With heartfelt speeches, and a palpable sense of pride, North Shore High School marked the graduation of 197 seniors on Friday, June 27, in a commencement ceremony that celebrated resilience, creativity and community spirit.
The Class of 2025, praised as one of the most talented and community-minded, filled the stage and hearts of attendees with reflections on their unique journey, from pandemic-era challenges to lasting achievements across academics, athletics, arts and activism.
Principal Eric Contreras set the tone for the morning with a speech filled with warmth, humor and deep admiration. He reflected on his evening walks past the senior tribute wall, where baby photos and college destinations reminded him of the students’ growth and journey.
“For the last month, every evening, I’ve stood in front of those windows and imagined calling your names, one by one,” Contreras said. “You’ve filled this school with joy, intellect, artistry and compassion. You took a chance on me as your principal, and you delivered on that promise to give your best.”
Contreras reserved special praise for valedictorian Aaryan Vira, calling him “one of the most authentic and intellectually curious students” he has encountered. A standout in science, music, and athletics, Vira also contributed to environmental research and advocacy while mentoring younger students.
“He brings mindfulness and heart to everything he does,” Contreras said. “Whether in musical ensembles, science labs, or everyday conversation, Aaryan’s spirit leaves a lasting impression. He certainly has on me.”
Vira, headed to Rice University, delivered a valedictory address that likened the Class of 2025 to a jazz band, diverse, expressive and united by collaboration.
“Some of us were loud and bold, others more subtle,” he said. “But together we created a song of experience and memory that is uniquely ours.”
He acknowledged the hurdles faced by his class, including pandemic disruptions, the shift to digital testing, and evolving school policies.
“We improvised. We studied harder. We found new ways forward,” Vira said, urging his peers to continue embracing leadership and community as they embark on new journeys.
Salutatorian Kaitlin Ho echoed the message of legacy and unity. Citing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s play “Hamilton,” Ho described high school as “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
“Legacy isn’t something you leave behind one day, it’s something you build every day,” Ho said. “So keep planting, keep showing up and keep choosing joy.”
Ho, who founded the school’s Asian Student Alliance, spoke openly about discovering identity, cultivating community and the importance of joyful action. Her speech, was structured around three life lessons: don’t take everything personally, choose joy over obligation, and live in the moment. She will be attending Yale University in the fall.
The celebratory spirit reached new heights when Superintendent Christopher Zublionis took the podium with a lighthearted attempt to speak in Gen Z slang, drawing laughter and cheers.
“Let’s not cap,” he said. “Gen Z is built differently. You don’t just post about causes, you show up for them.”
Zublionis commended the class for its digital fluency, inclusivity, and social awareness, before switching to a more serious note: “You face a more complex world than the one we entered after high school. But you’re exactly the kind of people we need to lead us forward.”
As the ceremony concluded, families gathered under sunny skies to celebrate a class defined not just by accolades but by empathy, energy and a deep desire to leave the world better than they found it.
The Class of 2025 leaves North Shore High not only with diplomas, but with a shared legacy of leadership, resilience, and community, a harmonious ensemble whose impact will echo far beyond the school walls.
