Antioch Police Officer Tryner was on the lookout for stolen cars, so when dispatch got calls about a sideshow spinning up, he rolled just in time to see a black Dodge Challenger doing donuts like it was auditioning for Fast & Furious: Antioch Drift.
The car didn’t make the cut. Its rear tires were blown, the driver was heavily intoxicated, and surprise the vehicle was stolen.
One is in custody, the stolen car recovered, and yep… we’re back at it again Sunday.
A few members of the Antioch High Class of 2025 graduates toss their caps into the air to celebrate at Eells Stadium on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
The 340 graduates of the Antioch High School Class of 2025 – smaller than in recent years – were celebrated inside Eells Stadium on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. They entered the field to the traditional sound of Pomp and Circumstance. The Presentation of Colors was provided by the U.S. Marines Color Guard and the National Anthem, known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played over the loudspeakers as all in attendance stood at attention out of respect to begin the ceremony.
Principal John Jimno and ASB President Fifita Grewe lead the Class of 2025 into Eells Stadium for the graduation ceremony.
Fifita Grewe, Associated Student Body President “for the second year in a row” – she pointed out, was the first to speak to the graduates and audience.
“To all my family and friends, and boyfriend, of course, thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders. I love you all,” she stated. “We are celebrating the beginning of a new journey. High school was definitely not easy. But with the support…I was able to push through.”
The U.S. Marines Color Guard and ASB President Fifita Grewe stand at attention for the National Anthem before speaking to her fellow graduates.
“Don’t wait until all the good times are just good memories. Enjoy them now,” Grewe encouraged her fellow classmates. “It’s never a good-bye. It’s see you later.”
Principal Jimno speaks to the graduates.
Principal John Jimno welcomed everyone to the commencement ceremony and introduced the other student speakers.
Salutatorian Grace Fung spoke of her grandmother who did not get an education because it was not allowed for females.
She also spoke of her parents who are both deaf “living in a silent world.”
Many of the graduates decorated their caps with special messages.
Fung then asked her classmates, “Who’s ready to jump into the end portal with me?” making a reference to the Minecraft online game.
“The game doesn’t end here,” she stated. “I thought high school was the end game. Life is not a linear path. Life doesn’t end here. This is only the first of many…battles we will face.”
“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did to,” Fung encouraged the graduates. “This is only the beginning.”
Class Salutatorian Grace Fung (left) and Valedictorian Zack Gregson (right) share their thoughts with the graduates.
Class Valedictorian, Zack Gregson, spoke next, saying, “You all challenged me to grow as a student but also as a person. The connections I made at this school made it more memorable.”
He then spoke briefly in Spanish which was met with a round of applause.
“Over the past four years we’ve changed both externally and in character,” he continued. “We’ve been fortunate enough to call this school our home.”
“Discipline was the quiet force that brought us all to this stage today. It’s the difference between wishing and doing,” Gregson stated. “We’re here because we kept going. That’s something to be proud of. Let’s take the same discipline and courage with us. Keep showing up. Keep moving forward.”
He spoke in Spanish, again and then ended with, “Congratulations, everyone. We earned this. We’ve already proven we could do hard things. Now let’s do great ones.”
The graduates received their diplomas from School Board Trustee Dee Brown (left) and Board President Antonio Hernandez (right) on stage at Eells Stadium.
Principal Jimno then offered his thoughts saying, “It is an honor and privilege to stand before this graduating class. It’s been so fun to watch you grow and come together as a class.”
“One thing that stands out about this class is your service to others,” he stated. “You have truly inspired me.”
Graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas on Wednesday, July 11, 2025.
Interim Antioch Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne then offered the official acceptance of the Class of 2025, having met all the state and district requirements for graduation.
Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha offered a few words, as well, and reminded the graduates, “you’ll always be a Panther and bleed black and gold.”
The class members then received their diplomas from Trustee Dee Brown and Board President Antonio Hernandez as they crossed the stage to the cheers of friends and family.
Senior Class President Aeowynne Magototo offered Closing Remarks and led her classmates in the turning of the tassels. She’ll be attending UC Davis in the fall.
The AHS Class of 2025 graduates turn their tassels under the leadership of Class President Aeowynne Magototo.
“Wow. High school is over on a random Wednesday morning,” she said with a chuckle.
Magtoto spoke of her parents, “Emigrating me and my sisters to America” and then spoke briefly in her native Filipino language of Tagalog.
“I want you to take this chance to reflect,” she continued. Referring to the graduates’ shared experience during COVID Magtoto said, “We went from online screens to wearing masks. We were lucky to have all four years on campus.”
