It’s been two years since I walked across the same stage that the Class of 2025 just crossed at Making Waves Academy. Returning as a USC student and the Lead Marketing and Storytelling Intern at Making Waves Education Foundation to now witness another class of Wave-Makers reach this huge milestone feels both bittersweet and incredibly inspiring.
I still remember all the emotions from that day. The excitement, pride, and nerves are feelings like no other. The rehearsals of us practicing our walk in and Wave-Maker affirmation, everyone all dressed up in their best attire, and the cheers of support from the bleachers are all still fresh in my memory.
It’s an honor to now share this moment with a new class of graduates, the largest class to graduate from Making Waves Academy. To that, I welcome you to the Class of 2025!
“If we have the opportunity to repeat the last eight years, we’d see how fast it all flew by and how important it is to appreciate every moment,” shared Shihab Alkaheli (he/him), the Making Waves Academy student body president, during his graduation speech this June at the school’s campus in Richmond, California.
“Thanks to our families, our teachers, our failures, and everyone that’s helped us, we’ve made it,” Alkaheli (pictured below, left) shared.
Reflections from the Class of 2025
We asked a few graduates to reflect on their high school journey and share what’s next – and here’s what they said.
“Making Waves Academy has set me up for success. As a student who has been here since 6th grade with friends at other schools, I know the support I get here – applying to college, filling out the FAFSA, getting personalized help from teachers – is unmatched.”
– Leilah Howard, a first-generation college student attending Diablo Valley Community College this fall
“Graduation defines a day where everything I went through in school – from elementary all the way to 12th grade – is celebrated. Each passing year is an accomplishment, but the special thing about high school graduation is that not everyone can get to it. Unfortunately, my culture has historically not seen the most success with their education for a number of reasons. The fact that I was able to overcome those things and make it to that podium, graduating with good standing, breaks generational trauma that charts a brighter path towards both my future and those who come after me.”
– Fatima Cortes (valedictorian), first-generation college student attending Hamilton College this fall
“I’ve been at Making Waves Academy since 6th grade. Last year, I did a lot of deep self-reflection and realized I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to push myself to learn new things. Since then, I joined the volleyball team, started folklorico dancing, was the lead singer in a music club, I started a business, and attended field trips to Zygo, Allen Matkins, and Crawford Woodworking. When you get into high school, try new things, especially if you are unsure of where you want to go next. It helps you scratch things off the list and helps you find what you like.”
– Guillermo Limon, first-generation college student attending UC Santa Cruz this fall
Students celebrate community and growth
During the graduation ceremony this June, Valedictorian Fatima Cortes (she/her) reflected on both the growth of the school and her personal journey.
“We’ve watched this school grow from three buildings on the side of Lakeside Drive to it completely taking over the street,” Cortes said.
She thanked her community, teachers, and peers who helped her discover who she was.
“Coming back from years in isolation – both in terms of the pandemic and how I treated the world personally – was no easy task. I had to learn how to challenge myself in classes without burning out, how to ask for help when I needed it, and how to appreciate my accomplishments while also giving myself grace when life got difficult,” shared Cortes.
Looking ahead, Cortes, who will attend Hamilton College this fall, left her peers with this:
“Class of 2025, you’ve made history by being Making Waves Academy’s largest graduating class. Let’s go out into the world and make history again: for the better, for the future that deserves to see a shining dawn day by day. Throw those caps up and show everyone just what we’re capable of!”
The ceremony also included speeches from Salutatorians Monseratt Rodriguez (she/her) and Andrea Martinez Alvarez (she/her).
Rodriguez reflected on her admiration of her sister, Abril Rodriguez, who is graduating from UCLA this spring as she pursues her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
“My sister, who is my lifelong best friend, is not only the smartest person I know, but the most dedicated.”
Rodriguez, who is attending USC this fall, encouraged her peers: “To the Class of 2025, whatever endeavors you all choose to follow, be great. Go out and inspire. Be the role models of tomorrow. Change the status quo. Show the world that we are just as capable.”
“And when you fail – because you will, because we all have – get back up. Get back up with the same drive and determination that got you here today. You will make a difference. You will create change,” Rodriguez said.
Martinez Alvarez, who is planning to attend UCLA this fall, offered a message of hope and compassion:
“Today marks the end of a chapter, but more importantly, the beginning of something entirely new. As we go our separate ways, my hope for all of us is this: that we continue to value people over performance. That we remember the strength of showing up even when it’s hard, that we hold on to the belief that kindness isn’t a weakness, it’s one of the most powerful choices we can make.”
Future plans for the Class of 2025
A public charter school that admits students through a lottery process, Making Waves Academy supports students in pursuing a variety of pathways after graduation based on each student’s life goal, with an emphasis on college readiness for all students.
In this year’s Class of 2025, 95% of graduates are planning to attend college (2-year and 4-year institutions).
“Despite the challenges, the majority of the 22nd Wave is pursuing college and post-secondary pathways. Many were accepted into rigorous colleges and universities. Some we’ve never had acceptances to before,” said Alton Nelson (he/him), CEO of Making Waves Academy.
Of the graduates:
- 44%, are planning to attend community college or trade school including, including Berkeley City College, Contra Costa College, and Diablo Valley College.
- 39% are planning to attend University of California or California State University campuses, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, UC Merced, and UC Santa Cruz.
- 12% have chosen private universities or out-of-state public universities, including Hamilton College, USC, and Boston University.
- 6% of students plan to take a gap year, join the military, or enter the workforce.
The majority of the graduates were admitted to the Making Waves Education Foundation’s college and career success program, which provides scholarships as well as college, career, and financial coaching.
“As proud as I am of the students going to college, I’m also proud of the ones who are choosing military service, choosing to do a gap year, or choosing apprenticeships because we really think it’s important that students are pursuing the dream they have for themselves,” Nelson shared.
A legacy of resilience
This class stands out not in just their achievements, but in how they overcome adversity – from navigating the challenges of a global pandemic to shifting political climates and uncertainty. This is the first senior class who completed all four years of high school in person since the pandemic.
“This class has been really persistent, and they have ‘a never give up’ quality about them that I think is really admirable. They’re a class where when they fall down, they just keep getting up,” shared Nelson.
“Watching students push through the stress and uncertainty of college and financial aid applications, especially those who were first-generation or managing responsibilities outside of school, was truly inspiring,” added Dr. Arika Spencer-Brown (she/her), director of college and career counseling at Making Waves Academy.
“Their resilience and determination were powerful reminders of their strength and potential,” shared Dr. Spencer-Brown.
“We treated each decision as a victory – whether a student committed to a four-year university, enlisted in the military, enrolled in a trade program, chose to enter the workforce, or chose to attend community college,” she said.
“The pride and joy they felt, especially when celebrating with their peers during decision day, was deeply moving.”
A message to the graduates
To the Class of 2025, thank you for letting us be part of your journey. Your strength, growth, and resilience are inspiring to us all. This is a moment that you will never forget. The cheers, hugs, and hoorahs – take it all in.
Most importantly, be proud of your accomplishments.
I’m sure it wasn’t an easy journey. But you have done it. Your story will continue in any space you cross. Keep showing up with heart, with courage, and with purpose.
Wherever you go next, know that you carry the strength of your story and the support of this community behind you.
This is just the beginning. Who knows, maybe you’ll be back one day, cheering from the bleachers too!
Congratulations, 22nd Wave!
