Pioneer awards diplomas at 57th Commencement Ceremony

Pioneer High School’s Class of 2025 came together for the final time at the 57th Commencement Ceremony on June 5th at Eastern Michigan University’s George Gervin Game Above Center. The 438 graduates were challenged to be bold, be extraordinary, to be a Pioneer.

Pioneer’s Class of 2025 has already proven to be bold and extraordinary with their accomplishments this school year. This includes students excelling in the performing arts; state championships in girls field hockey, swim and dive and synchronized swimming; students participating in about 90 clubs and 21 National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

Pioneer Principal Desmond Smith addresses the Class of 2025 at the Commencement Ceremony.

Principal Desmond Smith gave the Class of 2025 three pieces of advice. Smith urged the graduates to follow their heart in what they do in the future. He said they should find a group or someone that encourages and motivates them to be the best for themselves. Finally, he said be kind, loving and caring to all you cross paths with. “The older you get, the smaller this world becomes,” Smith said. “You will meet people in seasons, and you’ll believe that you will never see them again. Then 20 years down the road, you’re going to run into that person. They may be a boss where you’re interviewing to work there, they may be someone that you have to work with, or work for, but what I want you to do is to always remember to be kind, be loving and be caring because you never know what lasting impression you may have on someone.”

Student Keynote Speaker Ndeye Diop gives her speech at the Commencement Ceremony.

Class of 2025 Student Keynote Speaker Ndeye Diop highlighted that when they arrived at Pioneer coming out of quarantine the school felt enormous but now the building that once intimidated us feels so small compared to the world that lies ahead. Diop thanked the Pioneer staff and families, especially immigrant families like hers for all they did to help the Class of 2025 get where they are today.

Diop also thanked her classmates for creating a support system and an accepting environment that embraces everyone’s culture and heritage that made their Pioneer experience what it was. “We have spent some of the most formative years together,” Diop said. “We didn’t just attend the same school or graduate together, we grew up together. No matter where we go next, we carry with us the lessons we’ve learned from everyone, to challenge ourselves, to lean on others and to give back the way others gave to us.”

Pioneer math teacher Joseph O'Connell gives the Class of 2025 Student Choice Keynote Speech.

The graduates chose math teacher Joseph O’Connell to give the keynote speech. He suggested that if they wanted to hear a really good graduation speech they should look up Denzel Washington’s fall-forward speech to the University of Pennsylvania because the one O’Connell was going to deliver a short and sweet message.

O’Connell actually focused on the fact that failure is inevitable, but that it won’t define their lives. He shared he failed for years to even get a date with the woman he’s now been married to for over 20 years. Those failures over years were pivotal in teaching him the lessons that he needed to learn. “Your failures may feel like they are mounting,” O’Connell said. “But remember, they’re actually stacking one on top of the other to teach you the lessons that you will need in order to find true happiness and success when the time is right.”

Pioneer graduate Isabel Rivera gives the Class of 2025, Senior Call to Action speech at the Commencement Ceremony.

The line from a Taylor Swift song, “The lights are so bright, but they never blind me,” was at the core of Isabel Rivera’s Class of 2025, Senior Call to Action. Rivera told the class to think of that lyric as a reminder and a challenge as they head into the unknown and look to build a future that reflects our values and voices. “We can’t let fear or doubt stop us from seeing what’s possible,” Rivera said. “Everyone of us has the power to shape our future, not by waiting for opportunities to come to us, but by chasing them down, by saying yes when it would be easier to say no, by speaking up when it would be easier to stay quiet, by choosing action even when it’s uncomfortable.”

In authorizing the presentation of diplomas, AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks told the Class of 2025 that they have everything that it takes to move forward and make their mark in the world in positive and profound ways. “We cannot wait to see all of the things you will continue to achieve,” Parks said. “May your journey be filled with joy, success and the continued display of resilience that defines you.”

Musical performances included the A Cappella Choir singing Measure Me, Sky, the Symphony Band performing Windprints and graduating senior members of the A Cappella Choir leading the singing of Pioneer’s Alma Mater, The Purple, and White.