001[Music] Hello. Oh, everyone. No problem. You make middle school. Remember [Music] I actually Something just flew at me. [Music] I don't know what it was torture. the same. out. It's hard. There's random people. One [Music] minute. Heat. Heat. I want to find [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Please be seated. Thank you, Mr. Moore and members of the band, parents, friends, faculty, graduates. Good afternoon. Welcome to the commitments exercises for William Campbell Combined School class of 2025. We are honored that you could join us today to celebrate this special occasion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank William Campbell Combined Schools Community, Dr. Scott Miller
002who serves as our school board representative. The remaining school board representatives are Superintendent Dr. Klay Stanley, parents, grandparents, and extended families. For your dedication and support of today's graduating seniors, now it is my pleasure to turn over the program to our president of our newly formed student council association, Payton Francis. Payton is not only a committed and driven student, but also a talented leader who balances her academic responsibilities with an active role in school life. She's a proud member of our softball team, where she displays the same perseverance and teamwork that she brings to every aspect of her life. As president of the Beta Club, Payton upholds the values of academic excellence and community service. She leads by example and always puts others first. Her ability to inspire her peers, her work ethic, and her
003genuine care for those around her make her a role model. Payton leads with humility, humility, confidence, and a clear vision for student voice. Please join me in welcoming our student council association president, Payton Francis. Good evening. Please join me and rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. family, friends, special guest, administrators, faculty, and staff. Thank you, Mr. Cartwright, for the introduction. As president of the Student Council Association, it is my great honor to introduce to you the graduates of William Campbell Combined School, class of 2025. As I see you here today, it is amazing to see how far you
004have all come. As a rising senior, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for helping mentor and guide me personally as well as my fellow classmates. The halls of William Campbell will not be the same without you next year. And I can say that with certainty. As you complete your journey at William Campbell, I know that great opportunity, success, and a few challenges lie on the path ahead. But you have already learned much of what you need. Grit, goals, growth, graduate, or as I would more simply put it, get it done. Don't let obstacles get in your way. Push through as a general would. In closing, I am proud to call so many of you my friends. It seemed like just yesterday we were in Brook Elementary School together, and today we part.
005It is sad, but necessary. I leave you with this thought from Shakespeare. If we meet again, we shall smile. If not, then this parting was wellmade. Congratulations, class of 2025. You did it. [Applause] I will now recognize the top 10 of the class of 2025 in the JP Stevens award winners. Seniors, when I call your names, please come to the stage and stay on the stage until all have been recognized. For the class of 2025, the number 10 senior is Clayson Carter. Our number nine senior is Jaylen Williams. The number eight senior is Lillian Pucket. The number seven senior is Megan Hamlet. The number six senior is Dylan Nelson. The number five senior is Alyssa Kennan. The number four senior is Amy Lucz Ruez. [Applause] The number three senior is Ethan [Applause] Walden. The number
006two senior and our saludiatoran for the class of 2025 is Cullen Whitmore. And lastly, our number one senior and validictorian is Kayla Hudgens. I proudly present to you the top 10 seniors for William Campbell's class of 2025. I ask you to give them a big round of applause. Top 10 seniors, you may be seated. Each year, seniors from the graduating class are awarded the JP Stevens Award. This is a prestigious honor that started with the class of 1987 when JP Stevens was a thriving industry in Brook Neil. JP Stevens is long gone, but the tradition has remained to award a noteworthy senior who has excelled in each of the following areas during their time in high school: English, history, science, mathematics, vocational education, world language, music, and fine arts. Seniors, when I call your name,
007please come to the stage and stay on the stage until all of you have been recognized. Our JP Stevens award winner in mathematics this year is our saludiatoran Colin [Applause] Whitmore. The JP Steven award winner in science is our validictorian Kayla Hudgins. The JP Stevens Award winner for English is Matteline Talbert. The JP Stevens Award winner for fine arts is Amy Luc Ruez. Our JP Stevens Award winner for vocational education is Savarier Charlton. The JP Stevens Award winner for history is Ethan Walden. Our JP Stevens Award winner for music goes to Delaney [Applause] Burton. And lastly, the JP Stevens Award winner for world language goes to Cheyenne Botmley. [Applause] I present to you at this time our 2025 JP Stevens Award recipients for William Campbell Combined School. Please give them a round of applause. You
