Graduation starts early for approximately 700 seniors at Palm Beach Central High School who will be graduating as part of the Class of 2025, walking across the stage at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Friday, May 16 during a ceremony starting at 8 a.m.
“Graduation is always one of the most rewarding moments of the school year,” Principal Reginald Myers said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the joy on the faces of our graduates and their families as they cross the stage. It’s a celebration of hard work, determination and the promise of a bright future. I can’t wait to hear the cheers, see the smiles and honor each student’s unique journey. Watching each graduate walk across the stage, proud and full of potential, is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”
This school year has been a great one for the Bronco Nation, he said, with student and staff success on and off the field, vibrant school spirit and an inspiring energy across campus.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished this year — not only in preparing the Class of 2025 for post-graduate success, but also in laying a strong foundation for our underclassmen as they continue their academic journey,” he said. “Together, we are shaping bright futures and fostering a culture of excellence across our school community.”
The Class of 2025, he said, holds a special place in his heart, as they have grown to share a strong sense of community, purpose and pride — becoming compassionate, driven and resilient students who lead by example.
“They embody the values we promote at Palm Beach Central and serve as incredible role models for the students who follow,” Myers said. “This class has faced and conquered a range of challenges over the years — from academic pressures and personal growth journeys to navigating the lasting effects of post-pandemic learning. They’ve emerged stronger, more focused and more determined than ever. Their ability to adapt, support one another and still reach high levels of achievement is a true testament to their character and perseverance.”
Leading the way will be valedictorian Jennifer Han and salutatorian Sarita Atehortua.
Han will be attending Rice University, majoring in neuroscience, with a minor in medical humanities.
When she found out she had secured the top spot for her class, she felt grateful. “I felt like all of my work over high school came together,” Han said. “It made me realize how everything I do outside of school comes together to make me the person I am.”
Her parents congratulated her and told her how proud they were of her, her hard work and her dedication.
For other students who would like to rank high in their class, Han has this advice: “Find your intrinsic motivation, whether that be your family or your career goals. Don’t do something if you hate it. Do it because you love it and you care for it, whether that’s academic or community. And don’t get caught up in other people’s opinion about what you’re doing, because when you succeed, other people will see that and naturally support you.”
Over the next few months, Han is looking forward to a family trip to China to reconnect and explore her roots. “We’re headed to Beijing,” she said, “and I’m very excited.”
She’s looking forward to enjoying the lull between high school and undergrad, where she can live in the moment, not worrying about building her résumé or keeping her grades up.
“You can let go and you have your future set for you, where you’re going to college, and you don’t have to worry about where you’re at right now,” Han said. “You finally get to be present. And I love that.”
To the Class of 2025, Han emphasizes that everyone’s path or goals might look different, but that doesn’t mean you’re ahead or behind. Everyone has their own definition of success, and you shouldn’t let others define you, she explained. A quote she once saw on a street sign really resonated with her: “Maybe your path is harder because your calling is higher.”
Han’s list of accomplishments is vast, with some highlights including: AICE Diploma with Distinction, 2024 Sunshine State Scholar, 2025 National Merit Commended Scholar, 2024 Student Motivational Award for Resolutions Today (SMART), Kenan Fellows Intern for the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, 2024 Regeneron Biomedical Science Award, Second Place in Microbiology in the 2024 Palm Beach Regional Science Fair, 2024 Wen Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Chemistry, 2024 State Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, Honorable Mention, and Outstanding Project in the Senior Division.
Atehortua was surprised when she was called into the office for the news that she was second in the class.
“I expected it to be about Dance Marathon, because we got called down the Monday after our event was on Saturday, and I thought they just wanted to congratulate us,” she recalled. “But when I found out, I was so excited. The first thing I thought about was telling my mom because I know my mom was really looking forward to it.”
Her mother started crying when she got the call. But she had to wait until her father got home from work to tell him, and he was excited as well. They knew how much hard work she put into it.
For other students who want to rank high in their class, Atehortua suggests having a good balance of academics and extracurriculars, as well as a social life.
“I would also say to do dual enrollment; it’s so important,” she said. “I didn’t realize it then, but it definitely boosted my GPA.”
Atehortua will be attending the University of Florida in the fall, studying business administration and pre-law.
But before she starts, she’s looking forward to spending time with family and friends, and savoring the last big events of high school, like prom and Grad Bash. Then, she’s excited to prepare for her apartment in Gainesville.
She’d like to tell the rest of her class that, “As cliché as it sounds, everything happens for a reason, and everything will fall into place.”
Atehortua speaks both Spanish and English fluently, and she has enjoyed being a translator, helping families where the parents don’t speak English, or the children don’t speak Spanish. She said her biggest accomplishment in high school is raising more than $100,000 for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as a junior and senior head of Dance Marathon.
Atehortua’s accomplishments also include being varsity cheer captain for the 2024 Sideline Season, AICE Diploma recipient, Junior Achievement volunteer and a Pathfinder Nominee for Business.
“I am incredibly proud of the Class of 2025 — and of Bronco Nation as a whole,” Myers said. “This class has left an indelible mark on our school’s legacy. I also want to thank our dedicated faculty, staff and families for being the support system that helped guide the Class of 2025 to reach this milestone. The future is theirs to shape, and I have no doubt they will do so with excellence, integrity and heart.”
