[Music] [Music] Greetings family, friends and faly. Welcome to our May 2025 graduation ceremony. The doors will close shortly
and the ceremony will begin at the scheduled time. We kindly ask that you find a seat and keep the aisles clear. Our students have put in a lot of work to prepare for this day. We respectfully
ask for your support in providing an orderly ceremony where every name can be heard and every student will remember this special occasion. To view the ceremony live
while in progress, log into www.sk12.org with your computer or mobile device. The ceremony will begin in just a few minutes. Audience, please
stand to receive principal Dr. Trenton Watson and the Westwood High School class of May [Music] 2025. Please remain standing until after
the national anthem and the presentation of the Cola Guard. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat.
[Music] Heat. [Music]
Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]
Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat.
[Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]
[Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat.
[Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause] [Music]
[Applause] [Music] Please remain standing.
[Applause] Please remain standing until after the national anthem and the presentation of the color guard. [Applause] [Music]
[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]
Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat.
[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Please be seated and enjoy this election
while additional guests arrive. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Come
on. Come on, [Applause] baby. Y'all want me to start? Good evening to our board members. Superintendent. Wait, I'm sorry y'all.
Good evening to our board members. Interim superintendent Dr. Rodrik Richmond, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Angela Whitelaw, network leader Mrs. Alicia Ker, Dr. Lorie Phillips, Mr. Tito Langston, principal Dr. Trendan Watson,
assistant principal Mr. Marcus Jones, our illustrious faculty and staff, our loving families, our devoted guests and friends, and to the honores, the Westwood High School class of 2025. Welcome to each of you. We are assembled here today for the purpose of witnessing
and celebrating the awarding of degrees upon the 2025 graduating class of Westwood High School. Your presence today means everything to us, for it is a reminder of your love and support through the years. Thank you for being here.
[Applause] Come on, Diamond. [Music] Good evening to our special guest, family,
friends, faculty, and staff, and the Westwood High School class of 2025. I am Diamond Harve, the saludiatoran of Westwood, class of [Applause] 2025. Entering high school, I was not familiar with class ranks,
validictorians, and saludiatorans. My favorite memory would be receiving the news of me officially being a saludiatoran. When first hearing that I was ranked number two during my junior year, I made it a priority to remind number two. And for their
accomplishment, I am genu genuinely proud of myself. One thing I learned for being an honor student is that in order to be successful, I needed to manage my time well, be resilient, be consistent, and
an independent learner. Being an honor student has also helped to prepare me for college by exposing me to college level classes and developing my study skills and note-taking abilities. Class of 2025, as you step into the next chapter of your life,
whether you attend college, go to the military, or join the workforce, remember each of you is capable of growth and success. In the words of Winston Churchill, success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage
to continue that counts. I will forever be grateful to my teachers and administrators for supporting and preparing me. I am thankful to my mother Rashandra Harvell for her love and nurture. I appreciate my mentor Miss Cynthia Johnson for her wise advice.
Thank you counselor Darden and counselor Smith for your guidance. Congratulations to the class of 2025. We did it. [Music] [Applause] That's a lot of y'all in here. That's a lot of y'all. Uh, good evening, esteemed
faculty, family, and friends. It's an incredible honor to stand before you today as your valadictorian. [Applause] Honestly, it still feels surreal. Who would have thought that someone who spent more time on the football field than in the classroom would even be
standing here? Yet, here I am. And I owe a huge thank you to my parents, coaches, teammates, family, and friends who believed in me even when I doubted myself. But tonight isn't just about grades, tackles, trophies. It's
about the journey. It's about the lessons we've learned, the challenges we faced, and the moments that shaped us into who we are today, bars. Let's be real. High school wasn't always easy. There were the grueling early morning
and late evening practices, the late night study sessions, the tough exams, and days where you felt like you just didn't want to do it. But through it all, one thing carried me, and that was having perseverance. Football has taught me a lot.
