Julia Zavgorodniy waves at her family after scanning the crowd to find them during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Dream without limit’: Thousands of Snohomish County seniors graduate
Graduations at the arena conclude this weekend with three Everett high schools on Saturday and Monroe High School on Sunday.
EVERETT — Graduates from across Snohomish County have walked the stage over the past week, earning their diplomas and entering a new phase of life.
On Friday, more than 400 Mariner High School graduates gathered at Angel of the Winds Arena, where 15 schools held ceremonies this year, including from Marysville, Snohomish, Lake Stevens and Arlington.
Mariner High School class speaker Maximus Trias spoke about entering high school during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and his fear of not fitting in. He ended up becoming more outgoing, he said, being emcee for the Associated Student Body and the school’s mascot, Splash.
“I know that this class will go on to do great things, no matter what you chose to do after high school, you all have endless potential, and it is yours to use, and yours alone,” Trias said.
Mariner High School valedictorian Tasmeen Sheikh grew up in a concrete house, worth less than 3% of the average American home, she said in her speech. She reflected on the opportunities Everett and Mariner High School gave her.
“Everett is not the embodiment of American wealth, but it is the embodiment of American freedom and possibility,” she said. “We may not be born rich or privileged, but we were born with a chance of achieving both. We can dream without limit, and we have the freedom and aptitude to imagine a future different from the one that was given to our parents, grandparents and billions of people around the world today.”
“I learned my biggest blessing was not my GPA, it was my village, the people I smiled the hardest with, the ones who never let me struggle alone,” senior class president Delina Belay said Friday.
Graduations for three Everett high schools concluded Saturday, with Monroe High School commencement scheduled for Sunday evening at the arena.
During commencement for Everett High School, Associated Student Body President Deborah Vasuilakeba urged graduates to look at the people around them and thank them for their sacrifices and support.
“Identify the people in your life for your support system and don’t be afraid to lean on them again,” Vasuilakeba said. “You’re not alone, and you never will be.”
Tasmeen Sheikh, valedictorian for the Mariner High School class of 2025 wipes away a tear after becoming emotional during her speech at commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The family and friends of Maximus Trias jump and yell as he walks by on the way to his seat during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A graduation cap decorated with the words, “la fe no hace que las cosas sean facilies hace que sean posibles” or “faith doesn’t make things easy it makes them possible” is worn by a graduate during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Graduates sit and talk backstage before the start of Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Neri Najera, right, helps Oswaldo Aquirre secure his graduation cap before the start of Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Elian Gonzalez wears a handful of graduation leis during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Class speaker Maximus Trias smiles as he delivers his speech during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Graduates take photos and text backstage before the start of Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Graduates greet each other as they line up during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gabriella Hurley, right, helps secure Anya Kozina’s graduation cap before the start of Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jalika Kunjo, left, Ral Kanu, center, and Kaddijatou Jawara, right, takes photos before the start of Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Senior class president Delina Belay smiles while speaking during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A graduate raises their arms in the air as their family cheers during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Audience members show support for their favorite graduate during Everett High School’s 2025 commencement on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Alice Brackett, center, joins other graduates to sing the school’s Alma Mater during Everett High School’s 2025 commencement on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Alice Brackett, center, joins other graduates to sing the school’s Alma Mater during Everett High School’s 2025 commencement on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
12 positions were paused for fear of unsustainable funding.
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