FONTANA, CA – More than 2,900 Fontana Unified School District’s (FUSD) Class of 2025 graduates celebrated a milestone to remember, capturing joyful moments, from walking across the stage to singing alma maters and celebrating under streams of confetti, on phones and handheld camcorders to relive for years to come.

Fontana Unified held eight commencement ceremonies for its seven high schools and one adult school on May 22 at the Ontario Convention Center and May 27-28 at the Toyota Arena. This year’s graduating class includes multiple QuestBridge and Gates scholarship winners and more than 370 students who earned the California State Seal of Biliteracy after demonstrating a high level of proficiency in bilingualism and biliteracy.

Fontana Unified’s Class of 2025 will embark on a range of post-graduation paths, including continuing their education at top universities such as UCLA, Barnard College, Boston University, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC San Diego; joining the armed forces; or launching directly into the workforce. Many graduates are equipped to pursue high-wage, high-demand careers as a result of Fontana Unified’s 39 career technical education pathways.

“The Class of 2025 has shown resilience, ambition, and an incredible sense of purpose in reaching this milestone,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Their accomplishments reflect the strength of our schools, the dedication of our educators, and the unwavering support of families and the Fontana community. Wherever their path leads them, our graduates are prepared to lead and help shape the future.”

Several esteemed dignitaries attended at least one of FUSD’s commencements this year, including San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre, City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, and Council Member Jesse Sandoval.

Fontana Adult School

The celebrations began with Fontana Adult School’s (FAS) commencement, which honored more than 145 students on track to earn their high school diploma or GED equivalency. Three FAS students: Xiomara Herrera, Nancy Luna, and Juan Gonzalez delivered inspirational speeches, sharing the power of perseverance, community support, and the drive to transform personal setbacks into triumphs.

“My education has opened the door to better job opportunities, my classmates and I feel more confident and capable. Every morning, we would look at each other with the same shared dream to finish our GED – today that dream is a reality,” Herrera said. “With this GED, I plan to advance my career and set a good example for my children to provide them a better future.”

Citrus High School

Citrus High celebrated its 135-plus member Class of 2025 with a joyful ceremony. Three Jaguars: Malayshia McKnight, Mia Lopez, and Eduardo Barboza delivered emotional speeches. McKnight called the decision to attend Citrus High a defining chapter in her life, sharing how she managed to overcome challenges and discover her purpose and strength at the school.

“To my classmates, we have all had our battles, our long nights, our doubts but today we prove that no matter where we start, we are capable of greatness,” McKnight said. “This diploma is not just a piece of paper; it is a symbol of everything we have overcome and everything we’re about to achieve.”

All three student speakers are going on to pursue their passions after high school, with McKnight enrolling in Chaffey College’s culinary arts program, Barboza studying to become a music producer at San Bernardino Valley College, and Lopez beginning an electrical apprenticeship.

Eric Birch High School

Eric Birch High, which was named a Model Continuation School by the California Department of Education in 2024, honored more than 100 graduates during this year’s commencement. Student speakers Douglas “Axel” Blanco Ordonez and Faith Friedman shared how athletics helped them find belonging, support, and a mentor with a shoutout to teacher and coach Bethel Trice.

“I was never really into sports but when I met [Trice] I truly knew this was the person I really wanted to stay with,” Friedman said of her experience on the volleyball team. “She motivated me to always do my best and stay on top of my grades as much as I could. The experiences I got from this are some I will always keep with me forever.”

Teachers of the Year at both Citrus (Lu Tsai) and Eric Birch (Steven Whitley) led their respective students in the ceremonial turning of the tassels. Shortly after, confetti cannons sent colorful streamers flying into the air as “Congratulations” by Post Malone played throughout the venue.

A.B. Miller High School

A.B. Miller honored its more than 495 graduates and 85 Golden State Seal Merit Award recipients in the Class of 2025. On stage, class officer Linda Moreno, salutatorian Sonia Paredones, and valedictorian Amanda Gonzalez delivered heartfelt speeches that blended English and Spanish.

In the fall, Paredones will study cell, molecular, and developmental biology at UC Riverside and Gonzalez will major in computer science at UC Berkeley. Both of their addresses focused on the power of perseverance, self-belief, and community support.

“The world is waiting for our ideas, our voices, and our passion,” Paredones said. “We may not know exactly what’s ahead, but we do know what we’re made of and no matter where life takes us, we will carry every lesson and every friendship that we have made at A.B. Miller.”

Fontana High School

Chants of “FOHI” echoed throughout Toyota Arena during Fontana High’s (FOHI) commencement. The school’s graduating class includes Gates Scholarship recipient Sherlyn Gutierrez, who will study biochemistry at UC Berkeley, salutatorian Jose Chi and valedictorian Vivianna Powell, who are headed to Cal Poly Pomona and UC Berkeley, respectively.

