The community of Berkeley High School’s Arts and Humanities Academy (AHA) gathered on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the Freight & Salvage to celebrate the graduating class of 2025.
The ceremony was introduced by AHA teachers John Becker and Emma Auer. The two delivered a speech about how deeply connected they feel to their small school and how much they care about their students.
Graduating students took the stage in small groups, with each student being presented with a sash and an opportunity to give an individual speech on their high school experience.
The speeches were full of gratitude not only to friends and family, but towards numerous AHA teachers. Students described their teachers as people who provided them with a safe environment, helping not only on an academic level, but also a personal one. Many students cited the AHA retreat as a cherished experience that brought the class closer together. One student speech, delivered by Johanz Carl Bayonas, described AHA as a place where students are “taught not just a subject but how to think wisely.”
In his speech, senior Lorenzo Hernandez stated that joining AHA was a transformative experience. “(I was) finally surrounded by people who saw art to the degree that I saw it.”
Once the student speeches had concluded, student speaker Madelline Melendez Garcia took the stage to deliver a poignant address to the audience. This was followed by AHA scholarship and senior awards presented by counselor Lucia Cortez.
The emotional night felt like a true goodbye from the students of AHA to high school and each other. Though nearly every student spoke very fondly of their experience in AHA and at BHS, there was also a palpable excitement for the future. Student speaker Ella Howard said, “I’m embracing what I’ve already lived, but preparing myself for what is going to happen.”