The Philomath High School’s Class of 2025 will turn their tassels on Saturday at Clemens Field in a graduation ceremony scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Seniors finish classes Thursday and are scheduled to go on their traditional walk to the various campuses Friday morning. School staff also had plans early Friday to serve the Senior Breakfast. The baccalaureate occurred June 1 and the honors convocation took place June 3. Following graduation on Saturday will be the Senior All-Night Party, an evening community-sponsored event.
Philomath Academy’s graduation ceremony with 18 candidates is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 11 on the school’s west lawn. (A preview story will appear next week).
Ten valedictorians
The PHS Class of 2025 features 10 valedictorians: Mitchell Berklund, Natalie Dunn, Klara Houchin, Colton Hruska, Melea Lattin, JJ Lewis, Hanna McDaniel, Raegan McKinney, Madison Provance and Averie Wilson.
All 10 valedictorians achieved a 4.0 grade point average.
Each student was asked to answer questions about themselves and following is a rundown of their responses:
Mitchell Berklund
Parents: Jennie and Kevin Berklund
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “English teacher Mr. Kelly has had the biggest influence on me in high school. I have had him as a teacher since my sophomore year and he has taught me many things about writing and literature. I have been able to connect with him over music and his perspective on life as a whole will stick with me, I imagine, for the rest of my life.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activity at PHS was football, as it taught me discipline and helped me build friendships.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging aspect of high school for me has been holding myself to my own standard. I’ve expected a lot of myself academically over these four years and have spent much energy trying to meet that expectation.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Oregon State University with a minor in music.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “I see myself working and growing in a career in acoustic engineering — wherever opportunity takes me — using the skills I have learned and will continue learning to connect with and help others.”
Natalie Dunn
Parents: Pete and Lisa Dunn
In Philomath schools: Since freshman year
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “I think Mrs. Moade has been the biggest influence on me throughout high school. Even though math is not my strongest subject, she has always been a big supporter whether in the classroom or in sports, and I know she really cares about my success as well as other students and that’s why she is such a good teacher.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “I really like the soccer and track programs. Both programs have been super fun environments and I have made many amazing friends through the years. From team dinners, EARLY morning practices, bus rides and 10-hour track meets in the rain, you get to know your teammates really well, which is one of my favorite parts about sports.”
Most challenging part of high school: “Junior year was hard because I took a lot of challenging classes. Looking back on it though, I can really see how supportive my family was as well as all the things I learned about myself — for example, that I am cut out for the healthcare field.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to attend Utah State University in the fall to study plant science and minor in agronomy.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “I am not really sure where I will go, but I hope to take the skills and knowledge I learned about plant production at USU and work in the agriculture industry.”
Klara Houchin
Parents: Brian and Gretchen Houchin
In Philomath schools: Since freshman year
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “I appreciate all the staff at Philomath that have helped me get to where I am today. Ms. Stueve in particular was a really big influence, she was always very kind, encouraged me and recognized my hard work. Ms. Drennen has also helped me so much and given me lots of support.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “I really enjoyed participating in the school musicals. It was always so fun and an awesome group of people.”
Most challenging part of high school: “One thing that was difficult for me at times was staying motivated and trying my best rather than taking the easier path.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to dual enroll at Oregon State University and Linn-Benton majoring in business.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years I hope to have a clearer idea of what I want to do with the rest of my life, hopefully with a career I enjoy and surrounded by people I love.”
Colton Hruska
Parents: Christine and Jeremy Hruska
In Philomath schools: Since third grade
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “Mrs. Stueve has had the biggest influence. She not only taught my first AP class during my freshman year, but also asked me to come back and peer tutor the AP computer science class.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “ASB, baseball and football were my favorite extracurricular activities I participated in each of these for four years.”
Most challenging part of high school: “Probably balancing extracurricular activities and ASB events with school work.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to attend OSU for aerospace engineering.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years I hope to be working at an aerospace firm putting into place the skills I learned at OSU and PHS. With these skills I hope to continue to advance the technologies that have seen so much growth in recent years.”