Football has taught me you don't always win. You get knocked down. You make mistakes, but you get back up and you keep fighting. Not just for yourself, but for your team as well. And whether it's scoring a gamewinning touchdown or making a crucial block so your teammate can
shine. The lesson is still the same. Success isn't about individual glory. It's about lifting each other up, staying committed, and moving forward together. And that mindset carried over into the classrooms, into friendships, and into life. I remember games where we were
down by miles, man. But what I love most about our about our team was how we never gave up. We kept pushing. We kept believing, and we kept showing up for each other. And somehow through grit and grind, we turned things around. That's what life is, too. Showing up, staying
the course, and refusing to quit even when the odds are stacked against you. But to my fellow graduates, we did it. Through every high and low, we made it here. We earned it moment. But most importantly, we're ready for what comes
next. And as we step out into the world, remember this. It's not how many times you fall, it's about how many times you get back up. You keep pushing. You keep fighting. You keep showing up for your dreams and for each other.
Thank you, class of 2025. You're all champions in my eyes. Hold on, hold on, hold on. And one last thing. No matter how hot that kitchen get, you still got to cook. Amen. [Applause]
Justin J. Pearson serves as state representative for district 86 in Memphis, Tennessee, and is the second youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly. He was born the fourth son of five sons to teenag parents Kimberly Owens Pearson and Jason C. Pearson,
Senior. Prior to public service, Pearson co-founded the environmental and climate justice nonprofit Memphis Community Against the Pollution, also known as MCAP. Through his leadership, MCAP successfully defeated a multi-billion dollar crude oil pipeline project that
would have been po that would have poisoned Memphis drinking water for 1 million people and stolen land from South Memphis residents. Pierce's advocacy and courageous leadership inspired the Truman Center to present him the 2024 Award for exceptional moral courage and public
service. To honor his unwavering commitment to morality and advocacy for gun control reform. At this time, Dr. Kimberly Owens Pearson will welcome Mr. Justin J. Pearson, her son, to the podium. [Applause] [Music]
Hello, Westwood family, faculty, and 2025 graduates. I stand here as Dr. Kimberly Owens Pearson, but it did not start that way. I wasn't alone of Westwood. I graduated in class of
1992. I was a teenage mom. I was told that I would be on welfare, etc. and I stand before you as a doctor, doctor of education. So I am proud to bring to the
stage my son who will be the keynote speaker to my husband and I school. Tennessee Representative Justin Jake Pearson was born and built in Westwood.
He was never bought and that's why he can stand on his word and stand in integrity. He has been anointed and appointed by God. Nothing man says can limit him. So, I welcome and present to some and
introduce to others my son Justin J. Pearson, Tennessee State [Applause] Representative Mommy, I love you. Love you more. Give it up for Dr.
[Applause] Mommy. Indeed, I've been asked to give words of inspiration. And there is no greater inspiration than a mother who raised five black sons, who graduated from this high school already with two
children when she was y'all's age, and today she's a doctor of education from the University of Memphis. Can't nobody tell me what God can do. What he's done for others, he certainly can do for you. I I've got a short limited amount of
time to share a few words with this wonderful class and then I'm going to be done. Uh for those who are in the audience, I saw somebody praising God and raising their hands. You can do that. Uh I if you got some in your spirit that just looks back over the
last many years of these kids' lives, all the things that they've been through and some gets up in you that says, "God, we thank you. You can do that." And for this amazing class of 2025, know that each and every one of us is proud of
you. We are proud of you. We are proud of you. We are proud of you. We are proud of you. We are proud of you. We are proud of you. Westwood is proud of you. District
86 is proud of you. The state of Tennessee is proud of each and every one of you. It ain't easy to get to this point in place. And you got to know that we proud of you. I I do. I do. To my parents, uh
my mom obviously graduated class uh of 92. My dad, Reverend Jason C. Pearson, graduated Westwood, class of 91. I'm born, built, bred in Westwood, through and through, true and true. and we ain't going
nowhere. To principal Watson, this is Steen Falete and alumni including many of my aunts and uncles and aunties. Thank you all so much for the opportunity to be here and give a round of applause to my nephew Corey who started my introduction. He was on the
student congress going to college with a full ride scholarship to the superintendent to the education commissioners who are here. Other distinguished guests thank you again for the opportunity. I have just a few moments to share in this time that
is mine with yours for I know the most beautiful thing to happen is when you leave here and you take many pictures and you get to remember this moment this accomplishment that you all have done as a family. James Baldwin, one of the greatest writers, one of the greatest architects of black intellectualism of
