Sedona Red Rock High School’s class of 2025, consisting of 71 students, along with seven Red Rock Academy students, graduated on Wednesday, May 21, on the school’s athletic field.
For a full photo gallery of the event click here.
“The class of 2025 has left an incredible legacy of unity, positivity and school spirit,” SRRHS Principal Heather Isom said. “From the very beginning of their senior year, they worked together to build a fun and inclusive culture where every student felt welcome and valued. Their enthusiasm was contagious, whether painting their parking spots, leading spirit weeks or planning senior events. They showed what it means to be engaged in supportive classmates.”
Ramon Betancourt, Justin Cosgrove, Alexis Flores Casas, Laura Guerra, Erick Guerra Vasquez, Axel Martinez and Israel Montanez were the third cohort of SRRHS students to earn associate’s degrees from Yavapai College through the early college program.
“This year we have seen tremendous success in academics,” Isom said. “AP Capstone students demonstrated their critical thinking research collaboration and presentation skills in AP seminar and AP research … We have three students who have earned the AP Capstone certificate, Sharadevi Abrahamson Wolvekamp, Amy Brefeld and Yonas Rahman. We have three AP Capstone Diploma candidates, Olivia Glatt, Oli Paydar and Alana Schrader. And we have one AP Capstone diploma scholar with distinction, Emily Frey. Each of you is a force to be reckoned with and so inspiring to those around you.”
The 2025 SRRHS Super Kind award went to Ashley Calogero, who will be studying global security and intelligence studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“Ashley is the kind of person who never lets anyone feel invisible,” Isom said. “Her warm presence ensures that every person she encounters feels seen and valued. She lifts others with her words, her actions and her quiet leadership, whether she’s offering advice to middle school students, helping her teammates or just checking in with a classmate who needs a kind word. Ashley reminds us that kindness is a strength.”
Math teacher Jim Vogler was the faculty speaker for the second consecutive year after being named the 2025 Teacher of the Year by the school’s Senior Club.
“I cherished every moment that I had with these fine individuals this time of the year, right before Memorial Day,” said Vogler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “I don’t do well, because this is a time that we mourn and remember the good times for those that did not come home.”
Volger said he thought that Jaden Kuhn and Abel Lopez Villa would make exceptional educators after graduating college.
“I can remember seventh grade, Matiga [McGrath] every week coming in and advocating about a grade, and if she was upset about one grade, not necessarily mine, it was my job to listen to her and motivate her to get the job done, to get the A,” Vogler said. [Abrahamson Wolvekamp], you’re going to be a great veterinarian … and [Betancourt] him and his sassiness and his hard work. I’m going to miss you. Holy mackerel, I got gray hairs because of him.”
“I hope your country’s at peace when you get home,” Vogler said. “When you do get home, please keep your head down. Don’t do anything stupid. And my family’s praying for you … God bless.”
“We may forget your names because we’re old, but we won’t forget your face,” Vogler said. “Goodbye, 2025.”
Student body president Abel Villa gave a bilingual address.
“I would like to take a moment to give thanks to the woman who’s my hero, my inspiration and my favorite friend, my mother,” said Villa, the middle child of Angelica, a single mother.
“If there’s anything I have learned this year, it is to never procrastinate, and to most of us, this means doing our homework five minutes before it’s due, as well as waiting until the last day to study for a test,” Villa said. “But to me, this means never taking moments for granted, never being afraid to take opportunities. Time runs out and moments fade away, which is why you must live day by day, appreciating everything you have. Don’t wait until the sad moments to express your love to those around you.”
“Tomorrow begins a story that hasn’t been written yet,” senior class Valedictorian Frey said. “We get to choose who we want to be, what we want to stand for, and how we want to grow. That’s the beauty of this moment. It’s not just an ending, it’s a beginning full of possibility. The mistakes and missteps don’t have to follow us, the labels, the doubts, the pressure to be someone we’re not. They don’t have to come with us. We get to rewrite the narrative starting right now. Thank you and congratulations.”
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Karyl Goldsmith led a “rose ceremony” during which seniors presented a rose to those they wanted to thank for helping them graduate.
“I’m retiring this year after 31 years in the district, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have been here,” Goldsmith said. “My message to the graduating class is what I used to teach in class, which is always, be true to yourself. Be kind, be thoughtful. Have goals and you will achieve them, and I feel like I’m graduating too, so I wish I had a cap to throw.”
All of the graduates were presented with their diplomas on the stage after SRRHS Site Council Chairwoman Sara McAtee requested assistance from the community to get special needs students onto the platform.
“The Wood Joint … graciously said they are fully donating the wheelchair ramp,” SRRHS Site Council Chairwoman Sara McAtee wrote in a recent email. Lesley Wagner, a 2000 graduate of SRRHS saw an article in the Sedona Red Rock News “and immediately wanted to help.”
Following the conferring of the diplomas McAtee’s son Nic led his graduates in the turning of the tassel.
“This simple gesture symbolizes the pride we feel in our accomplishments, the progress we’ve made over the past four years at Sedona Red Rock High School, and the beginning of a new purpose as we step into the next chapter of our lives,” McAtee said.
