By Barbara A. Preston | June 27, 2025
On a sweltering June 24th evening, 427 students, their families, teachers, and school officials gathered inside the air conditioned gymnasium to celebrate their accomplishments.
Montgomery High School Class of 2025.
(Photo by Jake Schwarzman.)
Principal Heather Pino-Beattie congratulated the class.“Among you are scholars, artists, musicians, athletes, leaders, change-makers, and some of the most compassionate and resilient individuals I’ve ever met,” she said.
Be wary of rushing to the grown-up table.
“Adulthood is not a single destination. It’s not a moment where you suddenly have it all figured out. There’s value in keeping a childlike curiosity.”
Second, If you don’t speak up, someone else will speak for you. “Someone will absolutely speak for you. And, if you don’t show up, decisions will still be made, just without your perspective.
“The biggest threat to a strong democracy has never been disagreement or debate. It has been indifference. In countless rooms where decisions are made, I have heard this reminder repeated, and it bears repeating now: The opposite of democracy is not dictatorship… It’s apathy.”
Above: Photo 1: Graduates enter gym to Pomp and Circumstance. Photo 2: Senior Class President Varun Iyer, Secretary Ryan Kang, Historian Andrew Park. Photo 3: Class Treasurer Edison Zhou, Vice President Dhanvi Ramji, and Salutatorian Katie Shou.
((Photos by Barbara A. Preston)
Above: Photo 1: Principal Heather Pino presents the Valedictorian Cup to David Ji, who will be attending Princeton University. Photo 2: Sylvia Toedtman sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Photo 3: The MHS Orchestra played Pomp and Circumstance for the Class of 2025.
((Photos by Barbara A. Preston)
Finally, Principal Pino-Beattie encouraged the graduates to Take Ownership.
“Your story is yours. Own it. Your decisions, your voice, your impact... it all matters. When you take responsibility ... you begin to see how powerful that mindset can be.” ■
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