- June 22, 2025
Senior Class President Samayra Cabrera and Student Government Association President Jessi Naupari shared the podium at Matanzas High School’s 2025 Graduation Ceremony on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 29, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
Naupari noted that the Matanzas graduates are part of the largest national high school graduation class in American history.
“We are part of a moment that’s bigger than ourselves: The voices of the future, the hearts full of change and the hands ready to build a better world,” she said.
“But the size of the class is only a small reflection of the impact we are going to make,” Cabrera added. “People coming from different backgrounds to create a future of diverse leaders. Standing here as two Hispanic female leaders we are proud to be an example of a future of inclusive leadership.”
Fellow graduate Maria Martins, who moved here from Brazil with her family in 2016, spoke about overcoming obstacles.
“As we step into a new phase of our lives, more challenges will come our way,” she said. “Remember, those challenges are there to shape you and make you the great human that you are.”
Principal Kristin Bozeman praised the accomplishments of the 2025 class. Among them were 48 graduates who also completed the AICE Diploma Award, 31 graduates who also earned associate degrees from Daytona State College and 24 of those who graduated from DSC with honors or high honors.
A total of 214 Matanzas graduates earned honor status of cum laude, summa cum laude or magna cum laude with weighted GPAs of 3.75 or higher, and 311 earned industry certifications — by far the most in school history, Bozeman said.
Bozeman and Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore advised the graduates not to be afraid to take risks.
“There will be setbacks,” Moore said. “View them as an opportunity for growth in discovering your own strengths.”
Moore also told the class to remember the importance of kindness, integrity and empathy.
“True success is not just measured by achievement but by the positive impacts you have on others and the contributions you make to your community,” she said.
Graduate Alexi Rosario also spoke at the ceremony, and told her classmates, “Don’t try to chase perfection, chase meaning, chase the kind of life that fills your soul and not just your resume´.”
Naupari and Cabrera closed their speech in unison: “Congratulations Class of 2025. Let’s go show the world what we’re made of.”