008may be seated. I will now recognize William Campbell Combined School's honor graduates. These students are wearing yellow cords and have a minimum of a 3.0 grade average through the end of their senior year. Students, when your name is called, please stand. Audience, please hold your applause until all students have been recognized. Tabitha Bertise, Cheyenne Botmley, Jeremiah Bradley, Delaney Burton, Dylan Carroll, Adriana Casserly Scott, Savarier Charlton, Clayson Carter, Ayanna Copeland, Megan Hamlet, Zoe Hannah, Kayla Hudgins, Alyssa Kennan, Anariah Logan, Josiah Lowry, Amy Luc Ruez, Dylan Nelson, Lillian Pucket, Kalia Saunders, Jason Shepard, Raven Shoemaker, Israel Smith, Devin St. John, Ethan St. John, Mattaline Talbert, Ashton Torres, Cassie Towns, Audrey Updike, Ethan Walden, Cullen Whitmore, Jaylen Williams, and Jackson Wilson. Please give our honor graduates a round of applause. You may be seated. Every year, the state
009of Virginia recognizes seniors who have gone above and beyond in their academic endeavors. The Early College Scholars program recognizes students who have taken courses that may qualify for at least non college credit hours, earned an advanced diploma in addition to other criteria provided by the state of Virginia. I would like for the following early college scholars to stand and be recognized. The students who meet these stringent criteria are Delaney Burton, STEM Academy, Dylan Faulner, CVCC, Megan Hamlet, CVCC, Kayla Hudins, STEM Academy, Alyssa Kennan, Early College Program. Josiah Lowry, CBCC. Amy Lucas Ruez, AP student. Dylan Nelson, CVCC. Jason Shepard, AP student. Israel Smith, CVCC. Devin St. John, CVCC. Mattaline Talbert, AP student. Audrey Updike, CVCC. Ethan Walden, Early College. Cullen Whitmore, Central Virginia Governor's School. and Jaylen Williams, CBCC. You may be seated. At this
010time, we would also like to recognize students who attended the Campbell County Technical Center for either one or two years. All of these students received a medal, and those who completed their program also received a certificate. Please stand as I call your name. Anthony Boyd, Shakayiah Braxton, Dylan Carroll, Clayson Carter, Adriana Casterly Scott, William Fannon, Dylan Faulner, Zoe Hannah, Isaiah Hernandez, Noah Howard, AM Amber Moore, Dylan Nelson, Blake Peek, Lillian Pucket, Xander Roco, Harmony Sanderson, Kalia Saunders, Philip Shepard, Raven Shoemaker, Devin St. John, Ethan St. John, Ashton Torres, Audrey Updike, Jackson Wilson, Savannah [Music] [Applause] [Music] Wilson. You may be seated. [Music] Good evening, faculty, family, friends, and most importantly, the class of 2025. I am honored and privileged to stand before you as the class's invited speaker. When I was a child, many people
011told me that school moves fast, and I didn't believe them. But as I stand here on this stage, I realize that everything moved so fast. One minute we were taking naps in prek, and now we're waiting to turn our tassels. We have so many stories, small and significant, that have shaped us to who we are and what we will become. Over these four years, we have built something special and bigger than us, a community. Whether we were cheering on our football team on a rainy night against Alta Vista or watching the boys basketball team take down the number one seed in the regional playoffs, we were always together. These events gave us structure in our community. But even through the good times, we did face challenges, tests that pushed us, losses that hurt us, and
012moments that made us wonder if we even wanted to keep showing up. But that's what makes our class so special. We grew past the challenges and became better people. Let's not forget the teachers who made it possible for us to be standing here today, helping us with work, giving us extra credit, knowing we wouldn't do it anyway, and of course, giving us snacks when we didn't want to eat lunch. You guys gave us structure in the classrooms and left us more educated. As we close the doors on William Campbell, we have to remember that another door for a more promising future will open. Whether you're heading off to college, the workforce, the military, or even taking a gap year to discover yourself, we leave here with more than a diploma today. We leave with values,
013resilience, and relationships that will last a lifetime. So, class of 2025, I want to leave you all with this quote from my favorite artist, Germaine Lamar Cole, also known as J.Cole. Keep grinding. Your life can change in one year. And even when it's dark out, the sun is shining somewhere. Today is not just the end. It's also the beginning. Congratulations, class of 2025. We made history. Now, let's go make the future. Thank [Applause] you. Cullen Whitmore, please come forward to be recognized as a saludiatoran of William Campbell Combined Schools, class of 2025. With a stellar cumulative gradepoint average of 4.3538, Cullen also graduates from the prestigious Central Virginia Governor's School. Cullen will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall to study literature. Congratulations, Cullen. We know you will do great things in the
