WHEELING — Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to honor the achievements of the graduating class of 2025 for West Virginia Northern Community College during its annual commencement ceremony Thursday night at WesBanco Arena.

This year, 255 students were awarded a total of 274 degrees and certificates.

Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Jaramillo has played a pivotal role in the advancement of clean energy technologies, with leadership experience that includes his time at Tesla, where he helped launch the company’s energy storage program.

Jaramillo told Thursday’s graduates to never lose their sense of curiosity.

“Congratulations to the WVNCC Class of 2025. Your commitment to growth and learning is a personal achievement — and a building block for something much bigger,” commented Jaramillo. “At Form, we’ve learned that real innovation starts with curiosity and a belief that something better is possible. That’s what led us to build our first battery factory in Weirton, and it’s what will carry the Northern Panhandle region forward as we reignite American manufacturing together. I hope you’ll keep asking questions, challenging assumptions, and imagining what’s next — not just for your own future, but for the future of West Virginia.”

Valedictorian Audrey Orecchio praised the class for its resiliency.

“No matter where life takes you, I hope you carry this with you: You showed up,” she said.

“You didn’t give up. You earned this. Every paper you turned in, every test you studied for, and every challenge you faced brought you here, to this celebration of your perseverance.

“So, as we move forward, let’s carry the best parts of this journey with us: The courage we found, and the belief that we are capable of rising to any challenge,” she added.

Orecchio, a senior at Weir High School, earned her associate’s degree with a concentration in psychology while also completing her high school education. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and plans to attend Duquesne University in the fall, majoring in political science and minoring in psychology, ultimately planning to become an attorney.

WVNCC President Daniel Mosser offered words of encouragement and congratulations to the graduates.

“We are incredibly proud of our graduates,” said Mosser. “Their hard work, perseverance, and dedication — especially in the face of challenges — demonstrate the strength and spirit of the Northern community.”