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John Muir High School Principal Dr. Lawton Gray at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
John Muir High School Class Vice-President Taylor Williams at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
Salutatorian Noni Johnson at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
Valedictorian Tessa Skidmore at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
John Muir High School Principal Dr. Lawton Gray and Graduate Noni Johnson at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
PUSD Superindendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, School Board Member Michelle Richardson Bailey, PUSD Board President Jennifer Hall Lee, and Dr. Shannon Malone at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
Perla Acosta, Graduate Jonathan Gomez, and Mia Gomez at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
Graduates RJ Riddle and Jontue Drayton at 2025 graduation exercises at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. June 5, 2025. [Pasadena Now / Paul Takizawa]
Against the backdrop of a year marked by wildfire devastation and community recovery, John Muir High School’s Class of 2025 crossed the graduation stage Thursday afternoon at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, transforming a ceremony of achievement into a testament to resilience.
The graduation, held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the auditorium on 300 E. Green St, celebrated not only traditional academic accomplishments but also the extraordinary perseverance students demonstrated following January’s devastating Eaton Fire.
Pasadena Unified’s graduation ceremonies got underway Wednesday with the Center for Independent Studies and Rose City High School, followed by Blair High School and Pasadena High School. John Muir High School graduation exercises were on Thursday at 2 p.m., with Thurgood Marshall Secondary School concluding the ceremonies at 6 p.m.
Eight graduating John Muir seniors achieved the rare distinction of earning both high school diplomas and a combined total of 14 associate degrees from Pasadena City College.
Valedictorian Tessa Skidmore and Salutatorian Noni Johnson led their classmates in the ceremony. Principal Dr. Lawton Gray and key Pasadena Unified officials were in attendance with excited friends and proud parents.
The celebration culminated an academic year that tested the entire Pasadena Unified School District community. The January Eaton Fire displaced approximately 1,383 district staff members — roughly half the workforce — and inflicted damage on four schools throughout the system.
Superintendent Elizabeth J. Blanco framed the graduation as evidence of the students’ remarkable character.
“Our students are showing us something extraordinary: the fire may have happened to them, but they are not defined by it,” she said. “They are defined by how they stand up, move forward, and continue to shine.”
Reflecting on the broader challenges the district faced, Blanco acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the academic year. “Challenging doesn’t begin to define what this year has been for us,” she said. “This year has been unforgettable.”
The graduates met comprehensive academic standards that Pasadena Unified established for all students beginning with the Class of 2019. Each student completed 220 credits of coursework, 40 hours of community service or work-based learning, and a graduate portfolio and defense.
The district’s official statement captured the pride surrounding the graduating class: “Pasadena Unified congratulates the Class of 2025! We are so proud of the tenacity you’ve shown to overcome challenges, engage in clubs, win big in sports, succeed in your academic studies, and rise to the top.”
Families and community members unable to attend the ceremony in person could participate through a livestream, while YouTube channel KLRN Pasadena coverage documented the milestone celebration.
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