001Good afternoon, parents, guardians, cadets, faculty, and guests. We will begin the 41st commission exercise of Franklin Military Academy promptly at 300 p.m. This is a formal ceremony and all graduating cadets deserve to be recognized. Therefore, during the ceremony, we ask that you do not display any gestures of yelling, cheering, or loud offers that will disrupt the order of commencement exercises. You may be asked to leave the name of those gestures are displayed. Please be considerate of all guests who wish to hear the name of a particular debt. We request that gentlemen remove during the presentation of colors and say of the national anthem. Finally, please silence all electronic devices. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. [Music] See some Wait, what? I feel like there's nothing to do until I get down to changing [Music]
002Did you say that they were going to play? All right. [Music] You speak any other languages? Speak any other languages? practice in Spanish. Where did you practice in Spanish? Um, we love everything. Good afternoon everyone. [Music] things. Don't forget [Music] Good question. LA the last graduation are they expecting a small amount of graduates or so it'll probably be a long graduation we are today I don't think there was more than 10 to 15 graduates This might be actually I'm just kind of gauging the length. Trying to see what the last one's going to Thank you. [Music] She's not sure. Amazing. [Music] Oh, speech speech. [Music] Candace. Oh, Candace. May I have your attention please? Please stand for presentation of colors and remain standing for national. [Music] Excuse me. We will start with procession first. You
003may be seated. [Music] Is that good? Is that good? can't come in. Oh, that's just okay. [Music] Architect. [Music] Please stand for the presentation. No, the ones that are sitting. Oh, yeah. [Music] Fore. [Music] Just [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Guard [Applause] car forward march. [Music] Five. Breathe. Close. Oh, say can you see what [Music] Trust your brightly. [Music] Street. [Music] from [Music] Texas. That's all we [Music] [Applause] [Music] Thank you. [Music] Glory. [Music] Ice I [Applause] need to use the bathroom. Hey, no, these ain't open right here. [Music] Hey, excuse me. Excuse me. 6 All right. Good evening. How's everybody doing? It is a great pleasure that I introduce our stage participants. I ask that you hold your applause until each section of participants have been introduced. I also ask that each participant in this
004section remain standing until everyone has been beginning with my right this record school board second district school board The number eight district better be a different jafari. They don't think district school board chairperson school board member n district came superintendent of Richmond public school. Let's give them a round of applause. to my far right. Dr. Smith, assistant principal, Franklin Military Academy. Dr. Fire, school counselor, Franklin Military Academy. Let's give him a round of applause. Am I for life Jefferson chief operating officer secondary education Dr. Bill, principal, director, secondary education. Let's give him a round of applause to my far left. Second row. [Music] [Applause] our life. [Music] Miss Walker, senior sponsor, high school district. [Applause] Senior class sponsor to my far left, Miss Smith, Miss [Applause] That is bad. Mendes, our guitar teacher. [Applause] Good
005evening. Teachers and staff, superintendent, school leaders, school board members, proud families of all the amazing graduates military class 2025. We welcome you. It is truly an honor to stand before you today class military academy. This is more than just today. We recognize years of effort, growth, and determination. To our graduates, your journey here wasn't always easy, but you named it. Your presence today shows your strength, discipline, and leadership. At Franklin Academy, you live by values like service and purpose. You set a great example for those who will come after you and we couldn't be prouder. You didn't just school because a tough academic and leadership program that gave you more than just knowledge. You gain skills, values, and experience that will guide you through life. As you move forward, whe deeply about others through our
006wonderful families and loved ones, thank you. Your support, love, and sacrifice help shape these graduates. This moment is yours, too. To the parents and caregivers, thank you for trusting us with your children, some middle school, and others starting in high school. You g us your very best and we're seeing them grow into strong leaders. to our amazing dedication. You go way beyond. You show our students what it means to live with honor, courage, and accountability [Music] every stand up. a lot of energy and time to your presence means much to us. The Church Hill Civ Association, Richmond, Virginia Chapter of Police, Concerned Black Richmond, the Alavator Capital One, and most of all, and this person on stage, our PTS. [Music] Thank you for your [Applause] time. Your support does not go. As we reflect on
