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On June 5, TIDE Academy in Menlo Park celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025 in an evening ceremony inside Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College in Los Altos. The senior class of 64 students received high school diplomas as they crossed the stage.
This year marks the third class to graduate from TIDE Academy since the school’s inception in 2019.
The ceremony featured speeches by graduating seniors Theodore Hipple, Ella Chamness, Madelis Pacas Retana, Kingsley Sarkissian and Brea Bremer.
“These last four years have been proof enough that we are capable of being changemakers,” said Hipple. “We made change and it was never about the problems, it was always about the opportunity to lead a solution.”
Chamness followed with a speech about the unique environment of TIDE Academy’s small classrooms which allowed students to build connections and community. That community served as a support system that helped students carry “each other every step of the way.”
In a Spanish speech titled, “De sueño a realidad,” Pacas Retana shared the story of her hardworking parents who immigrated to the United States, making sacrifices to allow her and her siblings to achieve their dreams. To her classmates and teachers, Pacas Retana expressed her appreciation for the welcoming community that held out open arms when she transferred into the school during her sophomore year.
The strength of TIDE’s community remained a theme throughout all student speeches. Sarkissian’s speech noted that although the school may lack typical school events like rallies and football games, “the thing that TIDE does not lack is personality.”
Silly string was in evidence at the ceremonies. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi 
Graduation was an opportunity for a selfie. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
Families were all smiles. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
TIDE Academy families share hugs. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
Students dance to the live music. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi.
“The personality of the Class of 2025 is entirely wrapped up in the close knit community that we have fostered,” Sarkissian said.
Bremer spoke to the crowd commending her classmates for their bravery in joining a new school and creating a new community.
“Each person here was a ripple, influencing the next, passing along energy, ideas and enthusiasm,” she said. “Creating a culture requires more than boldness and influence. It requires community.”
Principal Simone Kennel reflected on her own journey from her middle school dream of becoming a flight attendant, her high school-era idea to become a news reporter and her path to becoming an educator. It wasn’t until later in her life that she discovered she was driven by her purpose to inspire students by teaching what she loved — writing.
From this story, she left her students with a quote: “Your paths may change but your purpose is what will drive you.”
Before students made their way up the stage to receive handshakes and diplomas, the school played its annual senior memory video. The screen behind the podium showed clips of key moments for the Class of 2025 highlighting various school events.
As the ceremony came to an end, a mariachi band played a cheerful tune as students and families rejoiced while giving hugs, taking photos and soaking in the final moments of their high school careers.
Check out this year’s list of TIDE Academy graduates and read our article about the graduation ceremony.
For all of our graduation coverage, go to our central graduation page.
