Class of 2025 Take Center Stage at MPUSD Senior Recognition Night
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2025
CONTACT
Marci McFadden | Chief of Communications
831.706.6971
Class of 2025 Take Center Stage at MPUSD Senior Recognition Night
MPUSD Celebrated the Class of 2025 During Annual Senior Recognition Night at Board of Education Meeting
Monterey, CA - The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education honored more than 80 outstanding seniors during its annual Senior Recognition Night on May 13, 2025, during its regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. Students from Central Coast, Marina, Monterey, and Seaside high schools were recognized by their principals for academic achievement, leadership, resilience, visual and performing arts, athletics, and more. Full presentation may be found HERE.
“This night is one of our proudest traditions,” said PK Diffenbaugh, Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. “Each senior recognized represents the spirit of excellence and perseverance, and they inspire us with their commitment to their future and our community.”
The Class of 2025 from all four schools will occur on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The time for each school is noted below. The media is invited to attend. Contact Marci McFadden in advance via email ([email protected]), call, or text (831.706.6971) for media credential and parking.
- 9:30 a.m. | Seaside High School
- 11:30 a.m. | Central Coast High School
- 1:30 p.m. | Monterey High School
- 5:30 p.m. | Marina High School
Highlights from the Class of 2025 honorees
Central Coast High School
Valedictorian Electra Thomas graduated early with a 3.7 GPA and plans to pursue culinary arts. Max Wing, recognized with both the Principal’s Award and Visual and Performing Arts Student of the Year, made her mark as a leader in campus murals and art. The Resilience Award went to Giovanny Gallo, who arrived struggling to read and is now an avid learner pursuing a trade. Xavier Allen, Career Technical Education Student of the Year, found passion and purpose through culinary arts and an internship at Il Vecchio in Pacific Grove.
Marina High School
Valedictorian Marwa Sahak earned four associate degrees, founded three clubs, and is headed to Harvard to study neuroscience. Salutatorian Isabella Pia, President of the National Honor Society, will study Animal Science at UC Davis after earning two associate degrees and completing research internships. Career Technical Education Student of the Year Dominic Sanchez Diaz was honored for his leadership in culinary arts, while Kailee Jaskowiak stood out in Visual and Performing Arts for her imaginative dinosaur sculptures and fearless artistic approach.
Monterey High School
Valedictorian Zahra Sellami, an IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma candidate with a 4.6 GPA, founded a STEM education nonprofit and will attend UCLA for bioengineering. Sebastian Sloan earned dual honors as Career Technical Education Student of the Year and Principal’s Recognition Awardee for his leadership in digital arts and theater. Angel Bahena was the school’s sole graduate to complete the IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) and earn an Associated in Arts degree in Ethnic Studies while participating in numerous clubs and leadership roles. Brooklynn Choates was celebrated for her vibrant presence in athletics, yearbook, and student life.
Seaside High School
Valedictorian Addison Kirk earned two associate degrees, led the swim team, and was active in student leadership and the Black Student Alliance. Ulises Perez, one of two Spartan Dreamer honorees, balanced three jobs while supporting his mother in Mexico and earned the Evans Scholarship to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist. Lorrena McCafferty, Career Technical Education Student of the Year, was honored for her leadership and volunteerism. Yahairi Nunez Ruiz was recognized in Visual and Performing Arts for her dedication to both choir and band and her leadership in the Music Education Club.
MPUSD congratulates the entire Class of 2025 for their exceptional achievements and contributions to their schools and communities. While not all students are highlighted above, each and every one of them is exceptional, and we celebrate their unique journeys and successes.
Full List of 2025 Senior Recognitions
Central Coast High School
- Valedictorian: Electra Thomas
- Salutatorian: Kashia Rasico
- Principal’s Recognition: Max Wing
- Resilience Award: Giovanny Gallo, Zaideth Soto
- Career Technical Education Student of the Year: Xavier Allen
- Visual and Performing Arts Student of the Year: Max Wing
Marina High School
- Valedictorian: Marwa Sahak
- Salutatorian: Isabella Pia
- Principal’s Recognition (Judy Luckert Award): Announced at Graduation
- Mariner Award: Announced at Graduation
- Career Technical Education Student of the Year: Dominic Sanchez Diaz
- Visual and Performing Arts: Kailee Jaskowiak, Leo Vo, Jayden Ayon
- Dual Enrollment Associated in Arts Degree and/or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum):
- Marwa Sahak
- Isabella Pia
- Jaela Gutierrez
- Leri Anne Dantes
- Arlette Espinoza Ortiz
- Sheyla Bueno
- Scholar Athletes:
- Tarin Riner
- Mia Martin
- Jaredyn Lagrimas
Monterey High School
- Valedictorian: Zahra Sellami
- Salutatorian: Remi Morgan
- Principal’s Recognition:
- Brooklynn Choates
- Jeremiah McLemore
- Giada Nuovo
- Sebastian Sloan
- Mascot Award: Willa Olalia
- Career Technical Education Student of the Year: Sebastian Sloan
- Visual and Performing Arts Student of the Year: Frida Vossler
- Dual Enrollment Associated in Arts Degree and IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum): Angel Bahena
- IB Diploma Candidates: Alayna Rule, Alisson Gomez, Andreas Inatowitz, Andres Espinoza Montesinos, Audrey Wasbauer, Augustine Ma, Austin Overmeyer, Ba Thanh Santiago, Charissa Wang, Davenport Dickerman, David Layne, Eastin Jennings, Elisiana Tracey, Isabella Randazzo, Jennifer Reyes Valencia, Jordyn McGirt, Kaitlyn Kuyper, Katerina Rose Herr, Maryam Mousa, Mia Elizabeth Herr, Neassa Kelly, Nixon Mitchell, Raelin Allen, Remi Morgan, Sahar Elyas, Samantha McFarlane, Samar Elyas, Sami Sidig, Saniya Majid, Sreenivas Rajesh, and Zahra Sellami.
- Iron Athletes: Aundrea Boykin, Griffin Burnett, Eastin Jennings, Wendy Jeronimo-Aguilar, Zillah Landrum, Elias Majano, Remi Morgan, Maria Isabella “Ella” Myers, Maryam Mousa, Chanel Nielsen, Tiffany Nielsen, Lily Smith
- Athletes of the Year: Maria Isabella “Ella” Myers, Kavon Collins
Seaside High School
- Valedictorian: Addison Kirk
- Salutatorian: Shreya Singh
- Principal’s Recognition:
- Reyna Abadilla
- Brian Barroso Barragan
- Etana Borum
- Spartan Dreamer:
- Ulises Perez
- Juan Cadavid
- Mascot Award: Patricia Cavero
- Career Technical Education Student of the Year: Lorrena McCafferty
- Tech Scholar: Evan Charan
- Dual Enrollment Associated in Arts or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum):
- Addison Kirk (Associated in Arts Degree)
- Nathaniel Reid IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum)
- Student Athletes:
- Julius Escort
- Ashley Jayubo
- Keon Ealey
- Visual and Performing Arts: Yahairi Nunez Ruiz
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