Over the past several weeks, hundreds of Northwest Philadelphia and Southeast Montgomery County students walked across a stage to accept their diplomas as members of the graduating class of 2025. Among them are some of the region's top students who celebrated their graduations by giving speeches that looked back at their high school days, and ahead, in anticipation of the years to come. 

Below are a few of the many who displayed outstanding academic achievement and won the honor of being their school’s graduation speaker and/or valedictorian. 

Teddy Helgerson

Welcome Speaker, Germantown Friends School 

Helgerson, a student at GFS since preschool, served as co-captain of the varsity baseball team, sang in the a cappella choir, and played violin with the school’s chamber ensemble. An assistant coach with Mount Airy Baseball, Helgerson plans to play at Swarthmore College where he will enroll in the fall. “While GFS has taught us to be active and vocal in all circles of life, sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is be silent," Helgerson said. 

Mia Rutledge

Senior Class Speaker, Germantown Friends School

Rutledge has attended GFS since kindergarten. She served as a captain of girls varsity soccer and as leader of the Black Student Union, overseeing the school’s Black History Month assembly. She plans to attend Emory University. "I've witnessed you all recreate, reiterate, and authenticate your identities into something that's so graciously yourselves," Rutledge said as part of her valedictory address.

Zarin DeVeaux

Senior Class Speaker, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

DeVeaux, senior class president who plans to attend Spelman College in the fall, highlighted the importance of new experiences during her graduation speech. “Each and every one of us will end up where we’re meant to be,” she said. “That doesn’t mean things won’t be challenging at times — but it does mean we should keep working hard. And last, but definitely not least, remember all the people who are there for you and want you to succeed, including your family at home.”

Taylor Foley

Senior Class Speaker, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Foley, the co-student body president and valedictorian, addressed her class, speaking about the impact of her peers on her high school experience. “You have taught me that strangers can become family. You have all taught me how to find comfort in the unknown,” said Foley, who plans to attend Gettysburg College and play field hockey at the school. “Over the past four years, I’ve learned that the best moments, the ones that truly shape us, often come when we step out of our comfort zones.”

Sophia Stromberg 

Senior Class Speaker, Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Stromberg gives special thanks to her advisor Mrs. Lisa Boyle, mentor Brandon Graham, teachers Mr. Michael Nevadomski, Mrs. Katherine King, and Mrs. Mary Kate Steinmetz, and most importantly, her parents and loved ones. “Don’t be afraid to try things. Say, ‘yes.’ Ask questions. Let yourself grow,” said Stromberg, who plans to attend Clemson University.  “Every experience teaches you something, even the ones that don’t go perfectly. And when things feel difficult  — which they will at times  — know that you’re not the only one going through something. You’re not alone.” 

Bridgette Gold

Student Speaker, William Penn Charter School

During her speech, Gold highlighted accomplishments by her peers, including organizing against gun violence and advocating for more sustainability. She plans to attend Tufts University in the fall. “Passion is what fuels our one ‘wild and precious life.’ In my eyes, the most powerful thing about our grade is our willingness and determination to use our voice,” Gold said in her speech, referencing the poem “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. “The most common phrase heard in your high school career is that ‘your life starts after graduation.’ From what I've seen, my classmates did not take that advice to heart. The class of 2025 has used their voice to create change in school and beyond.”

Arielle Willis

Student Speaker, William Penn Charter School

Willis, of Mt. Airy, recalled her favorite school memories in her speech and told classmates she had found her voice at Penn Charter. “This class is a group of people who, in a tied game, with two outs, the bottom of the seventh, and the tying run on third, want the ball in our hands because we know we can make the play,” said Willis, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania. “We can change the choreography on opening night because we know that perfection is within our reach. We are changemakers who stay informed and will give our all in hopes of even the possibility of a better world.”

Joy Jackson, 

Senior Student Standout, Walter B. Saul High School

Jackson told the Local that one of her favorite sayings is a quote from Irish playwright, poet, and author Oscar Wilde: “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” Jackson is planning to attend Pennsylvania State University (University Park Campus) and will pursue a career in STEM, majoring in animal science. She says she wants to “focus on animal behavior, particularly studying the [difference] between [instinctive] behavior,” with a concentration on emotion and cognitive behavior.