A host of 60 Tioga Bulldogs made the transition from students to graduates on June 6 in their high school gym.
The Class of 2025, equipped with roses, stickers, poppers and confetti canons, celebrated the culmination of their grade school adventures together.
'I come to you asking that you keep all of my classmates safe as we go our separate ways today,' Austin Norwood said during the invocation. 'Let all of us accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves and our futures. I pray you help each of us keep our faith strong as we begin the next chapter of our lives, God.'
Next to the stage was the class salutatorian, Lizbeth Fraire De Leon.
She shared some of the collective memories of the group from kindergarten and a field trip where 'kids got sprayed in the eyes by the dinosaurs to our senior field trip to Six Flags where Gabe lost his slide on the Batman and had to walk around Six Flags for 5 hours with only one shoe.'
'You all have been my people,' Fraire De Leon said. 'And even though we may be heading in different directions, part of me will always carry the pieces of you I’ve collected along the way. Your laughter, your encouragement, your stubbornness, your strength. I've seen it in every one of you: the ability to rise, to grow, to fight for what matters.'
She also took the time to thank her parents in Spanish for their love and support.
'Mamá, gracias por tu infinita paciencia y tu fuerza,' she said. 'Me enseñaste a ser valiente y a nunca rendirme, incluso cuando la vida se pone difícil. Papá, gracias por tu esfuerzo constante y tu dedicación. Me enseñaste que los sueños no se logran por suerte, sino con trabajo, sacrificio y perseverancia.'
She encouraged her classmates to keep going, even when life feels difficult.
'We’ll stumble, we’ll doubt ourselves and we’ll question if we’re on the right path,' Fraire De Leon said. 'But that’s OK. I think we’ve learned by now that failure isn’t the end; it’s just another step in the journey. We don’t grow from our successes; we grow from our struggles.'
She was followed on the stage by Principal Keith Kirkland, who spoke one last time to all of his favorites at once.
'As I sat down to write this speech, and honestly right now, apparently, I was overcome with emotion; for those of you who don't know the Class of 2025--hmm,' he said. 'The Class of 2025 entered the halls of Tioga High School the same year that I was named principal. This group has and will always be very special to me. I tried, Yankee. I'm not going to be able to do it.'
Several of the graduates, too, got choked up as he spoke about their accomplishments and personalities.
He also shared that 'at last count, and I believe there is more coming in, this group is just shy of $1 million in scholarships.'
Kirkland also shared some life advice with the students: 'learn to adapt and keep moving forward;' 'failures are stepping stones;' 'respect is earned, not given;' 'money doesn't buy opportunities;' 'confidence is built;' 'time is your most valuable resource;' 'hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard;' 'choose your friends wisely;' 'your word is truly your bond;' 'life and others, for that matter, owe you nothing.'
He encouraged them to 'get on your way.'
'Congratulations, Class of 2025,' Kirkland said. 'The future is yours, and I can't wait to see what you will achieve.'
Raylee Wilson, the class valedictorian, came to the podium and shared a message about gratitude, both for the shared experiences and support systems of the graduates, and also for the future ahead.
'I think back to when we first walked through these doors, full of excitement, nerves, and maybe even a lit- tle bit of fear,' she said. 'We were so different then, eager to find our place in the world, uncertain of what we wanted to do and unsure of the challenges we would face. But each one of us has grown in ways that are impossible to measure. We’ve pushed ourselves to the limit, made mistakes, learned from them, and, ultimately, we’ve become stronger, wiser, and more ready for the next chapter of our lives.'
She had a message of encouragement for the uncertainty the graduates all face in taking the next steps of their journey, telling them, 'We are ready.'
'In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future,'' Wilson said. 'These words remind me that no matter where we go or what we face, God already has a plan for each and every one of us.
'We are not here by accident; we are part of a purpose. And as we walk into the unknown, we can trust that he will lead us, His wisdom will guide us, and His love will surround us.'
Emma Cox came to the front to initiate an annual tradition, the rose ceremony.
'We know that we couldn't have made it this far without the support of our parents, siblings, families, friends, teachers and administration,' she said. 'Please allow us to show our appreciation by honoring all of you at this time.'
The graduates reached for the flowers below their chairs before connecting with their loved ones and influential adults throughout the gym as 'In This Moment' by Alison Yap, then 'Slipping Through My Fingers' by Abba played.
As the Tioga-green-clad grads returned to their seats, the time arrived for them to cross the stage.
'Be proud, very proud, no matter where your journey takes you, that you're from Tioga ISD,' Superintendent Josh Ballinger said.
Abbie Benke and Jake Bryson made their way to the stage one last time.
'We would like to personally thank each and every one of you for being here to celebrate this milestone with us,' Benke said before leading the crowd in the Tioga school song.
Bryson then took the mike to offer the benediction.
'This is the end of a chapter, Lord, but that does not mean that we are on our own from here on out,' he said. 'I pray that you will make your presence known through the trials and tribulations that we will face in the world. Do not let us forget that we are loved truly and deeply and no matter what, we will be alright.'
After the pair returned to their seats, Kirkland called out, 'By the power vested in me, I hereby declare the Class of 2025 to be graduates of Tioga High School. Congratulations, graduates, the time is now. Here's to the Class of 2025.'
And the air filled with green caps and confetti to celebrate the Bulldogs, who walked out to the American Authors' 'Best Day of My Life.'
Photos by Abigail Allen/The Post-Signal