Melea Lattin
Parents: Rich and Kris Lattin
In Philomath schools: Since preschool
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “The teachers that had the most influence on me were Mr. Dunham and Mr. Kelly. I liked listening to their perspectives, and I have always enjoyed the thinking that English classes make you do.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “During high school I participated in cross-country, track and soccer. I enjoyed soccer the most because the team was full of my friends.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school is finding the time and motivation to do your homework. Or, calculus. Calculus was hard.”
Plans after high school: “Next fall I will be attending the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I don’t know where I’ll be, but I hope by then I’ll have done lots of things and traveled lots of places. I see myself having a good job and a life I enjoy.”
JJ Lewis
Parents: Jeff and Cindy Lewis
In Philomath schools: Since preschool
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “I would have to say the member of the PHS faculty that has affected me the most is either Mr. Kelly or Mrs. Moade. Both are wonderful teachers and have genuine enthusiasm and expertise in their respective subjects. Also, you can tell that they actually want you to learn the material, and encourage each student to give their best work.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurriculars at PHS were the wrestling and cross-country programs.”
Most challenging part of high school: “For me, the hardest part of high school was finding a way to move forward when I felt like I wasn’t measuring up.”
Plans after high school: “After high school, I will be serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rancagua, Chile. Then I will be attending Brigham Young University.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “I’m not entirely sure where I see myself in 10 years. But I hope to have a family and at least my bachelor’s degree.”
Hanna McDaniel
Parents: Laurie and Craig McDaniel
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “I would say Mr. Kelly had the biggest influence on me in high school. I learned so much from taking his classes about writing and creativity, but also about appreciating the little things and how to view the world in different ways.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “Some of my favorite extracurricular activities at PHS were cross-country, track and theater. I loved running for the cross-country team and I’ve had so much fun pole vaulting and high jumping for track! I also really enjoyed being a part of four musicals at the high school.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school was trying to do well at all the things that I was committed to. Participating in sports, other extracurricular activities, and being a student at the same time was often hard to balance.”
Plans after high school: “After high school, I plan to attend Oregon State University and major in design and innovation management through the College of Business.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “I’m not sure exactly where I will be in 10 years, but I am interested in possibly starting my own business. I also would like to travel around the world and experience new places and cultures.”
Raegan McKinney
Parents: Neal and April McKinney
In Philomath schools: Since sophomore year
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “All of my teachers have been highly influential, but I would have to say Ms. Eldridge played the biggest role in helping me discover my career path.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “ASB and jazz band.”
Most challenging part of high school: “Starting as a new student sophomore year.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to attend OSU Cascades and major in natural resources. This summer, I will be working for the Oregon Department of Forestry as a wildland firefighter.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “I hope to be working for an agency that allows me to protect public lands.”
Madison Provance
Parents: Tim and Alecia Provance
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “The faculty member who had the biggest influence on me in high school was Mrs. Bennett. I had her for all four years of high school and loved going to her classes. They were fun and educational, providing me with methods that I still use to this day.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activity was athletics. I was involved in volleyball and track. My time in these activities allowed me to gain many fun memories.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school was balancing my extracurricular activities, including sports, NHS, and volunteering, while taking AP and college-level classes and maintaining my 4.00 GPA.”
Plans after high school: “I plan to attend the University of North Dakota and major in medical laboratory science with a minor in chemistry.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I see myself working as a medical laboratory scientist while volunteering in the community around me.”
Averie Wilson
Parents: Todd Wilson and Annette Bristol
In Philomath schools: Since sixth grade
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “Although the entire staff at Philomath is amazing, Herr Karte has had the most impact on me. I have taken four years of German, and throughout the years, Herr Karte has been the kindest, most encouraging and most entertaining teacher to all his students. He has helped me to have the courage to speak another language and to pursue a study abroad gap year in Germany next year.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “I really enjoyed acting in musicals at PMS and PHS. I also loved my time on the cross-country team.”
Most challenging part of high school: “Sometimes maintaining a balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities and social life was difficult.”
