Centralia High School has released the names of its top 10 academic seniors for the class of 2025.
Centralia High School ranks its graduating seniors using the top 10 index criteria, which includes overall grade point average (GPA), assessment scores, challenging course work and participation in activities.
Centralia High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at Tiger Stadium, located at 813 Eshom Road in Centralia.
• Tess Eileen McMurry: The daughter of Alex and Theresa McMurry, Tess has earned a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and is ranked first in her class. Tess has taken advanced math all four years of high school, advanced social studies during her sophomore and junior years, and advanced English during her freshman and sophomore years. Tess has also been a full-time Running Start student at Centralia College, which means she will graduate with an associate’s degree this spring. While at Centralia High School, Tess has played varsity golf for four years, which includes the team winning the academic state championship last year. She has also been in the school pep band for four years and the jazz band for three. Tess believes some of her best memories from high school have been made out in the pouring rain with her team or at 6:40 in the morning with the rest of the rhythm section of the band. Next year, Tess is planning on attending Central Washington University and majoring in aviation. From there, her ultimate goal is to become a pilot for an international airline.
• Alan Silvestre Gonzalez: The son of Ruben Silvestre and Rosalina Gonzalez, Alan has a cumulative GPA of 3.691 and is ranked second in the class of 2025 for Centralia High School. He has taken advanced classes that include honors English 9, honors English 10, advanced geometry, advanced algebra 2, pre-calculus, calculus, AP world history and American experience. In addition, Alan has participated in different activities throughout high school, including band from freshman to senior year, National Honor Society from freshman to senior year, a camp counselor for Camp Cispus from sophomore to senior year, and is also a part of the student body at Centralia College through the Running Start program his senior year. Next year, Alan will attend the University of Washington in Seattle where he intends to major in biology. With that major, Alan’s goal is to become a dentist.
• Natalia Marquette Hedgers: The daughter of Travis and Kate Hedgers, Natalia has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.95 and is ranked third in her class. Throughout high school, Natalia has participated in the Running Start program full-time and will be graduating high school with an associate’s degree in addition to her high school diploma. Furthermore, she has been involved in the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Centralia College), volleyball, track and field, FFA and FCCLA. After high school, Natalia will attend the University of Washington in pursuit of a doctorate in medical sciences. She wants to eventually become an infectious disease research specialist to assist in creating a happier, healthier world for all.
• Sadie Alisabeth Mecham: The daughter of Matthew and Wendy Mecham, Sadie has a 3.99 GPA, ranked fourth in her class, and is the Centralia High School salutatorian for 2025. In addition, she is a Running Start student who will be graduating with her associate’s degree from Centralia College with a 4.0 GPA. She anticipates receiving honors in math, science and history. In addition to her rigorous course load, she has participated in National Honor Society, girls’ tennis and completed over 150 hours of community service. She has also competed in competitive gymnastics for the last 11 years and is a two-time state and two-time regional champion. As a level 10 gymnast, she qualified to compete on the all-star team at the national championships. Sadie is undecided on which university to attend next year. She has received acceptance from several universities and awaits a final response before determining where she will attend next year. She hopes to use her strong math skills to study something related to math or engineering.
• Maya Isabelle Lackie: The daughter of Seth and Susanne Lackie, Maya has called Centralia her home since birth, and has attended Centralia schools since kindergarten. Throughout her high school experience, she has managed to achieve a GPA of 3.94, ranking her fifth in the 2025 graduating class. Maya took honors English freshman and sophomore years, as well as AP world history, advanced geometry and advanced algebra 2. Maya was also part of FCCLA and the National Honor Society. She also participated in soccer for two years and girls’ tennis for four. Maya served as captain of the tennis team her junior year, and was a manager for the boys’ tennis team the past two years. Maya is planning on attending Saint Martin’s University next year to pursue a career in nursing. After earning certification as a registered nurse, she plans to work for a few years and then go back to school to become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
• Audrey Jayne Hinkley: The daughter of Jeremiah Hinkley and Jayne Hinkley, Audrey’s cumulative GPA is a 3.76, and her class rank is sixth. Audrey has taken a rigorous course load, which includes being enrolled as a full-time Running Start student at Centralia College, and will graduate this June with an associate’s degree. While taking classes at Centralia College, Audrey took both of her precalculus and calculus classes at Centralia High School for college credit through Central Washington University. Audrey has also participated in track and field her freshman year, was involved in National Honor Society all four years of high school while serving as chapter vice president junior year, was involved in the FCCLA club her freshman and sophomore years, and participated in FFA her freshman year. While being involved in all of the aforementioned studies and clubs, Audrey has been working the same job since her sophomore year of high school. Audrey plans to attend Montana State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, then move on to obtain a master’s degree in conservation biology. Her ultimate goal for the future is to live in Montana and work with fellow scientists to help make our planet as healthy and protected as it can possibly be.
• Nickolas John Thomas Kaech: The son of John and Stacy Kaech, Nickolas has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.650 and is ranked seventh in his class. He has taken advanced classes that include honors English 9 and 10, AP world history, American experience, advanced geometry, advanced algebra, precalculus and calculus. Nickolas has also been involved in the Centralia High School Band all four years. Next year, Nickolas will be attending Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, where he intends to major in history to become a history teacher in our local area.
• Kezra Morgan Smith: Kezra, whose parents are Chantal and Sylvan Smith, ranks eighth in the class with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 at Centralia High School. She has taken advanced classes that include two years of honors English, where she met wonderful teachers and got to know some great people. Kezra participated in several activities, including one year of soccer, two years of golf, and all four years in the school band playing the trumpet. Kezra intends to go to Centralia College next year, as it is local and close to home. She has already signed up for the program in fall to major in nursing and hopes to receive her RN in the upcoming two years. Overall, the big goal in mind is to eventually transfer colleges to get her bachelor’s in science and nursing. She wants to focus her career on becoming a scrub nurse so she can work in the operating room and be able to watch and participate in exciting surgeries.
• Kellen Rooklidge: The son of Jon and DeAnna Rooklidge, Kellen is graduating from Centralia High School with a GPA of 3.96 and ranks ninth in the class of 2025. While attending Centralia High School, Kellen has taken high-level classes such as honors English, advanced geometry, and advanced algebra II. He has achieved a total of nine varsity letters playing four years of football, basketball and baseball. Kellen is also a member of the National Honor Society and has been involved in the Priority One Club. During his junior and senior years, Kellen attended Centralia College as a Running Start student, completing rigorous courses such as engineering physics, calculus I through III, and chemistry. In addition to graduating from Centralia High School, Kellen will graduate with an associate’s degree from Centralia College. Next fall, Kellen plans to attend George Fox University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He hopes to design aircraft as an aerospace or mechanical engineer one day.
• Camila Garibay: The daughter of Ana Garibay Sierra and Roberto Garibay, Camila has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.81 and is ranked 10th in the class of 2025. During her time as a student at Centralia High School, she enjoyed competing for the girls tennis team all four years and served as a member of the National Honor Society. These activities have given her some of the best memories. Camila feels fortunate to be selected as a Cispus counselor in her senior year. After graduating from Centralia High School, Camila plans to continue her education by attending Centralia College, where she will major in nursing. Her ultimate career goal is to become a nurse anesthetist, but she will first focus on becoming a registered nurse.
