CAHS 2025 graduating class. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM.
Last updated at 2:39 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The Charlotte Amalie High School Class of 2025 marked a major milestone on Friday, as 200 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas. They celebrated not only academic accomplishments but the resilience and perseverance that defined their high school journey.
Described as “Roaring, Soaring, Luxuriant, and Live,” the graduating class was joined by proud families, well-wishers, and alumni commemorating milestone reunions. Nearly half the class graduated with honors, and just over a fifth earned high honors. Collectively, the class secured $5 million in scholarships and grants.
Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington praised the graduates for their perseverance during a time of transition. “Even as your school transformed right around you – you are there to witness the demolitions – [it] did not deter you from pursuing what you know you needed to do to be here today,” she said. “You did not let disruption derail your focus.” The commissioner called the class “the embodiment of resilience and determination,” adding that their legacy is now “etched into the blueprint” of the school’s future.
Co-salutatorian Abigail Jaboin distilled this resilience through a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” She encouraged her fellow graduates to focus on their personal “whys” to navigate the road ahead. “Suddenly the road ahead does not feel so impossible,” she said.
Co-salutatorian Siara Abbott reflected on how high school challenges shape character and praised the role teachers play in guiding students’ growth. “I’ve had teachers tell me that they saw more in me and that I had a voice worth using,” she said. At the time, she took it as a compliment, but now sees it as a turning point. “Looking back, I realize those words were a wake-up call for me to believe in myself.”
Valedictorian Laila Carter shared a long-standing dream: to one day be named top of her class. Though she had to settle for second place for years, she never gave up. “Despite the emotional turmoil of being so close to something you've always wanted only to miss it,” she said, “I remained proud of my efforts.” She recalled playing the clarinet in the school band during ninth-grade graduation and being inspired by that year’s valedictorian. “I don’t recall their name or exact words, but I do remember the feeling,” she said. “I wanted that moment not for bragging rights, but to prove to myself that I could achieve the impossible.” Reflecting on her triumph, she said: “Nothing can be deemed impossible. It just hasn’t been done yet.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Denita Boschulte, celebrating her own 25th graduation anniversary, began by acknowledging her grandmother Rita Smith, in attendance for her 75th class reunion. Dr. Boschulte underscored the importance of the Charlotte Amalie alumni community, reminding the graduates, “You have a village,” to which the audience replied, “We are your village.”
She emphasized that every person in the gymnasium—from parents and grandparents to teachers and principals—was a symbol of love and support. Dr. Boschulte urged graduates to lean on that network during times of difficulty.
Sharing her own experience, Dr. Boschulte recalled failing a standardized test twice after her first year of medical school, all while caring for her newborn son. After her second failed attempt, despite sending her child to stay with her husband so she could study, she began to doubt her path. “I was sick of studying, and I was starting to wonder if this was really for me.” But the strength of her family network helped her persevere.
She also spoke of the support she received from her mother when a doubting advisor caused her to question her chosen specialty. After a long phone call filled with encouragement, she requested a new advisor who helped ensure she matched into obstetrics and gynecology. “Know what you want and go after it,” she told the graduates. “Surround yourself with the people that believe in you.”
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. began his remarks by thanking the families and community members who supported the graduates. “It is a phenomenal job that you have done,” he told the parents. He praised the students' diverse career ambitions, particularly those choosing technical and vocational paths.
The governor reminded the Class of 2025 that they are part of a long and proud tradition. “That legacy has been passed on to you,” he said. “Continue to excel in everything, no matter where you go.”
Correction: May 24th, 2025
A previous version of this article misstated the number of graduates from CAHS. The correct total is 200, not 145. The article has been updated to reflect the accurate information.