Plans after high school: “I will be spending the next year in Germany on the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational scholarship. Then, I will attend the University of Oregon to study architecture.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I hope to be working as an architect in Seattle, studying for a master’s degree and traveling a lot.”
CLASS OF 2025 • Savannah Ann Adams, Kynlee Rose Albin, Sean Edèn Anway, Michiko Kalani Araki
• Ethan Jackson Aynes, Heidi Lynne Bacho, Jose Daniel Barnes, Natalee Grace Barton
• Shyanne Raelynn Barton, Sophia Rose Bauer, Adele Emmaline Beckstead, Alyson Noelle Beckwith
• Hannah Jane Bennett, Mitchell James Berklund, Jack Billings, Lucas Edward Bourgeois
• Mica Elizabeth Boynton, Ashleigh Nicole Brown, Charis Naomi Bumstead, Elizabeth Claire Burriel
• Elijah Ray Bush, Warwick Boone Bushnell, Cali Elizabeth Cannon, Aiden James Carrier
• Reagan Ellen Chisholm, Katie Josephine Son Choi, Natilee Madison Clancy, Natalie Qwyen Dunn
• Michayla Hope Eck, Shyann Faith Eck, Colton Daniel Faust, Hayden Raelynn Fishe
• Ava Lauren Foesenek, Emmitt Kelly Gaskey, Achilles Gaskill, Aria Anne Gassner
• Jeshua Matthew Gonzalez-Bush, Cole Alec Greeley, Chloe Marie Gurski, Lillian Jean Hansen
• Ahren Granger Harris, Janice Faith Hellesto, Petra Isabella Hernandez, Lynn Elizabeth Hirte
• Laighla Ann Hockema, Jackson Porter Holroyd, Klara Sharon Houchin, Zoee Raye Howard
• Colton John Gellatly Hruska, Peyton Michael Humphrey, Sean Joseph Jackson, Titus Jefrey Johnson
• Seth Charles Jordan, Owen Lawrence Kent, Kaylie Grace Kohler, Alyssa Marie Kvidt
• Daniel Jakob Larsen, Melea Rose Lattin, Lilia Huston Leman, Sara Elisabeth Leonard
• Jeffrey Max Lewis Jr., Lillian Rachel Lopez, Allister Mahoney, Isac Reyes Marcelo
• Elle Kalia Marchesi, Logan Robert Matthews, Cameron Justice McConnell, Brooke Marie McDaniel
• Hanna Faye McDaniel, Raegan Amanda McKinney, Daniel Jacob Mendoza, Madyx Jane Mooney
• Finlay Stephen Moore, Isabel Morales-Marquez, Karl James Morris, Hallie Breanne Morrison
• Kalani Guinness Moss, Emmett Cecil Murch, Grant Ryker Niemann, Thatcher Elliot Noel
• Michael Alexander Novak, Kayson James Olsen, Cedric Orion Petrovich, Kateri Rose Pindell
• Mark Steven Pittman, Silas Benjamin Pittman, Isabella Sophia Poot Armenta, Tatum Riley Pope
• Zackary Michael Powers, Madison Raelyn Provance, Raul Alonso Quiroz Sanchez, Hudson Carter Raab
• Peter Lee Reed, Olivia Elaine Marie Rice, Zoe Cai Ringwald, Stephanie Rheanne Elizabeth Rogers
• Aspen McKinley Russell, Brady Scott Russell, Caleb Zachary Russell, Bryson River Sandstrom
• Dewey Douglas Sexton, Dylan Todd Smith, Anneka Ozara Steen, Baylee Kay Stewart
• Brooke Talise Thorson, Logan William Todd, Jenae Danielle Traglia, Peyton Aubrey Vester
• Kyah Marie Weeber, Kaden Timothy Wenger, Averie Schadeberg Wilson, Carson John Winder
• Seth Aaron Wood, Rachel Elizabeth Zerby, Ryder Kirk Zitlau
Clarification, June 6, 2025 2:38 pm: The names of five students were updated from their legal names as had originally been provided by the school to preferred names.
