Click on the above image for more photos from MWHS Graduation 2025.
June 3, 2025 — High school graduation is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the culmination of years of learning. Mound Westonka High School honored the 174 members of the 2025 graduating class on June 2 at a ceremony in the high school gym, where the Class of 2025 enthusiastically accepted diplomas in front of family, friends, teachers, and school staff.
Co-presidents Stella Miner and Mason Sebasky greeted those in attendance and their fellow graduates on behalf of Student Senate. The students chosen to speak were Braeden Trundle and Emma Carlson.
Principal Jolene Herfel introduced the honor faculty members and thanked them for devoting their talents to the students of MWHS. The regalia for staff members was generously donated by Friends of MWHS. Herfel also introduced graduates who were entering military service and asked all members of the audience who had served in the military to stand and be recognized. College scholarship recipients were also recognized by Herfel.
Assistant Principal Marty Fischer introduced the students who were graduating with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude honors. The MWHS band presented “Solas Ane” by Samuel Hazo. The MWHS choir, including senior soloist Haylee Larson, performed “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus.
Principal Herfel said she was proud to reflect on a wonderful year as she introduced the Class of 2025. “You have left a legacy that goes far beyond your academic achievements,” she said. “You celebrated each other’s accomplishments as if they were your own. You didn’t just learn about community, you created one.”
Superintendent Kevin Borg announced that it was his pleasure to announce that this class has met the graduation requirements, and to speak not only as a staff member, but as a parent. “Your parents are, and I am, so proud of you, and we look forward to the success that we know lies ahead of you,” said Borg. “It is an honor to present you to our school board representatives.”
Students gave Ann Baumann and Wendy Richards the prestigious honor of reading the class roll. Diplomas were conferred by school board members Loren Davis and Gary Wollner.
Students graduating Summa Cum Laude included Isaac Aud, Phaedra Bain, Tanner Blume, Olivia Bode, Anna Borg, Emma Carlson, Luke Carlson, Jaden Christ, Andrew Colestock, Cole Drill, Addison Eaton, Tor Erdahl, Ruby Finck, Brooke Garlock, Kayla Hatlestad, Isaac Hays, Jessica Hoernemann, Rachel Jense, Annemarie Johnson, Raul Jordan, Audrey Kirscht, Max Kraay, Piper Landsman, Elliott Lang, Alexa Leonard, Miles Lund, Claire Lynch-Bastide, Cooper Magnus, Stella Miner, Charlotte Mitlyng, Matthew Mobagi, Cole Munsterteiger, Rohan Nella, Camille Ness, Gracie O’Halloran, Avery Olson, Jacob Orenge, Claire Rashleger, Amber Sanchez-McConnell, Peyton Schmidt, Mason Sebasky, Brenden Sexton, Sara Sipprell, Braeden Trundle, Lauren Velander, Eric von Holtz, Mia Weaver, Whittney Wellumson, and Jagger Wittine.
Magna Cum Laude graduates were Trevor Andrews, Andrew Finley, Eli Frerichs, Ashley Ham, Sabrina Kaganovsky, Maya Lada, June Montzka, Morgan Murch, Astrid Nelson, Taryn Peglow, Ellie Putnam, Betsy Rivers, Trysten Rogstad, William Salvati, and Madeleine Sanders.
Cum Laude graduates included Anri Akiyama-Finger, Ayda Dirks, Caitlin Farley, Haylee Larson, Tristen Larson, Emma Levitz, Katelyn Neal, Aubrey Nye, Calvin Pouchnik, Myonna Regan, and Sophia Reimer.
A floral arrangement on the diploma table was placed in honor of classmate Tommy Nash, representing his energy and light now shining through the kindness of others. Superintendent Borg carried out the arrangement during the recessional.
“You made this school a better place,” said Principal Herfel. “And more importantly, you inspired those coming after you that they can, too. The world needs more people like those of you in the Class of 2025.”
2025 Mound Westonka High School Graduation Program
'Senior Walk' Tradition Continues
Click on the above image for more photos of the Class of 2025 Senior Walk.
On May 29, the Class of 2025 took part in the treasured Senior Walk tradition, which started in 2018. Graduating seniors paraded through the campuses of Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools, as well as Grandview Middle School.
The walk was meant to inspire the young students, who greeted the graduates with cheers and handmade signs, as they shared in the excitement of graduation. The graduating seniors had the opportunity to see their favorite teachers and look back on their former schools in one of their last activities as a class.
