending a shoulder to cry on, or telling me to take a deep breath and a break,” Behrend said. “My loved ones have been the driving factor in my ability to strive for and set goals. Thank you all for your incredible support. The past year was quite hectic for all of us. Our journey wasn’t always a straight line, but we persevered.