014future. [Applause] Greetings all. I as the ludiatoran have been charged with providing supplementary uplift though my normal fervent antagonism is under the tragic restraint of a censored script and I bear these shackles too. The this platform is an excellent opportunity to offer you some advice. I am glad to have served as a student here for these past seven years and I truly think no school could have better served me. I know of no better place where my faith might have flourished and my mind might have expanded. I've received excellent counsel from numerous exceptional teachers and administrative staff, many of whom have since left. I recall most clearly the insights of my English teachers, Mr. Orango and Miss Lawson. And I am better for the discussions facilitated by my history and politics teacher, Miss Robson, who
015is still with us. I have also been brightened by my wonderful friend this year, though most have walked this stage already. Put simply, this environment has enlightened me as no other could. And for that enlightenment, I perceive in the wider world a reality not often discussed here. And because I care for people and not the super structure, I urge that you behold this reality and oppose it. I urge that you resist the appeal of division and promote and engage in your connection to your community. You may be compelled to disregard your community, especially by the digital that I know too well. But I again urge you to continue your devotion. I additionally advise that you spread this message for the betterment of everyone for it often slips the minds of the meagerly connected that their
016expansive freedom is a product of the society they form and contribute to rather than just an absence of obligation. This leads to my second piece of advice for you all. Be confident. I spontaneously restructured myself with simple confidence and I encourage the rest of you that are interested to try it. There exist those that lack expressiveness in their will and in their mannerisms. Constantly beg for empty gestures of acceptance. If this speaks to you, cease your worrying and be loud. Be open about yourself and be willing to reveal your nature to your fellow folk. Be active in your pursuit of a better world. I look forward to meeting the confident, especially with their wealth of oddities. For, in the words of David Lynch, absurdity is what I most like in life. If you're wrong, own
017it and grow. One must, after all, be a fool to become wise. And in this way, we might together become great. If I cross paths with you, I pray we may impress each other. On that I leave you to those to whom I am your salatoran, I give you salutations. And considering my uncharacteristic brevity, Lat. Good night all. Good evening. Go forth and commune. [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Come on. Come on. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Kayla Hudins, please come forward to be recognized as the validictorian of William Campbell Combined School, class of 2025. 5. Kayla graduates from William Campbell Combined School with an impressive cumulative GPA of 4.3906. Kayla is also a graduate from the Lynchburg Regional Governor's STEM Academy. Kayla will attend the University of Virginia in the fall to
018study aerospace engineering and eventually obtain her pilot's license. Congratulations, Kayla. We know your future will be bright. [Applause] Good afternoon, faculty, friends, and family, and most importantly, class of 2025. I promise to keep this short and sweet. I know we all have things to do after this. I may or may not be going to a concert straight after this. I know standing here in front of you all today should make me insanely nervous, but I feel weirdly calm. I'm probably the last person you all expect to say that, but in the end, I've realized we have all grown up together. And there's no reason to be nervous. I'm not going to I'm not going to stand up here and say that something corny like we all did it, but it's true. We did. Some of
019us felt like this point was never going to come, me included. But for and for others, it may have felt like time moved too fast. We became closer friends with some while becoming more distant with others. Trust me, I know. I mean, I've been spending most of my time at CBCC and I haven't been around for two years. Even so, we all have one thing in common. We are sitting here in our navy blue cap and gowns because we all h we all trust have trust in ourselves. A saying that stuck with me and something that I now go by is this too shall pass. I say this to myself every time something bad or embarrassing happens and I have a lot of embarrassing moments or even when friend a friend reaches out to me.
