June 10, 2025

Palisades Charter High School Seniors Celebrate Resilience at Graduation

News Summary

Seniors from Palisades Charter High School will graduate at the Hollywood Bowl, commemorating their achievements amid challenges posed by the Palisades Fire. Despite the venue change, students express gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate together. The ceremony will feature motivational speeches from notable figures, including a message from the governor and insights from a comedian who faced similar hardships. Graduating seniors will reflect on resilience, adaptability, and personal growth as they embark on their next chapters, culminating in a traditional mortarboard toss to celebrate their success.

Los Angeles – Palisades Charter High School seniors are set to graduate at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., five months after their campus was severely damaged by the Palisades Fire. This ceremony will honor the Class of 2025 as students and their families come together in recognition of their hard work and achievements during a challenging school year.

In early April, students resumed classes at a vacant Santa Monica department store after initially transitioning to online learning due to the fire, which broke out on January 7. This natural disaster led to the loss of 12 lives and significantly impacted thousands of structures, including Palisades Charter High School, Marquez Elementary School, and Palisades Elementary School.

Despite the hardships, seniors have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, a venue recently known for hosting a benefit concert aimed at supporting first responders and those affected by the fires. Although the Hollywood Bowl will serve as the graduation site, the change has brought mixed feelings among students who have fond memories associated with their traditional venue, the Stadium by the Sea.

For many graduates, the experience of graduating at the Hollywood Bowl symbolizes resilience and adaptability. Comments from students indicate that while it feels “bittersweet” to not close their high school chapter on the familiar field, they recognize the unique circumstances that led to this moment.

The graduation ceremony is expected to include motivational speeches emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Notable figures, including Golden State Warriors coach and Palisades alumnus Steve Kerr, will address the graduates, encouraging them to acknowledge their struggles and victories this year. Additionally, a videotaped message from California Governor Gavin Newsom will remind students to envision their futures and seize opportunities ahead.

Acting as a source of inspiration, comedian Billy Crystal, who personally experienced losses associated with the fire, will share insights on the life lessons that come from dealing with hardship. Valedictorian Annalisa Hurd is anticipated to deliver reflections on the unpredictability of life and the necessity of being open to new paths as graduates step into their next chapters.

Principal Pamela Magee has expressed gratitude towards the Hollywood Bowl for accommodating the graduation ceremony at a reduced rate and acknowledged the collective effort it took to organize this significant event. The assistant coach of the junior varsity football team at Pali High highlighted the event as a display of the school’s enduring community spirit amid adversity.

The ceremony will also feature a motivational send-off from actress Jennifer Coolidge, who will emphasize personal growth derived from facing challenges head-on. Traditional graduation activities, including the calling of names and various musical performances, are also part of the scheduled program, allowing graduates to celebrate their accomplishments in a familiar yet altered environment.

As attendees prepare for the ceremony, they have been advised to take photographs promptly due to the need for quick venue preparations for a concert slated to follow the graduation. The joyful event is expected to conclude with graduates throwing their mortarboards into the air as a celebration of their hard-earned achievements amidst challenging circumstances.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD

The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.

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