the 20th century, said these words, "To be a negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in rage almost all the time." You know what this rage looks like when three police officers who murdered Tyrie Nichols get
off and they're told that they're not guilty? That rage that's within us when the color of our skin is deemed a crime rather than a particular action. You know, the rage of poverty that continues to hurt and harm and our communities with the minimum wage being
$7.25. There are things that are happening in our communities that ought to make you enraged. We've got a billionaire named Elon Musk seeking to pollute our community in Westwood and Boxtown and West Junction and Walker Homes. You've got to be in rage
sometimes if if if if you are to be relatively conscious. You all have learned valuable lessons over your years from preK through 12. Some of you have learned trigonometry and g geometry. You understand Pythagorean theorem better than I ever will. Some of you have had
dual enrollment classes. Others of you have learned and earned cosmetology licenses. You all have a strong post-secary trajectory. I know some of you have written plays and acted in them. Some of you have played on the football field and learned valuable skills as your validictorian mentioned.
And I I love all of those things, but I'm I'm not going to talk to you about those things. In fact, I just want you to remember the first three letters of the alphabet. A, B, and C. Always be
conscious. Always be conscious. The A the A and I'm almost out of here already. And I mean it. Not like a black preacher. I mean it. I'm almost out of here. But a acknowledge the ancestors. Realize that you didn't get
here by yourself. There was some folks who prayed and cried. Some folks who toiled and served in order that you could get to this. Never forget that it was illegal for centuries for you or me to be able to read. To to know your own
name was a crime. know that in this country, these United States of America, you could have been lynched. You could have lost a limb of your life just for knowing how to read. You got to remember the people who came before us in order for us to get here. And remember those
who now still continue to fight and to work two and three and four jobs just to keep a roof over your head and food on your table. Ju just remember the people who helped you to get to where you are so that you can be who we know God's called you to be. Acknowledge the
ancestors, the people who came before you. And always take the time to tell folks thank you today. Today we celebrate your accomplishment and your success. But don't forget about mama who took you to the game. Don't forget about your brother who taught you to read. Don't
forget about your sister who encouraged you to keep studying. Thank people because you didn't get to where you are by yourself. I'm I'm I'm almost done. Acknowledge the ancestors and those who help you to get to where you are. Be be be strong and courageous in your
belovedness. You are a beloved child of God. You are an extraordinary creation. You're just as tall as God wanted you to be, just as short as God needed you to be, just as dark or just as light as God chose the pallet to be. Remember that you are
beloved just the way you are and for who you are. Because we live in a world and a society that will try will try to your understanding of your self-identity. It it's a society y'all know on Tik Tok and Instagram and tell you if you don't got this much money, if you don't look this kind of way, if you
don't do these kind of things, then you don't have value. You don't have worth. But I'm just here stopping by on your commitment to remind you that you are beloved and that you are enough. Our family. our family. Y'all from Westwood, y'all my constituents, y'all my people. Y'all know what our family's
gone through. I lost one of my brothers. My parents lost their son by suicide in December when I was sitting at this very place 12 years ago graduating. I would have never thought that I would be back to this place and my brother would not be here. And if anyone is ever
struggling with thoughts of self harm or suicide, call 988. Look to your neighbor and say 988. 98. look to your other neighbor and say 988. If you're ever struggling with thoughts of self harm or suicide, call 988. But if I could talk to him, and I
do try to talk with him, I remind him of his belovedness. That there's nothing in this world that can detract away from the goodness that God's already placed within you. So remember that as you continue to toil and continue to work and do the the the work that you have
been called to do in this life. See, and then I'm done. commit to the community. Memphis and Shelby County, matter of fact, this country got some problems. And we need some good people of goodwill and good conscience to help us to solve
them. We aren't going to be able to beat billionaires who are trying to kill and poison our communities alone. We need y'all to vote and be engaged and fight back and support the future that you deserve and the future that you believe in. We need for you to commit to the
cause of community because the only way that we make Westwood better, 38109 better, Shelby County better is if we do it together. But we got to have some folks who commit recognizing that you cannot succeed and be successful alone.
