Malden High School graduates 436 with the Class of 2025

The 181st Commencement held at Macdonald Stadium Sunday as this year’s seniors ‘Made it Happen’

By Steve Freker

The true stars of the show shone brightly Sunday, just as the sun did at Macdonald Stadium on Sunday for the 181st Malden High School Commencement Exercises. Sunny skies and perfect temperatures in the low 70s graced the afternoon, with family and friends packing the stands as 436 members of this year’s Senior Class of 2025 were awarded their diplomas.

Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo praised the members of the Class of 2025 in his remarks, noting the strides they have made in their four years at MHS and their overall excellence in academics, extracurricular achievements and athletics. The MHS principal invoked this year’s school theme: “The Class of 2025 certainly ‘Made it Happen’ and we thank all those staff, family and so many others who helped them along the way,” Mastrangelo said.

Mastrangelo noted that over 50 percent of the graduating class of 2025 had achieved a grade point average (GPA) for their high school careers of over 3.0 (Honor Roll, all “Bs”) and of those, some 128 of the 436 graduates showed a GPA of 4.0 (all “As”) or higher. This is reflected in the fact that over 80 percent of the members of the Class of 2025 are headed to either four-year or two-year colleges or universities after high school, or a certificate-granting program, with a number of others headed for the trades or military. Of those taking the higher education route, five MHS Class of 2025 graduates are heading to prestigious Ivy League destinations, such as Brown and Cornell, with others off to MIT, Northeastern, Tufts and UC Berkeley, among others.

Earlier in the ceremony, Malden Mayor and School Committee Chairperson Gary Christenson addressed graduates at his 14th MHS Commencement in the city’s top elected post, eventually making it a festive greeting, first appearing in his traditional navy blue graduation gown, before congratulating the Class of 2024. The Mayor, who is well-known for his inventive “snow day” declarations, turned the tables when he doffed the grad gown for a “snowman” jacket at Macdonald Stadium with the Class of 2025, noting there were no “snow days” this year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel also congratulated the graduating seniors and noted the energy and excitement of the day, addressing the audience at his very first Commencement Exercises since first assuming the reins of the district just before the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. “It is my pleasure to have gotten to meet so many of you this school year and congratulations to each and every one of you for what you have accomplished.”

Over 100 seniors received just over $130,000 in scholarships at the recent Senior Awards Night. On Sunday, the Malden High School Scholarship Corporation — in existence since 1909 — awarded individual $5,000 scholarships to a total of 30 recipients, another new high mark, as announced by Trustee Greg Lucey.

The three top-ranked Malden High School students and the Class of 2025 Senior Class President also addressed their classmates and the audience.

The #1-ranked student was Valedictorian Susila Wong, whose GPA of 4.97 is one of the highest ever recorded in school history. She is headed to Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall, the second top-ranked MHS student in as many years ticketed for the one of the best institutions of higher learning in the world. Hailey Tran, the #2-ranked student, with a 4.92 GPA, addressed the crowd as the Salutatorian, and #3-ranked Kathleen Yick (4.88 GPA) delivered the Class Orator address. Both of these students will matriculate at Brandeis University in the fall.

Malden High Class of 2025 President Christina Anasthal also delivered remarks on Graduation Day. She was joined on the field in a row of honor with fellow Student Council officers Vice President Saniah Charles, Secretary Sarah Pham, Treasurer Kevin Lin, Media Coordinators Jaslie Fang and Jessica Li, Volunteer Coordinator Julianna Lin and Junior Variety Coordinators Bertha Jean Louis and Jennifer Slawson.

Class of 2025 Advisors seeing off their charges at graduation after four years of mentoring were MHS educators Robert Grinnell and Courtney Braz.

Those attending Sunday’s Commencement were also treated to some special performances provided by the MHS Choral Arts Society, under the direction of Todd Cole, and the MHS Band, directed by Lauren Foley. Traditionally, the members of the Class of 2025 who were part of those performing groups left their graduation rows briefly to participate in the vocal or instrumental displays, some in both.

Following the speeches, the 436 members of the Class of 2024 received their diplomas, and at the conclusion the traditional “cap toss” followed. The new graduates’ family and friends then flooded onto the Macdonald Stadium field to offer their congratulations to the strains of what now has become the official theme song of Malden High Graduation Day, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”