Congratulations Class of 2025!

On Friday, May 30, 2025, ICA Cristo Rey celebrated its 131st Graduation Commencement Ceremony at St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco campus. Teachers, staff, family, friends, partners, and donors gathered to honor the 62 graduates as they concluded one chapter of their lives and prepare to begin a new one. The church overflowed with proud families, ready to adorn their graduates with intricate leis, lush bouquets, cultural stoles, and more. It was a vibrant and joyous celebration that will be cherished for years to come.

This year, two valedictorians were honored: Gabriela Clemente Cerritos and Judy Tang. These two Spartans exemplified the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Service and consistently showcased academic excellence throughout high school. They also excelled in ICA's Corporate Work Study program, serving as Student Associates at the Archdiocese of San Francisco and UCSF Health in their senior years, respectively. Their dedication and accomplishments set a high standard for future graduates. Both graduates will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall.

Our Student Graduation Speaker, Makayla Marin-Valencia, inspired the audience with her words and her example. As captain of our varsity soccer team and this year’s All-City Most Valuable Player, Makayla has led with heart, hustle, and humility. This school year, through the Corporate Work Study program, Makayla also demonstrated her leadership skills as a Student Associate at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. This fall, she’ll attend the University of the Pacific, where she’ll play Division I soccer and study Business Analytics and Finance.

We were also honored to welcome Ms. Suzanne McCormick, Senior Director of Global Fragrance at SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands and ICA board member, who delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of Ms. Renata Ferraiolo, CEO of SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands. Although Ms. Ferraiolo could not attend due to illness, her words offered encouragement and wisdom to the Class of 2025.

The Class of 2025 achieved a remarkable milestone: 100% of graduates were accepted to college, with 97% being first-generation college students. Collectively, they earned admission to over 136 colleges and universities nationwide, including Cornell University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, Loyola University Chicago, and more. This outstanding achievement reflects not only the hard work and determination of our graduates but also the unwavering support of the entire ICA Cristo Rey community—our families, administration, teachers, staff, corporate partners, donors, alumnae, and friends. By working together in love and mission, we ensure that the Class of 2025 steps confidently into a future filled with promise.