007this special day, let's remember of the friends made the challenge and the moments that help shape these class. The class of 2025 is leaving behind a legacy. A legacy of strength, character, and unity. Graduates, this is where you are. As you get out into the world, take the values which you live with integrating [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Good afternoon everyone. It is an absolute honor to stand before you today as chair of Richmond City School Board and a proud representative of the district. On behalf of the entire school board, I bring greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the distinguished graduating class of Franklin Military Academy. Franklin is not your average high school. And that's the beauty of it. Here, you've learned that leadership isn't about titles. It's about responsibility. It's about showing up, doing what's right,
008and serving something greater than yourself. The discipline, structure, and values instilled within Franklin Military Academy walls have shaped you into young men and women of character and devotion. Graduates, you have completed a journey that required more than academic excellence. It require mental toughness and perseverance. You balanced academics, let's be honest, drills and expectations with great grace and grit. You didn't just survive randomly, you conquered it. And now you're stepping into the world as leaders who are ready. Whether you are headed into the military, college, the workforce, or another plan, you are prepared. You've already shown that you can lead, you can serve, and you can rise. In the words of General Coen Powell, a trailblazer in both military public service, a dream doesn't become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination, and hard work. You've
009demonstrated every one of those qualities, and that's what makes today so exceptional. To the parents, families, and dedicated staff, thank you for standing beside our graduates every step of the way. Your love, encouragement, and support have made a lasting difference. So, to the class of 2025, on behalf of Richmond City School Board, we salute you. We believe in you. We celebrate you. and we are so proud of what you're already accomplished and what's still ahead. And I pray God's safety over you. Stand tall with purpose. Lead boldly with conviction and carry the unshakable foundation you built at Franklin. Wherever you go, the world is waiting. Go make your mark. Congratulations, graduates. Thank you. Hey, Richmond public schools class of 2025. It's your mayor daily. I'm not just your mayor. I'm also a proud Christian public
010school's dad. And I'm so excited and honored to be celebrating you today our PS graduates. You did it. Graduation is a huge milestone and I want you to know how proud I am. Not just as your mayor, but as someone who believes deeply in the power of our young people. You have shown strength, determination, and a whole lot of heart to get here. Through every challenge, every late night, every test, and every new experience, you kept going. And today, you're walking across that stage as a graduate. That is no small thing. That is amazing work. Some of you have overcome big challenges, family struggles, health issues, school pressures, or just figuring out who you are and what's next. And yet here you are. You didn't give up. You kept moving forward. And we see you.
011To the families, teachers, school staff, and everyone who supported you. Thank you. It truly takes a village. And you've been that village for these incredible young people. Class of 2025, your future is bright. Richmond needs your energy, your creativity, your passion, and your voice. Whether you're heading to college, a career, the military, or something uniquely your own, I hope that you carry with you pride who you are and where you come from. You're part of the story of this city, and I believe in you with my whole heart. Congratulations, graduates. Go out and shine. Richmond is cheering you on. [Applause] Good afternoon. At this time, we would like to graduate and college academy graduates. I call your name. Please stand until our top 10. At number 10, we have with a 4.26 GPA, Na. [Applause]
012[Music] Isaiah 4.4.4 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Number six, Isaiah [Applause] D. Number five with a 4.51 T. [Applause] Number four with a 4.52 Yasmin Jackson. Number three4.65 [Applause] 65 and number one with the 46. [Applause] Please join us in congratulating our college. We are so proud of you. That is such an accomplishment. We acknowledge and please [Applause] stand and student. [Applause] [Music] At this time you will hear from selection. [Music] [Applause] Good afternoon to our guest, faculty, staff, friends, family, and most importantly, congratulating class. I'm a friend of Thank you all for being here to celebrate this milestone. It's a true honor to stand before you today as this year. When I first found out, I was surprised and excited right until I realized the danger of the speech. As my classmates know, I'm not exactly
013known to be a public speaker, but I do my best to make this short, meaningful. First, I want to thank the most important person in my life, my mother. [Applause] Mom, I've always loved you and I'm incredibly grateful for the constant support you [Music] gloss about the college. Now, let's be honest, today isn't just about it's about the journey to get here. It's not all possible projects that somehow turn into [Music] solit. We were able to accomplish our goals. But more than that, it's about the friendships we built along the way. The people who sat next to us in class, walked the halls with us, cheered us on, and sometimes helped us out when we didn't think at this school. These friends being family and without that support, I don't think many of us would.
