The Ronan High School Band played the processional ushering in the Class of 2025 last Friday evening. The stands of Laverne Parrish Memorial Field were filled with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, many holding flowers, who came to celebrate the 89 graduates of Ronan High School.

The 2025 graduates marched through the orange and black balloon arches for the last time in their high school careers, decked out in black caps and gowns. The drum Buckshot played an honor song for the young people with the Mission Mountains standing in the background.

Valedictorian Lauryn Buhr and co-salutatorians Koda King and Hanna Lytton each spoke to the graduates.

After cautioning that her dad threatened to just walk out if her speech was more than two minutes, Buhr said, “… There’s no more time for procrastination. Life starts now, and everything we have been through prepared us for this moment. We are now about to start a new chapter in our lives. I know we will all do great things.”

Graduation speeches, according to Salutatorian King, “are supposed to be full of some sort of profound wisdom, advice, profound words to wrap up our time here, all the great answers to life; but the truth is, I don’t have all the answers. None of us do.”

“What I can offer, though, is what I’ve learned through the moments most people never saw — the quiet struggles, never-ending doubts, things that didn’t quite go as planned, but most importantly the growth that came from all of that. So here’s what I’ve learned: life isn’t easy; it’s not supposed to be. It’s not meant to be smooth or predictable, free of challenge or pain.”

Graduates won’t find happiness “by standing still,” he advised. “You have to go after it, you have to put yourself out there, chase those dreams, take those risks, truly commit to something bigger than yourself …”

“One day you’ll look back and realize that everything – the wins and losses, silence and celebration, the triumphs and the heartbreaks – were preparing you for something greater,” he said.

Wishing her classmates good luck and congratulating them for working hard to reach commencement, Hanna Lytton also wished her dad a happy birthday on her graduation day.

Graduation for this particular class was a milestone for graduation speaker Madison Wickens, who was a first-year teacher when the Class of 2025 were freshmen.

“Even at 14 years old, you guys have always been super dedicated to this community. This class truly represents Ronan in remarkable ways … It’s been a privilege and an absolute blast to cheer them on,” Wickens said.

RHS Principal Kevin Kenelty presented photographer and all-around community supporter Susan Lake with a “Capture the Moment” award for her hard work, accompanied by audience and student applause.

An annual presentation, the “Big G” award went to Wade Qualtier. The plaque is given in honor of long-time principal Dick Gallagher to someone “who has made a great achievement or accomplishment to be here today,” Kenelty said.

Kenelty, true to form, gave the grads a gift — a key chain.

“Life after graduation is full of milestones, big and small,” he explained. “Carry your keychain of experiences and possibilities. Every new chapter is a door to be unlocked.”

Diplomas were presented, tassels were moved from right to left, and the Class of 2025 set off to make the world theirs.

    Valedictorian Lauryn Buhr sports sunglasses as most of the graduates did since they were facing west towards the setting sun. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Arianna Zepeda gets a hug from teacher Tom Leafty after she received her diploma at Friday night's Ronan High School commencement. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Ronan's Class of 2025 moves the tassels on their mortarboards from right to left in unison to symbolize their graduation. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    RHS 2025 graduate Connor Durglo has a diploma in his hand and a smile on his face at Friday night's commencement. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)