You cannot achieve the greatness that you want to achieve without the greatness of other people being achieved. Commit to community because we are counting on you. We in Westwood and Walker Home, West Junction, Boxtown. We counting on y'all to step up, to step
in, to support the change that we need. And this I'mma get out of here. There's no story of an architect and a contractor. The architect had lots of jobs, lots of houses and homes that he
was always constructing for folk, but he always had a particular contractor that he would go to. And the architect came to this contractor one day who wanted to build a home for a dentist. And the contractor was wellreceived and well regarded because he always chose the best materials. It was the the best
granite, the the best brick, would always do the perfect measurements in order to build the perfect home. And the dentist was very happy. And again, the architect came to the contractor because a teacher wanted a new home built. And again, the contractor did everything well. They measured everything twice.
They cut the best wood. They received the best granite. They went and visited the people to make sure that the house was built just perfectly. And they did this hundreds or thousands of times. And the contractor finally says to the architect that I'm done. Says, "I'm done building houses. I'm going into
retirement." And the architect says, "Can you just build me one more house?" He says, "This will be the last one." He gives them gives them the the the specs for the home. And the contractor, the contractor doesn't use the best materials, doesn't use the best brick,
doesn't use the best ruler and measurements. But the architect, after he says the home is complete, hands him the keys and said, "This is a home for you. Always give the best of your service.
Whether you're going to college or not, whatever you are doing next, always give the best of your service. And I can promise you on behalf of these beautiful people, when you give the best of your service, you going to have some folks rooting for you. You going to have some folks cheering for you. You going to
have some folks clapping for you, you going to have some folks fighting for you because we want to see you become what God has called for you to be. Congratulations, class of 2025. [Applause]
[Music] [Applause] [Music] Miss
Mr. Justin J. Pearson, would you please come forward? [Applause] [Music] It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that I present this gift to you on behalf of the 2025 graduating
class of Westwood High School. We know that the words of inspiration imparted by you today will be lamps unto our feet as we move into this next chapter of our lives. Thank you and all the best to you in your future endeavors. Thank you so
much. You're welcome. Congratulations. Thank you. [Music] [Applause] [Music] All right, it's about that time, I believe.
[Applause] [Music] I would like to at this time present to you the esteemed graduating
class of 2025 Westwood High School. Y'all give it up for Westwood's 2025 graduating [Applause] class. At this time, our board member Williams will come and confer the
diplomas for the graduating class of 2025. Thank you. Thank you very much. I want you to know that there is a place called Westwood where people live and pay taxes and take care of their property and they want the
same thing the folks in other parts of Memphis want. So we are sure that Westwood is on the rise again and it will return. I want to introduce the chair of the school board who's here. Please stand and one of our other school board friends who's here. Thank you for coming.
At this time, by the power that is vested in me, I declare that these students at Westwood High School have met the standards of
this state. I also say by the power invested in me and the by the state of Tennessee, the governor, the city council, the county commission, and others, I hereby declare diplomas to be awarded to the members of the May 2025
graduating class of White H of White Westwood High School. Okay. Thank you, Westwood graduates. and thank you Westwood High School for
all the work that you do and everything that you do counts. At this time, I will confer and release diplomas to all of the students who've completed this time for graduation and the principal will call the road.
[Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Add
At this time, led by the valadictorian, will the Westwood High School class of 2025, as I call your name, please proceed forward to receiving your high school diploma.
