With Yelm High School’s graduation set for 9:30 a.m. at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, June 15, the Nisqually Valley News honors and celebrates all graduating students,
Each year, the Yelm School District typically highlights the top 10 graduating seniors from YHS. However, in 2025, one of the school’s Top 10 graduating students chose not to participate.
The Top Nine students are John Leland, Magdalena Leland, Brook Smith, Noah Cornwall, Emmy Huttmann, Jameson Patin, Savannah Walker, Radcliffe Cushman and Cassidy Krohn.
The students are ranked by GPA, and if there’s a duplicate GPA among students, they’re listed in alphabetical order.
John Leland
Yelm High School senior John Leland, who was involved with the school’s chess club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), will graduate with a GPA of 4.0. Following graduation, John will head to Indiana to find a job, preferably using Microsoft products as he’s certified “in many of them.” He’s hopeful to enroll in Indiana University South Bend to earn a degree in computer science. His favorite high school memory was during his junior year, around Christmas time, when he handed out Christmas cookies. He enjoyed seeing everyone’s reactions. The student noted his favorite teacher at YHS was Mr. Pollock, and his current favorite teacher is Mrs. McKay.
Magdalena Leland
Yelm High School senior Magdalena Leland, who was involved in the school’s chess club, show choir, and as a member of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), will graduate with a GPA of 4.0. Following graduation, Magdalena plans on attending college to receive a degree in education as she aspires to become an elementary school teacher. Magdalena was also a YHS choir member throughout all four years of high school, and her favorite memory was traveling to New York City with the choir to perform in Carnegie Hall. She noted she had a blast singing and understands she may never get a chance to sing there again. Her favorite teacher is YHS Choir Director Mr. Henderson.
Brook Smith
Yelm High School senior Brook Smith, who was involved in the school’s track program running the 400-meter race and the 4x200-meter relay, will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. During her time at YHS, she also participated in the Youth Legislature Club and was a member of National Honors Society. Following graduation, Smith will attend the University of Washington to major in political science. After she receives her bachelor’s degree, Smith intends to attend law school and pursue a career in the government. Her favorite teacher at YHS was Mrs. Wasankari, who Smith said gave her a passion for government and the confidence to be who she is today. Her favorite high school memory was attending YHS football games and “being able to cheer on our team,” which made her feel a lot of Tornado pride.
Noah Cornwall
Yelm High School senior Noah Cornwall, who participated in cross country, track, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, Chamber Choir and Jiu Jitsu as a student, will graduate with a 3.984 GPA. Following graduation, Cornwall will serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and once he’s returned he’ll attend Brigham Young University-Idaho, in Rexburg. His favorite memory from high school was the chamber choir’s trip to Carnegie Hall in New York City, where students performed the world premier of Requiem Xantolo. His favorite teacher was his cross country and track coach, Mr. McIntire, who has supported Cornwall and pushed the student to use mindset and discipline to achieve more.
Emmy Huttmann
Yelm High School senior Emmy Huttmann, who involved herself in dance at Move Dance Academy throughout her time at YHS, will graduate with a 3.98 GPA. During her time at YHS, she was a member of National Honor Society, and has raised, showed and sold sheep through the FFA program for the last five years. After graduation, Huttmann will attend Oregon State University in Corvallis, where she plans on majoring in astrophysics. She said even though high school had ups and downs, her favorite memories were ones she spent meeting and connecting with classmates and teachers. Her favorite teachers at YHS include Mr. Mounts, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. Hummel and all of the FFA advisers. She said they’ve supported her through everything and cared about her in a way no other teachers have.
Jameson Patin
Yelm High School senior Jameson Patin, who played soccer for three years and football for four years at YHS, will graduate with a 3.98 GPA. Following his graduation, Patin will attend Central Washington University to play football and receive his exercise science degree. He hopes to attend graduate school to receive his doctorate of physical therapy, and eventually open his own physical therapy office and practice. His favorite high school memories include “messing around” in calculus with his friends. He noted his favorite teachers from YHS were Mrs. George and Mr. Hume.
Savannah Walker
Yelm High School senior Savannah Walker, who played soccer for three years, powerlifted and volunteered with Unified Soccer and Unified Basketball at YHS, will graduate with a 3.979 GPA. She was also part of helping with the blood drive at New Market Skills Center, and has participated in nursing competitions at SkillsUSA. After graduation, Walker will attend Saint Martin’s University to receive her RN/BSN. She hopes to work in the operating room as a surgical nurse. Her favorite memories in high school were related to the two sports she did, noting soccer, where she fulfilled a role as team captain, was a passion for her. She added that powerlifting also holds a special place in her heart. Her favorite teacher at YHS was Mr. Cadero, but she also shouted out New Market Skills Center teachers Jaimee and Megan.
