By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
When trying to come up with an expression to sum up her thoughts on her high school experience, Winni Xu didn’t look for a inspirational quote.
Instead, she pulled from her mathematical knowledge: X equals X, which is known to mathematicians as the axiom of equality.
“What once was, will continue to be. From our faith to traits like honesty and loyalty, our fundamental selves and values have persisted, regardless of the twists and turns of life,” said Xu, who was co-valedictorian of the Zeeland West High School class of 2025, during the school’s commencement exercises May 21 at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse.
A total of 327 graduates received their diplomas during the ceremony, and another seven foreign exchange students were also recognized.
Xu, who was involved in such activities at West as robotics, the Student Senate and Model United Nations, challenged her fellow graduates to stay true to their values, even as their surroundings change.
“Remain stalwart to yourself, and resist the overwhelming urge to change at others’ behest, because at the end of the day, X equals X. Who you are doesn’t change just because everything else does,” she said.
Co-valedictorian Jacob DeWitt spoke of the relationships he developed through involvement in such activities as Student Senate and Model UN. He encouraged his fellow graduates to continue to seek out community as they begin the next phase of their lives.
“Remember the power of coming together and all that it will allow you to achieve,” DeWitt said. “Continue to open doors to new relationships. Continue pursuing your ambitious goals and continue to pursue greatness. I have no doubt you will find it.”
A total of 113 West seniors graduated with honors, including 37 who achieved cumulative grade-point averages of 4.0 or higher to receive distinguished honor recognition.
West Principal Travis Spaman said that the graduates have represented themselves, their families and the school with integrity and pride.
“You’ve consistently shown gratitude, enthusiasm and the willingness to make the most of every moment,” Spaman said.
In the ceremony’s keynote address, West varsity girls soccer coach and Creekside Middle School teacher Ben Hondorp painted a word picture of the desert, and how each graduate must enter that desert in order to grow.
“The desert can be a lonely, desolate and sometimes scary place, but it’s also where you begin to discover who you really are and what you’re truly capable of,” Hondorp said.
“Embracing the desert and the experiences it provides can be profoundly liberating. You’ve got to let go to grow.”
Hondorp also encouraged graduates to take care of their mental health, to love themselves, to be thankful, to serve others and to have fun.
“Lean into life’s challenges. Embrace the failures and frustrations in your training space, so that you too can continue to believe that you can do difficult things,” Hondorp said.
“Your desert awaits. Take the next step. Don’t look back.”
Zeeland Record
When trying to come up with an expression to sum up her thoughts on her high school experience, Winni Xu didn’t look for a inspirational quote.
Instead, she pulled from her mathematical knowledge: X equals X, which is known to mathematicians as the axiom of equality.
“What once was, will continue to be. From our faith to traits like honesty and loyalty, our fundamental selves and values have persisted, regardless of the twists and turns of life,” said Xu, who was co-valedictorian of the Zeeland West High School class of 2025, during the school’s commencement exercises May 21 at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse.
A total of 327 graduates received their diplomas during the ceremony, and another seven foreign exchange students were also recognized.
Xu, who was involved in such activities at West as robotics, the Student Senate and Model United Nations, challenged her fellow graduates to stay true to their values, even as their surroundings change.
“Remain stalwart to yourself, and resist the overwhelming urge to change at others’ behest, because at the end of the day, X equals X. Who you are doesn’t change just because everything else does,” she said.
Co-valedictorian Jacob DeWitt spoke of the relationships he developed through involvement in such activities as Student Senate and Model UN. He encouraged his fellow graduates to continue to seek out community as they begin the next phase of their lives.
“Remember the power of coming together and all that it will allow you to achieve,” DeWitt said. “Continue to open doors to new relationships. Continue pursuing your ambitious goals and continue to pursue greatness. I have no doubt you will find it.”
A total of 113 West seniors graduated with honors, including 37 who achieved cumulative grade-point averages of 4.0 or higher to receive distinguished honor recognition.
West Principal Travis Spaman said that the graduates have represented themselves, their families and the school with integrity and pride.
“You’ve consistently shown gratitude, enthusiasm and the willingness to make the most of every moment,” Spaman said.
In the ceremony’s keynote address, West varsity girls soccer coach and Creekside Middle School teacher Ben Hondorp painted a word picture of the desert, and how each graduate must enter that desert in order to grow.
“The desert can be a lonely, desolate and sometimes scary place, but it’s also where you begin to discover who you really are and what you’re truly capable of,” Hondorp said.
“Embracing the desert and the experiences it provides can be profoundly liberating. You’ve got to let go to grow.”
Hondorp also encouraged graduates to take care of their mental health, to love themselves, to be thankful, to serve others and to have fun.
“Lean into life’s challenges. Embrace the failures and frustrations in your training space, so that you too can continue to believe that you can do difficult things,” Hondorp said.
“Your desert awaits. Take the next step. Don’t look back.”
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