San Angelo ISD Celebrates PAYS Fall Graduating Class of 2025 

Congratulations to the PAYS Fall Class of 2025! Forty-five students from Central High School and Lake View High School were honored at the PAYS Fall Commencement Ceremony held on December 18, celebrating their resilience and achievements as they take the next step toward success.

As families and friends gathered inside the McNease Convention Center ballroom, a slideshow of each graduate’s “then-and-now” photos played across the large screen, highlighting how far they had come. The room quickly filled with proud supporters, with nearly every one of the ballroom’s 600 seats occupied. When the graduates made their entrance, the atmosphere erupted with applause and cheers as loved ones celebrated the milestone and watched students take their seats.

The ceremony began with the traditional processional of graduates, set to the familiar tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” PAYS Principal Becca Flores welcomed the audience and introduced PAYS graduate Kayden Harris, who led the National and State Pledges, followed by PAYS graduate Mia Castro, who delivered the invocation. 

Ms. Flores then introduced distinguished guests, including School Board President Dr. Taylor Kingman, Vice President Mrs. Ami Mizell-Flint, Board Treasurer Mr. Bill Dendle, Board Trustees Dr. Kyle Mills and Mrs. Pam Duncan, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations/CFO Dr. Merl Brandon, Executive Director of Human Resources Dr. Amy Lemaster, Central High School Principal Jill Ross and Lake View High School Assistant Principal Dennis Padilla.

PAYS graduate Alias Herrera next took the stage to deliver the student speech. He expressed his gratitude to the teachers and staff at PAYS for their patience, guidance, and constant encouragement, acknowledging that their support was essential to students reaching graduation. 

“It is a blessing for us to be walking across this stage into the next chapter of our lives.” Alias said. “As a student of Pays, I had the opportunity to work with many amazing teachers and staff. They helped me and many others get to where we are today … if it wasn't for them, we would not be walking across this stage. So, I'd like to give thanks to them and let them know that they are greatly appreciated.”

Alias also congratulated his classmates for persevering through personal challenges, including balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, and praised their resilience and determination. “This is a major achievement for us all, and I'm glad we all get to experience it,” Alias said. “Take this as a sign that with that same resilience and determination, anything is possible for us … I hope and pray that my fellow graduates and I can experience this life we are blessed with in a good manner from this day forward. I believe that we can all do great things as long as we put our best foot forward and persevere through all the challenges to come.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Moran then addressed the graduates, congratulating them and reframing graduation as a beginning rather than an ending. “You know, they call these ceremonies commencements and I think oftentimes we forget what commencement means,” he said. “It means it's the beginning. This is your starting line. You've made it to the start line.”

Dr. Moran’s message centered on gratitude, resilience, guidance from loved ones, and confidence that those principles will lead the graduates toward a fulfilling and successful life. He shared three key life lessons for success with the graduates: maintaining strong roots, making great choices, and setting clear priorities. 

“There are three things I'd like to share with you that I think are worth taking away,” Dr. Moran said. “...in life, regardless of your lot in life, if you can maintain strong roots, make great choices and establish clear priorities, it's going to make life a lot easier for you and you will be successful.”

Using the metaphor of redwood trees in Sequoia National Park, he emphasized the importance of family and supportive relationships that help individuals withstand life’s challenges. “...we all have tough times in life – there's sicknesses we couldn't have counted on, there's circumstances we couldn't have predicted,” Dr. Moran said. “But when you have a strong family that you can lean back on, you can make it through that storm … as you walk out today, don’t forget about your families. They love you. Even when it’s messy, they love you. Keep those roots strong.”

He also encouraged the graduates to learn from both their own experiences and the mistakes of others, make wise decisions, and focus on doing “the next right thing” each day. “Today, when you walk out of here, just do the next right thing,” Dr. Moran said. “And do that every day – the next right thing – and you will start seeing this multiply in your life, doing the right thing.”

Following Dr. Moran’s remarks, Ms. Flores proudly presented the graduating class to the Board of Trustees. Mrs. Mizell-Flint accepted the graduates on behalf of the Board, after which Mrs. Ross, Mr. Padilla and Mrs. Duncan had the honor of presenting diplomas. 

Ms. Flores then gave a graduation address that honors students who followed nontraditional paths and recognizes their persistence, courage, and personal growth. She emphasized that graduation represents more than a ceremony – it celebrates resilience, adaptability, and the belief that every student deserves an educational path that meets them where they are. 

“Graduates, each of you took a road that wasn't always simple or expected,” Ms. Flores said. “Some of you worked jobs while studying. Some balanced school with family responsibilities. Others rebuilt your confidence after challenges that could have easily pushed you off your course. But you did not give up.” 

Ms. Flores assured the graduates that choosing a different path does not mean lesser value. “PAYS may often be described as a different path, but different doesn't mean less,” she said. “Different means acceptable. Different means bold. Different means adaptable. Different means refusing to be defined by a single story or a single moment in time. The truth is, the skills you've strengthened here, resilience, self-advocacy, patience, and the ability to start again are some of the most powerful tools you can carry into your future.” 

Ms. Flores concluded by encouraging graduates to move forward with confidence, trust in their abilities, and take pride not only in their accomplishments, but in who they have become. “As you leave this evening, remember this – your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be meaningful,” she said. “There is no single timeline for achievement. There is no perfect script for adulthood. Trust me – what matters is that you keep writing your own story with the same determination that brought you here this evening … trust in what you've already proven. You can do hard things. You can adapt, you can grow, and you can create a life you're proud of on your own terms. Congratulations graduates. We are so proud of you. Not just for what you've accomplished, but for who you've become along the way. Now go forward with confidence. The world needs exactly what each of you brings.”

The full livestream recording of the PAYS graduation ceremony is available below and on the SAISD YouTube channel. Please note: Due to unforeseen technical issues during the live broadcast, the video quality throughout this recording is inconsistent, with noticeable stuttering and occasional blurriness. We apologize for any impact this may have on the viewing experience and appreciate your understanding.

San Angelo ISD is incredibly proud of the PAYS Fall Class of 2025 and their outstanding achievements. This milestone marks not only the close of an important chapter but the exciting beginning of their future endeavors. To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.