Radcliffe Cushman
Yelm High School senior Radcliffe Cushman, who participated in FBLA and FFA as an officer and was ASB secretary, will graduate with a 3.97 GPA. He also served as technical director in the theatre club, and performed in New York City at Carnegie Hall. After graduation, Cushman will study urban planning, political science and environmental science at the University of Washington. He said his favorite memory was the 2024 Choir Tour where he said the circumstances “made for quite a tale.” His favorite teachers included Ms. Wikoff, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Hume and Mrs. Hummel.
Cassidy Krohn
Yelm High School senior Cassidy Kron, who participated in tennis during her junior year and volunteered many times throughout her tenure as a student, will graduate with a 3.9 GPA. After graduation, she’ll continue her education at South Puget Sound Community College to study in their dental assistant program. After she graduates from SPSCC, she’s hopeful to attend Pierce College or Eastern Washington University to study in their dental hygiene program.
Yelm High School’s 2025 Graduates
Donovan Abkemeier
Aysia Acfalle
Caelean Achuff
Loegan Ahrens
Evelyn Alexander
Gavyn Allen
Constantine Anderson
Adrian Andrade
Victor Aparicio-Pamatz
Azhar Archer
Lauren Ashcraft
Hope Bachus
Timothy Bahena-Rojas
Brilee Baker
Faith Baker
David Barber
Cameron Barlow
Zhiane Beaney
Joshua Beecroft
Kendra Behrend
Aaron Bell
Nathan Bellows
Samantha Blank
Caidense Bohl
Alyssa Bonham
Alma Bowers
Taliah Boyd
Ashton Brandon-Fritz
Emma Brewer
Zoey Brown
Josh Andrei Buban
Dawson Burbank
Jayden Butler
Jordyn Butler
Gabriel Caamano
Addison Cahill
Katie Camarillo
Ethan Cardoza
Jakob Caron
Lyric Carter
Bryce Case
Vanessa Cassel
Jillian Chamberlain
Madison Chamberlain
Sydney Chamberlain
Lilly Chase
Carlos Chavez
Aiden Chelani
Renner Clary
Kylie Cole
Ashley Collette
Jack Connell
Emily Corbin
Noah Cornwall
Zachary Coulthard
Shane Creegan
Vanessa Crow
Taylor Curzon
Radcliffe Cushman
Angelina Davenport
Aidan Davis
Myami Amelia Davis
Ryah Davis
Sapphire Deibell
Salma Diaz
Launarose Dominguez
Brian Donahue
Marshall Donovan
Holly Dorhauer
Kaitlyn Dover
Vicktor Duffy
Charles Dvorak
Marley Eafford
Carter Edwards
Orville Eide
Dylan Elisalda
Isaac Ellis
Mason Embrey
Joshua Endsley
Romeo Espinosa
Rhema Ferguson
Dominic Fernandez
Genesis Finch
Cristian Flores
Julian Flores
Malaki Flores
Darren Flowers
Nathan Ford
Isabelle Forslund
Daniel Fountain
Bailie Fowler
Benjamin Fowler
Adrionna Gaines
Natasha Gallardo-Carreon
Lizbeth Gamino
Stacia Gardner
Drew Gatlin
Cami Gaynor
Tyler Gerber
Cassiah Gilliland
Shawn Gilpatrick
Teia Giroux
Deegan Golden
Sarah Gong
Jasmin Gonzales
Alex Goodrich
Cierra Goodwin
Brookelynn Gordon
Calvin Gossett
Michael Gossett
Carson Gourley
Aiden Gray
Tyler Gray
Braden Green
Tyler Greer
Perla Gutierrez Espino
Evan Hall
Anthony Harden
Josiah Hardie
Samantha Harley
Maycie Harp
Nickolas Harrington
Garrett Harrison
Nevaeh Hash
Christopher Hauss
Victor Hazen
Jennie Hendrickson
Nathanial Hensley
Triniti Hickman
Layah Hicks
Natalie Hidalgo
Nena Higginbotham
Trinity Hill
Angeleah Hinckle
Austin Hitchner
Cora Hobbs
Haven Hodge
Kohl Hogan
Lilyana Hollis
Kaleb Holman
Conlan Holmes
Jolene Howard
Nathaniel Hume
Mckenzie Hunt
Victorya Hunt
Brooke Hurajt
Alexander Hurd
Emily Huttmann
Audrey Hyder
Caiden Hynek
Jorie Ide
Eliana Interiano
Aleshya Ivy
Elicia Jackson
William Jeffers
Gabrielle Jefferson
Hayden Jensen
Vanessa Jimenez
Alexander Johnson
Chloe Jordan
Moira Jordan
Daniel Jung
Nathan Kasnick
Aurora Keller
Harrison Kendall
Harrison Ketenci
Kylie Kirsten
Joshua Knechtel
Mose Knight
