Rossville High School celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 during its graduation ceremony, held on Sunday, June 1, in the school’s gymnasium. Sixty-two of the 63 seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas in front of proud family members, faculty, and friends.
Principal Michael Hammons opened the ceremony by thanking those who supported the graduating class and said, “Today, we gather not just to celebrate a milestone, but to honor a journey-a journey filled with determination, growth, resilience, and achievement.”
Rossville’s vocal ensemble Class Act, directed by Mr. Buck, followed with a moving performance of “Fly Away Home,” setting a heartfelt tone for the afternoon.
Phoebe Terry then delivered the invocation, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude as the graduates prepared to mark one of life’s major milestones.
Valedictorian Roman St. Myer addressed the crowd with humor, sincerity, and deep appreciation for his family, classmates, and the Rossville staff. “Most of the people who could make it here helped someone on stage overcome adversity and become who they are today,” he said. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his large family, his teachers, and especially his parents for raising seven children with unwavering support. He concluded with a message of authenticity and courage, quoting Michael Jordan: “I will become what I know I am.”
Class Vice-President Jordan Skiles followed with a speech full of humor and heartfelt appreciation. “I got forced to give this speech since Noah Weaver decided to be Class President and Salutatorian,” he joked. Skiles reminisced about elementary antics, high school achievements, and the class’s transformation from a “troubled class” into one that earned nearly $700,000 in scholarships. “Be like a buffalo—run toward the storm, not away from it,” he urged, concluding with, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
Salutatorian Noah Weaver then delivered a message of reflection and resilience. “It feels like it was just yesterday when I’d arrived for my first day at Rossville,” he said. From March Madness in the lunchroom to competing on the wrestling mat, he shared moments that defined his high school experience. Quoting a metaphor from a film, he offered: “There are two wolves inside of us. One is darkness and despair, the other is light and hope. Which one wins? The one you feed.” Weaver challenged his classmates to push through difficulty and stay grounded in hope.
The Class Profile was presented by Avery Layton, Makaylie Osborn, and Abigail Woollen, who guided the audience through 13 years of shared memories, from kindergarten nap time and letter people to junior year buzz cuts and senior prom. With laughter and nostalgia, they recalled milestones like fifth-grade talent shows, middle school crushes, pandemic-era classes, and athletic championships. They closed with a heartfelt tribute: “Congratulations, Class of 2025—we are at the end of our first chapter.”
Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna then addressed the graduates briefly, stating, “As superintendent of the Rossville Consolidated School District, and upon the recommendation of your principal, I accept the members of the Class of 2025 as candidates for a diploma.”
Following Dr. Hanna’s remarks, Assistant Principal Mrs. Sierra Hall announced each graduate’s name as they crossed the stage, where Principal Michael Hammons presented them with their diplomas. Mr. Nathan Burkle recognized each graduate’s parents and guardians, expressing gratitude for their support throughout the students’ educational journey.
Brooklynn Morris delivered the closing remarks, thanking families, staff, and the Rossville community for their unwavering support. “Although we may not have made it easy, and we all know deep down you can’t wait to see us go, your guidance has played a crucial role in shaping us into the people we are today,” she said. Encouraging her classmates to embrace the future with courage and humility, she quoted Walt Disney: “Always remember who you are.”
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic tassel-turning ceremony, led by seniors Nick Bush and Caleb Fife, marking the official transition of the Class of 2025 from students to graduates.
As the Class of 2025 turns the page, they leave behind a proud legacy of transformation, perseverance, and unity, ready to face the future with purpose, hope, and determination.
Photos Attached: (Photos Courtesy of Jennifer Stingley)