“Every time you speak your truth, you remind others that they can too,” Jocelyn Mae Sandiego, co-president of Asian Pacific Islander Club (APIC) and one of the emcees of Berkeley High School’s Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) graduation, said in her speech celebrating her Filipino heritage. The ways the graduates can impact others in their community was a recurring theme of the event, which occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Berkeley Methodist United Church.
Berkeley’s mayor Adena Ishii made the first speech, speaking of the incarceration of her Japanese relatives and her high school experience. She referenced her achievement as Berkeley’s first Asian American mayor and first female mayor of color, reminding graduates that what they do in the future can leave a lasting impact. “No matter what field you end up going into, it’s so important that we’re blazing trails as Asian American leaders … and so I hope that as you move forward in these next steps that you think about the mark you can make in our society,” Ishii said.
Her speech was followed by a song in Tagalog performed by Jessica A. Hipona and Eostrix Garcia-Freedman; speeches by both APIC presidents; and a Japanese song on the piano performed by student Miyabi Schroth. As each graduating senior’s name was called, they were given the chance to thank a few people who had supported them during high school.
Another highlight of the event was an emotional, inspiring speech by APIC co-president and emcee Marianne Mah.
“As we step into this next chapter, may we honor those who came before us by continuing to build, not for ourselves but for the generations (to) come after us,” Mah said.