Eagle Point High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

As graduation day approaches, Eagle Point High School proudly honors two exceptional students who have earned top academic distinctions: Valedictorian Jaxon Angiolet and Salutatorian Aidan Whitson. Their journey to these honors represents not only academic excellence but also personal growth, community involvement, and a shared spirit of perseverance.

Neither Jaxon nor Aidan knew exactly when the honors would be announced. It was during the final senior meeting in the cafeteria that Principal Marinucci casually revealed the news. Jaxon, who had closely monitored his academic standing on StudentVUE throughout high school, described the moment as “relieving—but still a little surreal.” Aidan, equally invested in tracking his grades, admitted he had long hoped for a top position, saying, “I always kept an eye on it, especially in senior year. That’s when I realized, ‘I could actually do this.’”

Both students recalled the quiet but steady competition among the top five students in their class. “We all knew where we stood,” Jaxon explained. “It was friendly, but it pushed us to keep doing better.” Aidan agreed, adding that the academic rivalry helped them bond over shared goals and mutual respect. “It made school more exciting, knowing you were surrounded by others who were also motivated.”

Jaxon, who had his sights set on the valedictorian title as early as junior year, strategically selected higher-weighted classes to boost his GPA. His passion for math and strategic thinking has led him to Linfield University, where he plans to major in mathematics with a focus on financial planning or analytics. “Math has always been something I enjoy—and let’s be honest, it sounds impressive on a résumé,” he joked.

Aidan’s journey was more unexpected. “Freshman year, I couldn’t even tell you what a salutatorian was,” he laughed. However, through consistent effort and self-discovery, he earned his place. Aidan is already dual-enrolled at Rogue Community College, pursuing an associate’s degree in cybersecurity. He plans to continue his studies at a four-year university, possibly the Oregon Institute of Technology or Western Governors University, with a focus on computer science. “I want to stay close to home,” Aidan shared. “This community has given me a lot, and I want to give back.”

When asked what advice they’d offer younger students, both Jaxon and Aidan emphasized the importance of balance and authenticity.

“If you want to do something—anything—you can,” Jaxon said. “Don’t limit yourself. The school will support you if you ask. There’s always room to chase your interests.”

Aidan added, “Go for it, but make sure you still enjoy your high school experience. If you stop enjoying it, reevaluate. Hard work should be challenging, but never soul-crushing.”

Looking ahead, with their speeches nearly finalized and their futures mapped out, both students are ready for what comes next—but not before reflecting one last time on the journey that brought them here.

“I tried to write something serious at first,” Jaxon said of his valedictory speech. “But then I scrapped it. I wanted to make people laugh and thank those who got me here. It’s not just about me.”

Aidan kept his speech heartfelt and simple. “I wrote from the heart. No research, no YouTube speeches—just what I wanted to say.”

Their words—and their stories—will soon echo through the Eagle Point High School stadium at graduation.

Want to hear more from our Valedictorian and Salutatorian? Join us for graduation on June 6 at Eagle Point High School. Let’s celebrate the Class of 2025 and the bright futures ahead!