This year’s graduating class of Fairfax High Lions is special for many reasons, including its students’ diversity, empathy and academic excellence. And at the outset of their June 5 commencement, Principal Georgina Aye spoke to the grads from her heart.

“What makes Fairfax High an amazing place are its 576 graduates representing 62 countries and 14 different languages,” she said. “As I stand here today before you, my Lion heart swells. For the past three years, it’s been my privilege to be your principal – and what a transformative journey it’s been.”

Not only have these students changed between their freshmen and senior years, said Aye, but they also transformed the school’s teachers and staff for the better. “When I look at this class, I don’t just see students – I see a pride of Lions,” she said. “And like the jungle’s royalty, the Class of 2025 embodies the characteristics necessary to conquer the hardest paths life will throw at them.”

Aye said this class has taken the most AP, dual-enrollment and advanced-certificate classes in the school’s history. But equally important, she stressed, is that these students “have shown what it truly means to be a lion – not just in your individual strength – but in the power of your collective spirit.

“The heart of the lion is grounded in empathy and accountability. A pride of lions functions as a unit and supports one another, and you’ve shown immense empathy throughout your time here. Many of you have faced challenges that your peers may not know, or you may have shared with them.”

Besides difficult classes and the “traditional growing pains” of the teenage years, said Aye, these challenges include “leaving behind the familiarity of a country to escape persecution, adapting to a new country’s culture and language, and enduring the profound loss of a loved one.

“Yet through these personal challenges, you leaned on one another, offering support, understanding and kindness. This deep well of empathy has made our school a more compassionate, inclusive and better place to be.”

And, she said, “With empathy comes accountability. You’ve taken ownership of your learning, actions, impact and commitment to our community. You’ve learned that being accountable means not only taking responsibility for your mistakes, but also for your successes and for the wellbeing of those around you. This is the mark of leadership and a true Lion’s legacy.”

Aye said student success is grounded in hard work, self-advocacy and relentless drive. “This isn’t just about grades,” she said. “It’s about developing the discipline and perseverance that’ll serve you in all aspects of your life, moving forward. The average high-school student spends 4,758 hours in class. And if involved in a club, activity or sport, they’re estimated to be in school for over 10,000 hours. You’ve been here a long time.”

She said the grads have learned to speak up for themselves, ask for help when needed, pursue their goals with conviction and “roar the loudest in the room” when injustice or something unkind occurs. Calling these things “critical skills,” Aye told the students to “never lose your voice and never lose your roar.”

The ability to adapt has also defined this class, she said, from “navigating the aftermath of a global pandemic to [dealing with] new, school cellphone policies. You understood new boundaries and moved forward with grace. You showed change isn’t a barrier, but an opportunity to grow, learn and find new ways to thrive.

“The willingness to conquer new terrain is one of your greatest strengths. You’ll always be challenged with two paths – one, easy, and one, challenging. Take the challenging one because you’ll be better for it.” Aye then told the students to remember the Lion within them and let its attributes guide their next endeavors.

“Embrace the challenges that lie ahead with the same strengths you’ve [already] shown,” she said. “Face the unknown with the courage that brought you here, and continue to lead with empathy, accountability and hard work. And always advocate for yourselves in ways that’ll make the world a better place for all of us to live in.”

Returning to the idea of transformation, Aye left the grads with a lyric from the musical, “Wicked,” telling them, “‘Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.’ May it apply to your friendships, families and faculty. Because I’ve been able to know you, Class of 2025, I’ve also been changed for good. We’re immensely proud of each and every one of you.”

Speaking next was physics teacher Pete Peterson, who offered advice via two physics lessons. First, he said friction moves people forward, when used the right way. “When there’s friction between friends, use it to understand each other better, work together more effectively and, as a result, build a stronger relationship,” said Peterson. “And when learning something new, don’t let friction stall your progress.” 

Second, he said, quantum mechanics enables people to consider two opposing ideas at the same time and still function. “As you’re about to graduate, you probably feel both optimistic and a little anxious about your future,” he told the students. “I hope you turn that anxious feeling into the friction that propels you forward.”

Then English teacher Cheryl Spevak introduced honor graduate Vy Tran. “Her unique spirit consistently reminds others to do and be good,” said Spevak. “Vy’s authentic goodness makes her a role model for this community, including its adults. She has a keen understanding of marginalized communities and wants to create a safe space for them. She’s a gregarious and loving senior who’s absolutely going to make this world a better place.”

“The fact that we can say we’re leaving Fairfax High with so much more than we came into it with is something worth celebrating,” said Tran. “As a 14-year-old intimidated by other teenagers, I was an entirely different person from who I am now. I was an introvert terrified of trying new things. But Fairfax transformed me. Each of us carved out our own space; [yet] there’s so much community to be found here.”

“We’ve learned to find each other between our heartwarming hellos in the hallways, in the 6 minutes between bio and lunch, when we huddle together with friends to talk about how our day has been,” she continued. “We’re a collective of humans who can exude kindness so freely. You can feel it with every teacher, staff member and fellow classmate.

“It’s a testament to how incredible each and every person here at Fairfax is. What defines Fairfax High isn’t our school colors or the Lions plastered [everywhere] – it’s the people. It’s you and me and all of us. Every experience we’ve had here made us who we are. The memories we made are always going to be with us and will allow us to spread our wings and take off. Thank you, Fairfax, for all you’ve done to help us grow and learn.”

Senior Class President Ivy Anyango presented the class gift to the school – an industrial ice cream machine. She then told her fellow grads to “Keep on showing up for yourselves with resilience and persistence. Continue to decorate your stories, just as you’ve decorated your caps – with pride, joy and meaning.”