“Life isn’t a fairy tale. Tender bruises, growing pains have shaped me into the person I am today,” she stated.
“We are young and wild. There’s nothing stopping us,” Magtoto implored her classmates. “Don’t forget to live in the moment of ‘alwaysness’. We’ve waited our entire lives for this moment.”
She then led the graduates in the turning of the tassels on their graduation caps signifying the completion of the ceremony. A very few tossed their caps into the air to celebrate, and they exited the stadium to the sounds of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration”, as family and friends met their graduates on the field and surrounding Mike Hurd Track.
Come out on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14th at 11AM as the VFW will officially rename Antioch VFW Post 6435 in honor of John McMullen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran and lifelong Antioch resident who dedicated his life to this community — even helping build the very VFW building we’re naming after him!
And what better day than the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday to celebrate John’s legacy of service? We’re honored to welcome Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal and other local officials for this special dedication. Let’s come together to celebrate John’s life, service, and the values that unite us. Don’t miss this powerful tribute to a true hometown hero!
A few graduates of the Deer Valley High Class of 2025 tossed their caps into the air to celebrate following the ceremony Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
Deer Valley High School celebrated 331 graduates in the Class of 2025 inside Wolverine Stadium Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. The traditional processional of Pomp and Circumstance was performed by the Deer Valley Band led by Music Director Ryan Carr. That was followed by the Presentation of Colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard. The National Anthem was announced by Salutatorian Jordynn Chung and performed by the Deer Valley Divine Voices led by Choral Director Alivia Logan. Vice Principal Mike Green served as Master of Ceremonies.
The Divine Voices performed the National Anthem following the Presentation of Colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard.
Opening remarks were offered by Antioch Unified School District Board President Antonio Hernandez who spoke of his own journey through Antioch schools and will be graduating with two master’s degrees from Stanford University in public policy and education.
Principal Veronica McClennan welcomed all in attendance and offered her appreciation saying, “To the family and friends, you have been a guiding voice for these graduates. You have shaped who they are, who they’ll become.”
Vice Principal Mike Green served as Master of Ceremonies and Principal Veronica McClennan offered her remarks Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025.
“To the teachers, coaches and staff, your guidance goes well beyond the grade. You have…believed in our students,” she continued.
McClennan then offered encouraging, departing words to the graduates.
“To our graduating Wolverines…you are stepping into this world…full of promise,” she stated. “You are ready to enter this world to write your story. Be bold, be courageous, be humble.”
“Remember, success is measured by impact. Congratulations, graduates. We are already incredibly proud of you,” McClennan added.
Class President Priscilla Rodriguez and Valedictorian Zeb-Alexander Congson share their thoughts with their classmates.
Class Speakers
Class President Priscilla Rodriguez spoke first acknowledging, “the families who motivated us and kept pushing us to the end.”
“Thank you to our teachers…who made a big impact on our lives,” she continued.
Trustees Dee Brown (left) and Antonio Hernandez (right) hand out diplomas to the graduates.
To her fellow classmates Rodriguez said, “I wish you all nothing but the best because the world doesn’t know what’s coming next. Only you do.”
Valedictorian Zeb-Alexander Congson, who will be attending UC Berkeley and studying aerospace engineering, also thanked the families, his fellow classmates and the faculty.
“Your belief in us is what made this rare moment possible,” he stated.
With help from the Honor Guard graduates queue up to receive their diplomas.
Then speaking about his own experience Congson said, “I never wanted to be a scholar, an athlete. It wasn’t until my first volleyball try out that my thinking began to shift. That one push kick started four seasons. I realized how much I gained from one step into one unfamiliar territory.”
To his fellow graduates he advised, “It won’t always be easy. But growth is rarely easy. Push your comfort zone.”
Several graduates expressed their excitement upon receiving their diplomas.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne then offered the official acceptance of the Class of 2025, having met all the state and district requirements for graduation.
The Divine Voices performed again, singing, “Shine Like Stars” and “It’s So Hard to Say Good-bye”.
Then the graduates enjoyed what they all looked forward to, receiving their diplomas. Math Department Chair Maria McClain and Math Instructor Jessika Tate read the names, as Area 3 Trustee Dee Brown and Hernandez, who represents the District’s Area 1, handed out the diplomas.
The traditional turning of the tassels was led by Class President Priscilla Rodriguez.
Senior Class President Rodriguez returned to the stage to lead the class in the turning of their tassels to conclude the ceremony. A few graduates followed the celebratory tradition of tossing into the air their caps – many of which were decorated with personal messages.
Many graduates decorated their caps with personal messages.
Congratulations to the Deer Valley High Class of 2025!