020A reminder that bad things too will come to an end and will get better with time is important and always nice to have. For a number of you, me as well, overthinking is a bad moment. Overthinking after a bad moment is something that can keep us from living in the present and moving towards the future. I even sat in my living room overthinking the speech. But if there's one piece of advice I could give you is to let the time pass. A little fun fact about me that some of you may know is that I'm a big Marvel fan. And at the end of one of my favorite shows, Loki, Mobius says to Sylvie that he might just wait here for a little bit and let time pass. I think we can all use that
021line when something bad is going on in our lives or you just seem to be stuck in a rut because sometimes things those things too shall pass. Whether you're going to a four-year or two-year college or a technical school or straight into the workforce, you'll all do amazing. I just know it. And that comes with being in the present and working your best in that moment even when it feels hard because things will because time will pass. So with that let us live in this moment today and after all this all this commitment is the beginning of something new for all of us. Thank you for the teachers and my friends for putting up with my overthinking especially my pro procrastination. Miss Don especially you. And I want to most importantly thank Miss Robson for
022teaching me the important lesson of perseverance which made a huge impact on my life not only with your classes but in sports. And my family, thank you for putting up with my nonsense and pushing me to be my best. Class of 2025, thank you. And remember to live in the present and not be stuck in the past. [Applause] Good afternoon, generals. First, let me thank you for the incredible honor of standing here for you before you today as your principal. It's hard to put into words just how much this year and all of you have meant to me. As I sat down to write this speech, I thought back to the days when I started in education and to the students who shaped me. Now standing here, I realize that only a year with you
023all, you've done the same to me. You've left your mark, not only on this school, but on me. You've given me memories I will carry for a lifetime. I got to see Cassie Towns crowned homecoming queen and prom queen. A double honor earned by her grace and kindness she swn all year long. I got to watch Ethan St. John dance the night away at prom and then be crowned prom king. A moment that made the night unforgettable. I got to witness Jaylen Williams, Amante Bradley, Taye Thompson, Dylan Faulner, Devin St. John and Yay Charlton lead the eighth seated General's basketball team to an upset over the number one seed Cumberland. What a game. What a team effort. It wasn't a win. It was a message. Never count out the Generals. I got to hear Moses
024Vassel sing a solo that changed how I'll see him forever. It gave me a whole new respect for the strength in his voice and his spirit. I got to watch Delaney Burton command our band like a seasoned director. Someone who didn't just play music, but made it come alive. I got to witness Jaden Jackson never give up and work his way to the finish line here today. Even when it seemed like all the odds were against him, he made it here today. I got to see what servitude in action truly looks like through Jackson Wilson and Will Fannon, who dedicated their time and energy to improving our weight room, not for themselves, but for future generals who will walk our halls. And I got to see our senior leadership team lean into service, supporting Brookne
025Neil's students event after event, showing what it meant to lead with heart and humility. These are the moments that remind me why we do what we do. This is what legacy looks like. Not just trophies or titles, but the way you show up for others. The way you leave a place better than you found it. Now, a bit of advice as you take your next steps. First, graduation is only a concept. In real life, you graduate every day. Every challenge you face and every step you take forward is part of the process. If you can understand that, you're already ahead. Secondly, have the courage to grow into who you truly are and not who others expect you to be. You get to define your success. You get to build your path. And it's okay if
