HOUGHTON — Jonathan M. Habecker is the valedictorian of the Houghton Academy Class of 2025, while Gavin Martino and Caleb Yi are co-salutatorians.

Habecker is the son of Kurtis and Laura Habecker. With an overall GPA of 97.88, he has taken honors-level courses in physics, chemistry and biology and is graduating with 24 credits from Houghton and Oklahoma Baptist universities.

He has been a member of the soccer team for four years, winning Most Improved Player in his sophomore and junior years, serving as team captain in his senior year and playing in the Senior All-Star Game. Habecker has been heavily involved with Tech Crew, Ski Club and National Honor Society. He has also been a class representative on Student Council for three years and was elected Student Council president in his senior year.

In the fall, he will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he received a $43,000 per year tuition exchange scholarship to pursue an engineering degree.

Graduating with an impressive unweighted GPA of 94.80, Martino has demonstrated strong academic performance throughout his time at the academy. He has completed rigorous coursework, including honors biology, chemistry and physics and he earned seven college credits through Houghton University.

A dedicated student-athlete, Martino has been a member of the varsity soccer team for the past three years, serving as team captain during his senior year and earning a spot in the Senior All-Star Game. He also played four years on the varsity basketball team, being honored with the Most Improved Player award and leading the team in rebounds his senior year with an outstanding total of 165. Beyond athletics, Gavin has actively contributed to campus life as a member of the National Honor Society and the Ski Club.

Martino will attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he plans to pursue a degree in nursing. He aspires to become a nurse practitioner by continuing his studies through either a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. He has been awarded a substantial tuition benefit of $47,146 through the Tuition Exchange program.

Yi, the son of Jinwei Yi and Li Din, is a boarding student from China who joined the academy in 11th grade. He has distinguished himself academically with an unweighted GPA of 92.92. He has completed three college-level courses at Houghton University and has served as a teacher assistant for geometry, yearbook and advanced technology classes.

An active and well-rounded student, Yi is a member of the Worship Team and the National Honor Society. His extracurricular involvement includes the Carpentry, Math, Recorder, Culture, Gaming and Fitness clubs as well as the Spiritual Formation Team. He serves as Vice President of the Frisbee Club and is president of the Technology Team.

A talented photographer, Yi played a lead role in producing the academy’s yearbook over the past two years.

He plans to attend Foothill College of Los Altos, California this fall, where he intends to major in computer science.

Houghton Academy hosted its 137th commencement on Saturday, with 21 graduates from seven countries and three continents honored.

Head of School Dr. Toby A. Travis opened the ceremony by acknowledging the vital roles of faculty, staff, volunteers, and board members, and welcoming families whose support made the graduates’ journey possible.

“You are the reason the Academy was founded; your preparation has been the primary objective of our plans and prayers,” he said.

The ceremony featured addresses from Martino, Yi and Habecker, who each reflected on their personal growth and the unique community spirit at the academy.

An emotional highlight of the program was the traditional Rose Ceremony, where graduates honored mentors and loved ones by presenting them with roses, accompanied by a musical slideshow chronicling their time at the Academy.

The ceremony also included academic and character-based awards, including the Isaiah 61:3 Award, the Academy’s highest honor, presented to Ming Sum (Summer) Lee for exemplifying the Academy’s mission and values of living authentically, learning deeply, loving boldly and leading globally.

Nicholas B. Merrill Memorial Scholarship went to Abigail Reitnour for excellence in academics, athletics and Christian faith.