The Class of 2025 gathered together at Midway Church on May 22 to celebrate their connections to each other and the offers they have received to help fund their future plans.
Before participating in the ceremonial act of rose cutting, the seniors were celebrated for their achievements academically and otherwise.
'We gather to recognize the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of our graduating class,' Pilot Point High School Principal Marzia Infante said. 'These remarkable individuals have not only excelled in academics, the arts and athletics. They've also demonstrated leadership, resilience and a deep sense of community.'
She also recongized the absence of someone who should have been among the graduates seated before her.
'I'd like to take a moment to honor someone who will hold a special place in our lives, Vail Johnson,' Infante said. 'In remembrance of Vail, each senior has received a purple cord. This cord is not just a symbol. It's a tribute to the life that touched many and a spirit that continues to inspire us.'
The graduates were then recognized for their achievements, including being a distinguished graduate, an achievement nearly the whole class earned, being members of the National Honor Society and Student Council.
Scholarships funded by various school clubs, by the Pilot Point Educational Foundation and by external entities such as the Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club were also presented to the students.
Those amounts, when added to the offers the students received from their schools or future military benefits, added up to more than $1.49 million, as announced during the ceremony.
The work the students did in proficiency in more than one language, obtaining industrybased certifications through a career and technology education course, and earning the distinction of being an honors graduate were also celebrated, with the graduates called by name.
The Top 10% of the class were also recognized, called in alphabetical order: Quevin Aguirre Rico, Madelyn Champion, Bennett Cory, Ava Duesman, Anneliese Helton, Sabannah Hernandez Alcocer, Natalie Juarez, Noah Pelzel and Addison Short.
Then, it was time to recognize the top two graduates: Salutatorian Bennett Cory with a cumulative GPA of 102.204, and valedictorian Anneliese Helton with a GPA of 103.384.
Following the traditional senior slideshow, the graduates stood for the symbolic end of their high school career—cutting ribbon that symbolized their ties to one another.
Infante welcomed the seniors to stand.
'All of the students carry roses, which are joined by continuous ribbons, signifying the community of the class,' Infante said. 'These ribbons are cut to symbolize that each student now goes into the real world.'
