Umatilla HS celebrates largest class ever

By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

UMATILLA – Umatilla High School celebrated its class of 2025 graduates on Saturday. With 107 students crossing the stage and receiving their diplomas it was the school’s largest class ever.

Principal Jared Tesch opened the ceremony by honoring the strength and resilience of the graduation class. “Today is not just about finishing your senior year,” he told students. “It is a capstone on your entire K-12 experience. You’ve learned resilience, the importance of friendship, and the value of showing up.”

Tesch also took a moment to remember Pedro Figueroa Mendoza, a member of the class who passed away last summer. A chair in the graduates’ section was adorned with a teddy bear and photos.

Collectively the class earned 3,171 college credits, thanks to dual credit programs offered mostly in partnership with Blue Mountain Community College, Eastern Oregon University, and Arizona State University. Seventeen students earned both their high school diploma and an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree and will walk at Blue Mountain Community College’s commencement on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Umatilla School District