San Angelo ISD congratulates the Lake View High School Class of 2025 future-ready graduates! The LVHS Graduation Ceremony celebrating 210 graduating students was held Saturday morning, May 24, 2025 at the CRC Roofers Coliseum. 

The ceremony began with a grand procession of graduates, accompanied by the Chieftain Band, Orchestra and Mariachi Los Caciques, under the direction of Franklin Piland, performing “Pomp and Circumstance.” Cheers and applause echoed through the coliseum as proud families and friends welcomed the graduates.

Lake View High School Principal Zach Ramirez opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and praised the perseverance of this year’s graduates. “Today isn’t just about caps and gowns or walking across the stage,” he said. “Today is about recognizing the real journey you all have been on.”

Mr. Ramirez encouraged the graduates to think independently in a world full of noise. “Don’t let others dictate your thoughts,” he said. “...the most powerful thing you can do is to think and speak for yourself.” 

He urged the graduates to seek knowledge, question assumptions, and engage deeply with the world around them. “Be aware of the world that surrounds you and understand the world before you,” he said. “The future belongs to those who are curious, courageous and committed to learning. Not just what to think, but how to think.”

The Lake View JROTC presented and posted the colors, followed by graduate Ariana Reese leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Tommy Jackson leading the Texas Pledge, and Ava Rodriguez delivering the invocation.

In attendance were members of the SAISD Board of Trustees Dr. Taylor Kingman, Mrs. Ami Mizell-Flint, Mr. Gerard Gallegos, Mr. Bill Dendle, Dr. Kyle Mills, Mrs. Pam Duncan and outgoing board member Mrs. Lupita Arroyo. Representing district leadership were Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran, along with Dr. Farrah Gomez, Dr. Merl Brandon, Dr. Raelye Self, Dr. Jason Skelton, Board of Trustees: Dr. Taylor Kingman, Mrs. Ami Mizell-Flint, Mr. Gerard Gallegos, Mr. Bill Dendle, Dr. Kyle Mills, Mrs. Pam Duncan and former Single Member District 2 Trustee Mrs. Lupita Arroyo. Also present were district leaders including Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran, along with Dr. Farrah Gomez, Dr. Merl Brandon, Dr. Raelye Self, Dr. Jason Skelton and Mrs. Shannon Schwartz.

In his graduate address, San Angelo ISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Moran, provided a few motivating words. “It’s a great day in San Angelo ISD and Lake View High School,” he said. “You all have made it to the start line. This is just where it begins …  I’ve got three quick thoughts for our seniors that I’d like you to consider as you walk out of here. Because you’re beginning on your life’s journey and you’re going to need three things: you’re going to need strong roots, you’re going to need to make great choices and you’re going to have to have clear priorities.”

Drawing inspiration from the towering Redwood and Sequoia trees of California and their interconnected root systems, Dr. Moran highlighted how the shallow yet widespread root systems of Sequoia trees thrive through connection – reminding students of the strength found honesty and integrity, and surrounding oneself with a supportive community. 

“A tree like that you would think would have very deep roots,” Dr. Moran said. “Interestingly the roots only go down about 20 feet but they spread out about 300 feet because Sequoia trees do not survive alone; they depend on the other Sequoia trees and the root system. Their roots fuse together. They intertwine with one another. They share nutrients and they share the strength of holding one another up in a storm … so think about your roots today. What are your roots? Honesty, integrity, faithfulness, forgiveness. Those kind of roots will carry you through a storm.  And I encourage you to find others who have the same kind of roots. Fuse your roots together. Life is too difficult to go it alone. Find good friends and have strong roots.” 

Dr. Moran also urged graduates to learn from the mistakes of others and to understand the importance of timing in decision-making. Lastly, Dr. Moran challenged the class to live intentionally, focusing on what truly matters. He closed by quoting Mother Teresa, sending the Class of 2025 into their next chapter with confidence and a sense of purpose. “‘Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.’”

Next to the stage was class Salutatorian, Joselyne Sanchez, who delivered a heartfelt and personal speech during the graduation ceremony, reflecting on her journey and the strength of her classmates. Joselyne Sanchez, the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, credited her parents’ courage and perseverance as the foundation of her success. 

“My parents came to this country with little more than hope in their hearts and a vision for a better future,” Joselyn said. “They came here with more courage than money, more faith than certainty and more resilience than stability. Despite not having much they gave me everything.”  

Joselyn also expressed deep gratitude to her teachers and friends, acknowledging the lasting impact of their support. She celebrated her peers’ resilience, calling them a generation that has grown up in a fast-changing world. She ended her speech with a touching plea for her peers to stay connected: “Please don’t become a stranger to me.”

Valedictorian, Christian Lambaren, was next to the stage. He described the high school experience as a long climb – sometimes through a blizzard – but emphasized that each challenge was a stepping stone to growth. He celebrated the friendships formed and milestones reached, from passing difficult classes to supporting each other through hard times. Christian urged his peers to overcome fear and self-doubt by pursuing their passions. “‘Live as if there’s no tomorrow and find the thrill in today,’” he said, quoting actor Paul Walker. “The greatest memories in life all start with taking the first step. So take that first step and follow your passion and start living the life you want. Follow your dreams that you've had since you were five years old. And make your younger self proud that you are doing what you truly love. Life is what you make of it. And to make it a great one you must pursue what makes you happy. Life waits for nothing so don't wait to start yours.”

Christian also thanked parents, teachers and friends for their guidance and support. “Thank you to all the people that have been in our lives and have helped us get to where we are today,” he said. “Thank you to our parents for being there for every every step of the way and when we needed some advice on life … Thank you to all our friends for pushing each other to our very limits and building everlasting friendships and memories with one another. Thank you faculty for believing in us, building bonds with our class and putting up with our work for so many years.”

Following Christian’s speech, Lake View High School Principal Zach Ramirez took a moment to recognize members of the National Honor Society and students who achieved high grade point averages, applauding their dedication and academic excellence.

Mr. Ramirez then officially presented the Class of 2025 to the San Angelo ISD Board of Trustees. Board Treasurer Bill Dendle proudly accepted the graduating class on behalf of the Board, marking the formal conclusion of the students’ high school journey and the beginning of their next chapter.

Following the presentations of diplomas, Austin Henry gave the Benediction. The Class of 2025 then shared one last singing of the LVHS School Song accompanied by the Lake View Choir and Mariachi Los Caciques before tossing their caps and celebrating with families and friends. 

The full livestream recording of the Lake View High School graduation ceremony is available below or on the SAISD YouTube channel. The recording was broadcast on SAISDtv, Optimum Channel 4 in San Angelo and will continue to air on Channel 4 for two weeks after the ceremony. 

San Angelo ISD is incredibly proud of the LVHS Class of 2025 and their outstanding achievements. This milestone marks not only the close of an important chapter but the exciting beginning of their future endeavors. To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X.