[Applause] Cedarian Dwayne Kelly, Diamond Celeste [Applause]
Harvell, Jasmine Inz Williams, Tedarian Anthony Austin, [Applause] Elelliana Lache Chandler, Maya Shenise Thomas, Taniah Danielle Smith, Corey Ares Carr
[Applause] II, Sarah Denise [Applause] Wear, Kamaya Nicole Calhoun,
[Applause] Jamira Jamara Latrice Harris, Britney Renee [Applause]
Bakus, Jamaia Desardway, [Applause] Micaia Denise [Applause] Anderson, Jaylen Kishan, Marian,
[Applause] Ansley Marina Harris, [Applause] McKenzie Denia
[Applause] Horton, Jamilia Adriana [Applause] Beckton, Kendria Denise Townson, [Applause] Israel Tristan Neil
[Applause] Thompson, Destiny Michaela Willis, Jada Amisha Web. [Applause] [Music]
[Applause] Maya Anise Douglas Cordarius Demetrius Robersonson [Applause] Shamaya L. Austin
[Applause] Briana Trevina [Applause] Cobb Zakaya Kamora [Applause] [Music] Booten Raquel Lache Fully Love
[Applause] April Len [Applause] Oliver, Taquan DeAndre [Music]
Aldridge, Marcus Leonard Austin, [Applause] Rihanna Renise [Applause]
Bernard, Jerick Aki Benson, Tadarius Bishop, Ma Michelle [Applause] Boone, Deario von [Applause] Boyd, Morian Deshawn
Boyd, Chamria Des Bridges, [Applause] is Marshall Durell Bridges Unique and Britain, Karion Mai [Applause]
Bronson, Takira Latrice Campbell, [Applause] Prince Jericho Dwayne [Applause]
Carney, Alani Meiss [Applause] Chapel, Raven May Coleman, Dori Margarita Coronada Aragosia.
[Applause] [Music] Briana Reise [Applause] Crawford Efron S.
Davis, Joaya Monnique [Applause] [Music] Davis, Cortez El Dos, Dearan Deshan Dorsey, Avant Jacob
[Applause] Douglas, La Paris Datan [Applause] Dyson, Jamal Dylan Eckles,
[Music] [Applause] Nemi Edwards, [Applause] Artivio Miguel, Francisco, [Applause]
Ariana, Dominique Armen, [Applause] [Music] Carriio Marquez Harris, Cavon Dasio
[Applause] Howard, Shamaya Lache Hudson, [Applause] Jarus J.
[Applause] Jackson, Xavier [Applause] Jackson, Franco C. Johnson, Muel Jeremiah Johnson, Laniah Jones
[Music] Smith, Leaf Frederick Samar [Applause] Jette, Jakair Sarah Q.
[Applause] Kennedy, Briana Renee [Music] [Applause] Malone, Ashanti Jriia
[Applause] McCracken, Dariel Ardesia Lakesha Matthews. [Applause]
[Music] [Applause] [Applause] Haric [Applause] Miller Arisa Shamia Norman
Jamal Montreal [Applause] Haynes, Kamitra Henson, Kiana Latrice Pool, [Applause] John Tyler
[Applause] Richard, Avon Germaine Robinson, Rachel Molina Robinson, Devin Bernard Scott,
Nemi Maurice [Applause] Steals, Sierra Ariel [Applause]
Shaw, Bobby Lewis Smith, Tez Guate Smith, [Applause] Cameo Terrell [Applause]
Stevenson, Jayla Annayia Tabbert, [Applause] Zadarian Jahi Lming [Applause]
Thomas Ariel Marie [Applause] Utley Scarlet Valyria Vasquez Aloe [Applause]
[Music] Jamaiah McQuisha [Applause] Walton, Zakara Janie [Applause] Washington, Jaden Amad Webb,
[Applause] Gabrielle Nina Rose Wilkins, Aviana Marie [Applause] White, and Madison Wright.
[Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause]
If you didn't believe before, you better believe now. We hang our hat on the mantra that we believe in Westwood. We dare to dream it. We strive to achieve it. We don't make any excuses. Here go your results right
here. I present to some and introduce to others the graduating class of 2025 at Westwood High School. [Applause] [Music] [Music]
Now, at this time, I would like for all my graduates to turn your tassels to the left side. Now graduates, at this time you're going to be under direction of Miss Darden family. They will meet you out there. At
this time they will transition and meet you outside. Just stay one minute. Heat. [Music]
Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music]