27 Jun Graduation 2025: Who’d You Choose?
At SET High, a tuition-free 9th-12th grade high school in San Diego, we celebrate those who worked hard and are ready for their next adventures. How? By hand selecting who graduates them, of course.
At graduation, our seniors personally choose a SET teacher or staff member to “graduate” them as they cross the stage. We asked a handful of seniors who they chose this year and why. Here are a few of the responses:
Mahaila Bouman: Ms. Farias, Spanish Teacher
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Ms. Farias Spanish professor and ASB advisor. I chose Ms. Farias because I really enjoyed her classes and I really love how compassionate and loving she is.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Mr. Ashe– science teacher. Ms. Lennon– English teacher. They both care so much about their classes and their students. They make classes interesting and fun and I wish I had more time with everyone at SET.”
Nadia Reyes: Ms. Cutright, Math
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Ms. Cutright, my Algebra 2 teacher. She’s SO RELATABLE, FUNNY, SARCASTIC AND DOWN TO EARTH I LOVE HER!”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Ms. Heath and Ms. Hines for helping me through my treatment days, and Mr. Apaletegui.”
Althea Chialtas: Ms. Lennon, English Teacher
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Ms. Lennon, English teacher for 11th and 12th grade English. I chose her because she played a huge role in my short time at this school; I have only been here since my junior year, but within such a small time, she managed to have a bigger impact on me than I could have ever expected. For one, she trusted me to paint an entire hallway mural, trusting me to make the design, execute it, and had faith in my skills. She also supported me when I needed it, as well as supporting others, and I felt she really did care for me.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Ms. Geis has had a huge impact on the school. She brings motivation, positivity, encouragement, and love to the community. She is a phenomenal coach and mentor, and I genuinely can’t imagine SET without her. I look up to her, and she always knows how to handle serious and important situations with the utmost sincerity, as well as patience.”
Gigi Mantovani: Mr. Apalategui, English Teacher
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Mr. Apalategui – English 9 & 10. I chose Mr. Apalategui because he has been a good teacher and friend throughout my years at SET and I really appreciate all the memories that were given by him.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Ms. Geis has had a big impact on my life and my years at SET because she was always there to chat and help me resolve issues I had with friends or just things in general and helped me pave my path at SET.”
Azie Bethard: Ms. Jokanovic, Government & Economics Teacher
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Ms Jokanovic is graduating me (but we all call her Ms J) she teaches Gov/Econ and world history. I chose Ms J because she’s a great teacher and always open for conversation. She makes boring topics interesting, her classes have projects that I’m always excited to do and present, and she brings a very real and engaging feel to world history especially that you don’t always see. She brings in her own firsthand experiences when talking about the topics she teaches and makes them feel far more real and far more powerful. Even now that I don’t have a class with her I still go by her classroom to talk about modern events and have an engaging discussion.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Mr. Apalategui, the 9th + 10th English teacher. When I first joined SET in my sophomore year I wasn’t in the best state of mind, I had terrible anxiety that would send me into panic attacks almost daily at school in my first year here. His English class was one of the first classes I had, and while most days I’d rather have just stayed in bed, his English classes were engaging and interesting, and he was very funny and entertaining too. I ended up going to school only so I wouldn’t miss his and Ms J’s classes my first year. I love running into him in the hallways and going into his class in between periods if I have time so I can talk about whatever weird story or fun song I’d found recently that I recommended to him.”
Gianna Beaumont: Ms. Geis, Assistant Principal
Who did you choose to graduate you?
“Ms. Geis (assistant principal and San Diego County Outstanding Teacher of the Year) will be graduating me. I chose Ms. Geis to graduate me because she has been there for me since the beginning. All four years of my high school career Ms. Geis has been by my side, has listened to me, and has been the person I feel I can go to when I am having a negative or positive situation happening in my life. She has been with me through the ups and downs and I feel she is someone that I look up to and respect.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Mr. Apalategui has been a strong SET influence because he has encouraged me to pursue my dreams and push myself past my limits. He has brought my inner nerd out with his Star Wars and Graphic Novels classes. Mr. Apalategui helps students be themselves by being his wonderful self, which is something I feel is extremely important during high school.”
Juniper Davidson: Ms. Lennon, English Teacher
Who and why did you choose to graduate you?
“Ava Lennon, English teacher. I chose Miss Lennon to graduate me because I feel that she knows me best. She makes me feel truly cared about and seen, and I am forever grateful to have her in my life. It was a no brainer, I love Miss Lennon.”
Who else has been a strong SET influence and why?
“Ms Geis and Miss J. Ms Geis has been a humongous help to me, and helped me work through a lot. I know I can always count on her to tell me what I need to hear, and to be there for me. Miss J made a huge impact on me over the summer when she helped write a letter of recommendation for my nursing school. She asked for some details about myself and things I have overcome, and when I wrote them down for her, she met them with love, understanding, compassion, and kindness. I felt truly cared for by her, which I will forever be grateful for.”
We wish these seniors and everyone in the class of 2025 well! If you know anyone looking for a high school that engages you creatively and academically while encouraging you to design your own learning journey? Learn leadership, kindness, and judiciousness while fueling passion and purpose? Our twice-awarded California Distinguished School is enrolling now.We’d love to meet them!
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students at our twice-awarded California Distinguished School build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at www.sethigh.org.