Class of 2025 Graduates from Pacific Palisades High School, Despite Losing Their Campus in the January 7th Fire

The Palisades Charter High School Class of 2025 held its graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Hollywood Bowl, a departure from the school's campus due to damage from the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025, which destroyed parts of the campus, including the football stadium. The ceremony celebrated the resilience of the graduating class amidst significant adversity.

Speakers at the Graduation

The ceremony featured notable speakers, reflecting the school's strong community ties and the significance of the event:

Billy Crystal: The award-winning actor, comedian, and humanitarian, a Palisades resident, delivered an inspirational speech. His address focused on the graduates' perseverance through the fire's aftermath, emphasizing hope and community strength.

Steve Kerr: The Golden State Warriors coach and Palisades Charter High School alumnus spoke about the adversity faced by the Class of 2025, particularly the January fire that displaced their final semester. His speech highlighted themes of resilience and pride in the graduates' achievements.

Governor Gavin Newsom: Provided a message (likely pre-recorded or written) emphasizing perseverance, acknowledging the unique challenges the graduates faced due to the fire.

Jennifer Coolidge: The actress contributed a message, adding a celebratory tone to the ceremony and congratulating the graduates on their accomplishments.

Additional Details

Venue and Context: The Hollywood Bowl was chosen as the venue due to the fire damage to the school's facilities, making the event bittersweet but memorable. The ceremony was livestreamed for friends and family, with links provided via the school's website (palihigh.org).

Themes and Sentiment: Perseverance was a central theme, with speakers and media coverage noting the graduates' ability to overcome challenges, including remote learning and campus disruptions post-fire. The event was described as both celebratory and reflective, with the Hollywood Bowl setting adding a unique, iconic backdrop.

Parents highlighted the emotional weight of the ceremony, with pride in the graduates' resilience and the star-studded speaker lineup.