Mr. Esquibel had the honor to give the Lincoln Way Speech at this year’s Graduation Ceremony at the Bluebird Ballroom. Saturday May 24th. 2025.
After an incredible career in education, Mr. Esquibel is retiring, leaving behind a legacy marked by service, dedication, and heart. A proud graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School, he began his journey as a volunteer at his alma mater and went on to teach at Niver Creek Middle School and Alamosa High School, gaining invaluable experience in rural, suburban, and urban settings. His return to Denver Public Schools brought him full circle, spending the last 21 years at Lincoln in various roles—as a teacher, coach, school leader, and district administrator.
Mr. Esquibel’s passion for education, athletics, and community has made a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues. Whether coaching on the field, leading in the front office, or mentoring future leaders, he has poured his heart into every step of the journey. From the challenging days of COVID to unforgettable moments like President Obama's visit to Lincoln, back-to-back basketball state championships, and students graduating with two years of college credit. His career has been filled with both triumphs and treasured memories.
Thank you, Mr. Esquibel, for your unwavering commitment and deep love for the Lincoln community. You’ve made a difference that will be felt for generations to come. Enjoy a well-earned retirement—you will be deeply missed but never forgotten!
Mr. Esquibel’s 2025 Lincoln Graduation Speech
Good morning, everyone—families, friends, faculty, and of course, the amazing Class of 2025.
Let me be honest with you—this is a tough moment for me. Not just because I’m retiring, and not just because I know some of you are secretly timing how long this speech goes… but because it’s hard to put into words what Lincoln truly means to me.
Now, I’ve spent half of my life at Abraham Lincoln High School. I graduated from here, came back as a teacher, coached football and basketball, and eventually became principal, twice! And I even supervised our school for 5 years. Some say I just couldn’t get enough of this place. Others say I couldn’t figure out how to leave. Either way, this school has been home to me for a long time.
But today isn’t about me. It’s about you—the Class of 2025! —And this moment in time that belongs to you. You’ve worked hard to get here, and I am so incredibly proud of the people you’ve become, since you were little baby 9th graders.
Now, I’d be seriously out of line if I didn’t pause to recognize the folks who’ve helped carry you to this day.
To the families—parents, grandparents, guardians, siblings—thank you. Thank you for your sacrifices, your late-night pep talks, your early morning drop-offs, and the unconditional love that brought these students across this stage.
To our faculty, staff and administration—you are the unsung heroes of this school. You showed up every day with heart, patience, and often caffeine. You’ve taught more than just academics—you’ve taught character, resilience, and probably how to reset a Chromebook at least 600 times.
And this year is extra special. We are celebrating 65 years of Abraham Lincoln High School. That’s six and a half decades of laughter in the hallways, lifelong friendships, and lessons learned both in and out of the classroom. We have had students win city and state championships, some have played professionally in the NBA, some have become lawyers, doctors, teachers, business owners, community organizers, police officers, engineers, and many other successful careers. Over the years, at Lincoln we had the honor of hosting the mayor, governor, US Senator and even President Barack Obama came and gave a speech to over 5,000 people. We are a school of champions……Over the years, more than 25,000 students have graduated from Lincoln—students from every background, every language, every walk of life. And that is what continues to make Lincoln... Lincoln.
This class is no different. You come from all corners of the world—and from right down the street. You’ve brought your cultures, your languages, your music, your food and most importantly, your spirit. And I want you to carry that spirit with you always:
In these uncertain times, one thing you’ve learned is how to stand up—not just for others, but for yourselves. Self-advocacy means knowing your needs, your goals, and your worth, even when the world feels unsure. As you leave high school behind, let’s take that strength with us. Because no matter what lies ahead, you have the power to speak up, stay true to yourselves, and shape the future you want to see. You, yes each of you are a champion.
Be proud of where you come from. Whether your journey started in another country or right here in our neighborhood, it’s a part of your strength. Don’t leave it behind—carry it forward.
And speaking of forward, there’s a quote from Pope Francis I want to leave you with. He said:
“Let us move forward, like water flowing, and not remain stagnant.”
Think about that. Water doesn’t stop when the path gets hard. It finds a way forward—around, over, or straight through, when moving it stays fresh. Life will throw challenges your way. But don’t stand still. Move with courage, ….don’t be a puddle, be an ever flowing river and flow with joy!
So Class of 2025: Keep growing. Keep believing. Keep moving.
It has been the honor of my life to be a student, a coach, a teacher, a Dean, an Assistant Principal and Principal at THE Abraham Lincoln High School—and forever, your fellow Lincoln Lancer.
Congratulations. We are so proud of you.
And do not forget…..Once a Lancer Always a Lancer!....... (Lancer Clap follows)
Thank you.
###