026that path doesn't look like anyone else's. Remember, neither success nor failure is final. Life will surprise you with joy in the most unexpected places. It might be your first apartment, your first real paycheck, or the feeling of being seen and valued by someone. These are the milestones that matter. Lastly, people may not forget what you said or did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel. You have made us proud. You've made this school a better place and I hope you leave here knowing that the good you've done will not be forgotten. So go be bold, be kind, and never forget that you are and always will be a William Campbell General. Congratulations, class of 2025. Thank you for letting me be your principal. [Applause] Mr. Cartwright, the seniors before you have met the
027graduation requirements of the Virginia Department of Education, the Campbell County School Board, and the faculty of William Campbell Combined School, and are eligible to receive their diplomas on this 31st day of May, 2025. Honor marshals, please escort the class of 2025 to the podium. And faculty, please take your position. Tabitha Lynn Bertiz [Applause] Cheyenne Elizabeth [Applause] Bottomley, Anthony Deir Boyd, [Applause] Amante Savon Bradley, [Music] Jeremiah Zion Bradley, [Applause] Shakayia Sayia Braxton. [Applause] Delaney Elizabeth [Applause] Burton Dylan Carter [Applause] Carroll Clayson Kaiser [Applause] Carter, Adriana Lee Casserly Scott, [Applause] Savarier, Diamore. for Lal [Applause] Charlton. Yes, sir. Ayana Deon Copelan. [Applause] Gabrielle Tamriia [Music] [Applause] Evans, Jaden Paula Fannon, [Applause] William Allen Fannon. [Applause] Matthew Dylan Faulner Jr. Leila Marie Hamlet, Megan Marie Hamlet, [Applause] Zoe and Hannah, [Music] [Applause] Aiden Thomas Harrington, [Applause] Isaiah Medina
028Phillip Hernandez, [Music] [Applause] Noah Reed Howard, [Applause] Kayla Naomi [Applause] Hudgens, Jaden Zamir Jackson, [Music] [Applause] [Music] Alyssa Rose [Applause] Kennan, Sha Chandler, Kenny [Applause] Anaria Lania Logan, Josiah Thomas Lowry, [Applause] Amy Lucas Ruez, [Applause] Amber Nicole Moore, [Applause] [Music] James Kevin Neil Dylan Blake Nelson, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Blake Austin, [Applause] Peek, Lillian Grace Pucket, [Applause] Xander James Roco, [Applause] Harmony Rose Sanderson, [Applause] Kalia Ammani Saunders, Phillip Jason Sheepard, [Music] [Applause] Raven Destiny Shoemaker, [Applause] Brianna Lee Smith, Israel Mlozzy [Applause] Devin Addison St. [Applause] John Ethan Parker St. [Applause] John Maline K. Talbert, [Applause] Montavius Leseawn Thompson, Ashton Dale Torres, [Applause] Cassie Nicole Towns, [Applause] [Music] James Cornell Traum, [Applause] Audrey, Anna [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Updike, Liixie, Piola, Vasquez, Castro, Moses Nathaniel Fel, [Applause] Delaney Tucker Vaughn, [Applause] [Music] Ethan Brian Walden, [Applause] [Music]
029Diavon Rain Lothal, Colin Elias [Applause] [Music] Whitmore, Jaylen Xavier Williams Jackson Andrew Wilson. [Applause] [Music] Savannah Lee Wilson, [Applause] [Music] Trazison, Omique, [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Wooding. Well done. [Music] [Applause] [Music] What happened? [Music] At this time, will the class of 2025 please rise? By the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Campbell County School Board, I hereby declare you graduates and alumni of William Campbell Combined School. Congratulations graduates. At this [Applause] time, at this time, I would ask everyone to please stand and remain standing as the faculty and graduates recess out. After the recessional, please meet your graduate at the top of the stairs in the Vine Center. Graduates, please march to the top of the stairs. Congratulations again. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]