PASCO, Wash. – A disruption occurred at Pasco High School’s graduation ceremony over the weekend, drawing attention from social media and prompting a response from the school district.
The incident began when a staff member started their speech in Spanish. A student disagreed with this choice, grabbed the microphone, and made a statement, briefly interrupting the ceremony.
After witnessing the event on social media, NonStop Local reached out to Pasco High for a comment. The school district responded, stating that the disruption was “immediately addressed by an administrator on the stage, and again, immediately after the ceremony.”
The district emphasized that it will meet with the student and their family this week to discuss the incident. Additionally, meetings and listening sessions will be held for students, staff and families affected by the disruption.
“We are disappointed and saddened that a Pasco High School student chose to disrupt the graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025, by making a personal statement that does not reflect the values of our school district.”, the district said in a statement.
The district highlighted that all students must sign an agreement to uphold standards of appropriate conduct before participating in graduation ceremonies. They noted that the student’s actions, which involved moving into the personal space of the name readers and speaking over their microphone, were a “clear departure from that agreement.”
The district assured that steps will be taken to prevent future disruptions during events. They concluded by expressing pride in having the largest dual language program in Washington state, promoting bilingualism and biliteracy.
