More than 1,850 El Monte Union High School District graduates were celebrated with music, cultural tributes, and fireworks during a series of commencement ceremonies that honored the Class of 2025 on May 28 and June 5.

Graduation Highlights Across the District

More than 1,850 El Monte Union graduates took center stage during commencement celebrations held May 28 and June 5, marking the Class of 2025’s accomplishments with tributes, performances, and fireworks. Students from the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) were honored at ceremonies that emphasized community, culture, and perseverance.

Graduates from all six high schools—El Monte, Arroyo, Rosemead, Mountain View, South El Monte, and Fernando R. Ledesma—as well as El Monte-Rosemead Adult School and Granada Adult Transition Center, were recognized for their resilience and achievements. The ceremonies highlighted student success stories and acknowledged a broad range of post-graduation paths, from enrollment in elite universities to career training and military service.

Students Headed to Top Universities

This year’s El Monte Union graduates have been accepted to top-tier institutions, including Yale, Georgetown, Princeton, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, USC, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and UCLA. Others are enrolling in community colleges, trade programs, or entering the workforce and military.

The Class of 2025 earned distinctions such as the State Seal of Biliteracy, California Scholarship Federation Gold Seal, QuestBridge National College Match, and Edison International scholarships. South El Monte High School’s Andrea Pablo concluded her service as the District’s Student Board Member, recognized for her student leadership and advocacy.

El Monte Union Graduates Celebrate Cultural Pride

Each ceremony reflected the diverse cultures represented in El Monte Union schools. Graduates wore colorful stoles, waved flags representing their heritage, and participated in choir and band performances. At Fernando R. Ledesma High School, one student proudly displayed her cultural graduation shawl while crossing the stage. El Monte High School’s ceremony marked another milestone as graduates became the first to walk across the stage at the school’s newly modernized athletics complex.

The events began on May 28 with El Monte-Rosemead Adult School, where adult learners received diplomas surrounded by friends and family. On June 5, Granada Adult Transition Center hosted an Aloha-themed graduation before ceremonies commenced at all six comprehensive high schools.

Words of Pride and Encouragement

Speeches by valedictorians, salutatorians, and school leaders provided heartfelt reflections and encouragement. Arroyo High School Class President Eduardo Morales reminded classmates of their journey, stating, “We entered this District as unsure freshmen, faced challenges we never expected, and now stand ready in our caps and gowns to take on the world.”

EMUHSD Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga praised the graduates’ resilience, saying, “This remarkable class of graduates has shown exceptional perseverance, resilience, and heart. Their determination has inspired our entire community.”

Board of Trustees President Florencio Briones echoed those sentiments. “Our graduates are not just students; they’re champions who turned obstacles into stepping stones. I am confident I stand before the leaders of tomorrow.”

El Monte Union Graduates Inspire Community Support

As students crossed the stage, their families captured every moment. Each ceremony ended with the alma mater, heartfelt farewells, and a fireworks finale, bringing the school year to a close with celebration and pride.

The accomplishments of the El Monte Union graduates reflect the strength, diversity, and commitment of the communities they represent. As these students take their next steps—whether in higher education, skilled trades, the military, or the workforce—they carry with them the values and support of El Monte Union schools.

To view full recordings of each 2025 graduation ceremony, visit the El Monte Union High School District website or access individual school pages through the EMUHSD graduation page.

This article was produced with support from VMA Communications and the El Monte Union High School District. Special thanks to both teams for providing event details, quotes, and photography that captured the spirit of the Class of 2025. For more information about VMA Communications, visit their website located vmapr.com.