Fontana High’s graduation was a day of celebration not only for the students but for longtime FOHI Principal Ofelia Hinojosa, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service in FUSD and 13 years leading Fontana High. In her address, Fontana High Associated Student Body President Perla Jimenez reminded her fellow 580-plus graduates and Hinojosa that “once a Steeler, always a Steeler.”

Before her tenure as FOHI principal ended, Hinojosa gave one last lesson on what it means to be a Steeler.

“It isn’t just about school spirit, it’s about showing up even when it’s hard, it’s about taking ownership of our choices, pushing through challenges, and lifting each other up,” Hinojosa said. “We’ve lived the meaning of ‘Live Maroon’ through perseverance, integrity, and pride in who we are, that’s what being part of our FOHI family means.”

Jurupa Hills High School

During its commencement, Jurupa Hills celebrated 430 graduates, including 120 who maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher, 76 who earned California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Seal Bearer honors, and 10 students who have committed to serve their country in either the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, or National Guard.

Jurupa Hills is home to Fontana Unified’s IB Diploma Programme and nine Spartans graduated as IB Diploma candidates. IB’s globally focused curriculum is highly regarded by prestigious colleges and universities worldwide. The school’s IB program produced 2024-25 FUSD Student Board Member Adriana-Rene Humber, QuestBridge National College Match scholarship winners Karla Louisa and Berlyn Sanchez, salutatorian and Gates Scholarship winner Sukhraj Singh, and valedictorian Brian Abanise.

Through their speeches, both Singh and Abanise encouraged their classmates to embrace their true selves, take bold steps forward, and never underestimate the strength found in trying, caring, and connecting with others.

“The people you’re here with today, you owe it to them and most importantly yourself to try your best,” Abanise said. “As we step into a world rife with hardship and adversity, remember you come from not just a family but a network of people who care for you. All of Jurupa Hills is here for you.”

Summit High School

Summit High’s graduating class of more than 615 students cheered “Come Alive 25” during its commencement. It served as a historic year for Summit High with the school earning its first prestigious Golden Bell Award under first-year Principal Dr. John Richmond earlier this school year.

Summit High salutatorian Damian Muschamp and valedictorian Carlos Flores, who graduated with 4.7 and 4.8 GPAs, respectively, drew rousing cheers from the audience with the listing of their accomplishments. In the fall, Muschamp will attend Stanford University majoring in aerospace and electrical engineering, while Flores will study neuroscience at UCLA.

In their speeches, both Muschamp and Flores stressed the importance of relationships and thanked the friends, teachers, and family who helped them achieve success.

“Class of 2025, take advantage of the relationships you’ve built, fostered, and strengthened with each other now and use them to continue supporting each other beyond high school,” Muschamp said. “Class of 2025, use your relationships to soar.”

Henry J. Kaiser High School

In Fontana Unified’s final commencement, the Kaiser Cat graduates were welcomed into the arena by the school’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Saber Honor Guard while the Color Guard presented the colors for the national anthem. The award-winning Kaiser Catamount Band stirred the Toyota Arena with live performances of the national anthem, “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the school’s alma mater.

Principal Dr. Christopher Hollister celebrated the school’s culture of success and emphasized its commitment to academics and athletics. He highlighted the fact that 100% of the school’s enrolled seniors graduated in 2024-25 and showcased the CIF Southern Section championship ring won by the boys basketball team during his address.

Kaiser High salutatorian Andrew Landeros and valedictorian Cindy Phung are both headed to UCLA to study pre-business and biology, respectively. Before they exited the arena, Class of 2025 president Zoey Miller urged her classmates to take the future at their own pace as they exit high school.

“Our time is up but our story is just beginning. Don’t rush to have it all figured out; keep asking questions, stay curious, never stop growing,” Miller said. “Congratulations Class of 2025, we made it, not just to the end but to the beginning of something new. The world is waiting so let’s go make something of it.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_2025GRAD1: Henry J. Kaiser High School ASB Vice President Erik Centeno-Garcia celebrates during the school’s graduation ceremony at the Toyota Arena on May 28.

FUSD_2025GRAD2: A.B. Miller High School ASB Commissioner Alejandra Delgado Garcia, right, celebrates after the school’s commencement at the Toyota Arena on May 27.

FUSD_2025GRAD3: Jurupa Hills High School valedictorian Brian Abanise, who graduated with a 4.7 GPA, waves to the crowd from the stage during the school’s graduation ceremony at the Toyota Arena on May 27. He will attend UC Berkeley in the fall, majoring in computer science and public health.

FUSD_2025GRAD4: Fontana High School valedictorian Vivianna Powell, who graduated with a 4.5 GPA and will attend UC Berkeley, delivers her address during the school’s commencement at the Toyota Arena on May 27.

FUSD_2025GRAD5: Damian Muschamp, Summit High School’s salutatorian, celebrates during the school’s graduation ceremony at the Toyota Arena on May 28. Muschamp graduated with a 4.7 GPA and will attend Stanford University, majoring in aerospace and electrical engineering.