Congrats to the 2025 grads!
Students, staff, and sponsors gathered in Hopkins this month for a weekend full of celebrations for our new graduates. We ate, sang, played, and prayed together on the beach to honor their hard work and dedication for the past four, six, even eight years. The rainy days could not dampen the mood, as you can see from the faces in these photos from a couple of the weekend’s events. Just look at those smiles from Meera, Trecia, Alexandria, Michelle, and Kelsy!
Join us in congratulating the:
- 28 students who graduated from high school
- 12 students who graduated with their associate’s degree or corresponding trade certification
- 2 students who graduated with their bachelor’s degrees
This June we also welcomed our incoming class at each of the three PathLight centers. After reviewing over 250 applications, our staff has selected 40 new hardworking and talented students eager to continue their educational journey. One of our graduating students, Michelle (pictured below with our Sponsorship Director, Erica) welcomed students from Belize City into the PathLight family at their induction ceremony. Below are some excerpts from her speech: we couldn’t have said it any better ourselves.
“Being a part of the PathLight family for the past four years has truly been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I still remember the first day I joined the program. I was nervous, unsure, and filled with questions. I didn’t know what to expect or how I would manage. But PathLight met me right where I was, with open arms, open hearts, and a fierce belief in my potential.
Three times a week, I walked into the PathLight office, not just to get help with assignments or print school materials, but to connect, laugh, and grow alongside my fellow PathLight scholars. It became my safe space, my second home, where I wasn’t just another student; I was seen, heard, and deeply valued.
One of the most unforgettable moments of this journey? Seeing myself walk across that stage to receive my high school diploma. That single moment? It was EVERYTHING. It reminded me of how far I’ve come, what I’ve overcome, and that every sleepless night, every challenge, every doubt, it was worth it. That victory wasn’t just mine; it belonged to everyone who believed in me, especially my PathLight family.
This program didn’t just help me succeed in school; it helped shape who I am. I’ve become more confident, more responsible, and more focused on my dreams. I’ve learned to believe in myself, even when things feel impossible. And I’ve learned something powerful: I am never alone, even in my darkest hour.
I am beyond proud to be a PathLight student, and I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life.”
