Members of the Class of 2025 celebrated their achievements academically and otherwise during the Senior Night ceremony on May 14.
The evening also highlighted the money the graduates received in scholarships and other awards, with the total amount of offers amounting to more than $1,783,490, including more than $36,000 of local scholarships through the Aubrey Education Foundation alone.
'This class has excelled academically, as evidenced by the number of colleges and other scholarships offered to our students,' Assistant Principal Vinny Thomas said near the close of the night, adding that the total she shared 'does not take into consideration any awards or offers that may come in over the next couple of weeks. We are extremely proud of the awards and the accomplishments of the Class of 2025.'
She and Principal Brett Phipps also recognized a host of teachers, administrators and support staff who provided the graduates with the help they needed to complete their degrees as well as the families who provided guidance and support outside of the classroom.
Each of the graduates who attended crossed the stage of the Aubrey High School auditorium as English teacher Dawn Dooley read out their name and the future plans of most of the graduates.
One of those graduates, Nathan Hough, received offers of 'approximately $300,000 in academic scholarships and $1,500 for merit scholarships.'
The evening also included recognition of the academic and extracurricular work the students, including participation in Beta Club, the National Honor Society, FFA, Student Council and student athletes
Abigail Allen/The Post-Signal who had committed to continue playing in collegiate sports.
The Top 10 percent of the class, which consisted of Valedictorian Emma Gillum, Salutatorian Hillary Koeman, Miranda Torres, Chloe Nguyen, Elleanna Dover, Lauren Drinnon, Rory Duncan, Judah Van Rijn, Nathan Hough and Molly Reid, also had the opportunity to be celebrated as a group.
The students who have enlisted in the military were also recognized.
'We're always honored and proud to have students choose service to their country upon graduating high school,' Assistant Principal Dr. Duane Flowers said. 'As an Army veteran myself, I know the sacrifice that is made when you take an oath to protect and serve the Constitution of this great nation.'
Those students were Brayden Hamilton, Navy; Aidan McKeehen, Marine Corps; Blaine Moore, Navy; and Tyler Stuckey, Army.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor, who was the first to present a scholarship for the evening, was happy to see the continuation of a tradition that began in 2015.
'It's one of my favorite nights of the year,' she said.
That's because it not only provides a chance to highlight the success of the graduates but also to honor the people behind the local scholarships.
'[It was separated] from rose cutting to really give the honor of scholarships and endowments because we have so many endowments in legendary people's names that it gives a time to speak about that person,' Saylor said. 'I think that means a lot and then the kid can know what the meaning is behind the scholarship money that they're getting.'
