Each of the Peralta Colleges held wonderful commencement ceremonies this year. Joe Sullivan from Peralta's marketing department put together this very nice highlights reel which Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson shared with the Board of Trustees during her Chancellor's Report on June 10, 2025. Congratulations Class of 2025 Graduates!
Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, PCCD Chancellor: Congratulations, Class of 2025! Never forget that you are courageous, capable, and powerful beyond measure. You are the change-makers, advocates, and innovators!
Odalis Lopez, Merritt College Salutatorian: First and foremost, congratulations, Class of 2025, we made it!
Barbara Lee, Mayor of Oakland: And let me just tell you what an honor it is to be with you today. This is my very first graduation speech as the mayor of Oakland, California, so it's an honor to do this.
Delena Jackson, College of Alameda Valedictorian: We challenged every assumption about what students are supposed to look like, how success is supposed to happen, and when it's supposed to come.
Rose Foster, Laney Gateway to College High School Valedictorian: We weren't just learning how to pass classes, we were learning how to write our own stories.
Himali KC, BCC Valedictorian: As we move forward, remember, the only person you need to compete with is who you were yesterday. Your spark is yours entirely.
Aniya Jones, Laney College Valedictorian: This is for our whole village. This is for everyone who believed in our success. This is for those who didn't make it to this moment but whose prayers and struggle paved the road for us to walk.
Adena Ishii, Mayor of Berkeley: I have to say that speaking at this graduation feels actually more powerful somehow than my swearing in. Something about being here with all of you just gives me so much joy, and I have so much gratitude.
Delena Jackson: So take a deep breath, slap on a big smile, make sure your Jordans are tied tight, and walk across the stage like you earned every single step because we did.
Aniya Jones: This year, I applied to 20 universities and I was accepted into all of them. That includes UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. I was offered full rides to every college, [and] today I am proud to say that I will attend UCLA to complete my bachelor's in Political Science.
Odalis Lopez: Today, by standing and sharing my story, I'm speaking on behalf for all those who are first-generation of immigrants, who have to sacrifice everything to find a better life and pave the way for their families.
Erson Payopay, Associated Students of College of Alameda President: We changed the narrative of what it means to be a community college student, and the fact that we're all standing here today at the end of the finish line is proof of that.
Odalis Lopez: To all of us, class of 2025, continue pushing forward, continue breaking stereotypes, and continue fighting for your dreams. Thank you.
Barbara Lee: Each and every one of you are leaders. Each and every one of you are going to make the change in this world that we need. You did it!
Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson: Woo-woo!
Delena Jackson: So if you're still wondering what success looks like, look around. It looks just like all of us.
Rose Foster: So with that, congratulations, Class of 2025, we did it!