014Even though it may seem like we're flipped up, look around. We're all connected in. It might sound cheesy, but today really is the beginning of our lives. Whether you're heading to college, joining a trade, listening military, or still [Music] figuring in I'm not going to be one of those people who disappear after graduation. I doubt many of us will help each other. Before I go and take my seat, I just want to say how proud I am. Whether I talk to you daily or not, we work hard. We prove that we can take on this together, resilient. I want to congratulate this small class of 44 students taking place. Thank you and enjoy the rest of the city. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Good afternoon everyone. To parents, friends, teachers, mentors, administrators, and of course the graduating
015class of 2025. Welcome. My name is and I'm honored to stand here today as valictorian of Franklin military academy the home of the night. When I first came to America as I'm from the Philippines who I really I thought students in school just got started dancing and sing spontaneously. High school musical was my only reference for well high school music. I was a little bit more than my disappointed as a kid growing up in absolutely everything that felt familiar and accept the whole world. In my things were more different than I expected. The vultures, the traditions, everything. I remember the first time I lined up in cafeteria in elementary school. I was super excited. They gave us pizza, fruit, a juice box, and a milk. I was paying attention. How was I standing here? Like,
016where's the rice? How was I supposed to survive with this? I'm 95% right. The other 5% that's just more rice. But as a something we're good at is adapting. We adjust. We figure things out. We make it work. even when we're talking to a whole new world with no rights three times a day because adaptation needs to grow and that's kind of what high school did when I started thinking about speech I really didn't know what to say I mean how do you sum up four years of school in one speech high school at Franklin was not a normal one it was an extraordinary one I came here 10th grade lost and confused I came to school I came to school late from tech I missed lunch not that it mattered I was bald and
017this like some inert. I remember going to class and the first train I made was 20 years. I thought it was weird at first and he ended up being an amazing man. He introduced me to Carter and Alex and people was the only other Asian and he always thought school [Music] right from Alex I met Zilly and I don't think he ever listen but if we did they would win the best in town they've been together since like the beginning of time I went to the library and met an amazing librarian I've always been friends with at every school that I go to because I'm an she's always the go-to person I talk to whenever I have something heavy in my mind or something I need to talk about. Thank you for being a good
018listener. I love you. Then I went to chemistry with I don't know if he's here today but please quit your current job and come back. But seriously, he was a great teacher. Chemistry was difficult but I still passed my name. Um that's also when I met my best friend Christopher. He has been by my side since I started going to Franklin and he's still here now. Loyal kind everything. I also met Asia and chemistry. Samora is an incredible singer and guitarist. I hope you're so great. You're very opposite. My uncle that's that's the nickname that it makes my name that she tell them the nickname that she don't mind the nickname he has swag to it probably the funniest person I've met I don't remember exactly what he said in chemistry but I was always
019on the verge of kicking my laughing great don't lose I met Ari and Sydney through information company. The best company there is at least when I was in it. Ari and Sydney help me learn all traditionals and stuff. People always mis middle schooler. I always mistook her for elementary school. But [Music] honestly is the life of our friend group. Always smiling always. She said I'm a friend. She's also an [Music] amazing business. Please support her business. I met Jennifer on the bus. I [Music] joined more people like that. Um who was in early days. Hi James. Hi James. Hi. And of course I saved the best for last. When I first met Angela I thought she and she not only [Music] one she's also been a great friend and talk about philosophies of life and
020our amazing commander. He's been incredible with during our mission but also great friend. I remember just last week I only had a stand for breakfast and a small piece of cake for lunch. I was in class who by the way is a superent all the teachers and students I haven't mentioned you're amazing I wish everyone would be here all day to my classmates, thank you for the bond and camaraderie of all the life experience we share. To the teachers, thank you for supporting us and doing your best, for teaching us like family. To my sister who always makes my day and your best advice. To my brother joy and optimism every day to my dad who's always been on me. I used to know because of the United [Music] States. I love you so much.
021Thank you. December. Congratulations, class of 2025. We did it. [Applause] We would like to give you [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] these different years. scholarship. We have a specialty. [Music] Hello everyone. So the GTSA as Colonel Hudson stated wanted to do something different this year so that we can develop something that we basic. So the two scholarships we're going to hand out today is not only because we want to start something but it's because every cadet, every parent, every faculty and staff play the roles that we'll be able to give these scholarships out. So this year we're able to raise $500. We're so excited to award one 250 hour [Applause] [Music] tattoo. Listen. nail. Okay. I tried to tell him that. Thank you. at this time. our graduates. Congratulations to you, Attorney financial assistance to students
022and trips. The change of command is a military tradition that represents authority responsibility for command. The history, tradition, and accomplishments of the man are embodied in the colors. The passing of the colors from the normal, excuse me, outgoing ensure that women are official leadership represents a continuation of trust and signifies to Commander incoming. [Music] [Applause] Hallelujah. Superintendent cameras and members of the mission board. I hereby certify the candidate to graduation fed all requirements for a high school diploma as required of Virginia and the Richmond City School Board and all are eligible to receive their diploma. Thank you, Principal Hudson. Before additional, can we just show our appreciation more time to [Music] [Applause] [Music] their middle school? I I am so proud of this class of 2025 that has been through so much and we are
023so overjoyed to celebrate you today as you go off into the world. The last thing I want to hear before we make this official and you get here to call us is how impressed you are by all of you. how brilliant you are and passionate and creative and it's going to be so hilarious and full of gratitude. The fact that you use your whole speech to thank the members of your class response about who you are and who this class is. And so as you go off, please don't let anyone ever tell you that you are not worthy of every joy in life, every richness in life, because you are soon to be a Franklin Military Academy and a Richmond School's graduate, and you deserve everything in life. And don't ever forget that here at
024RPS, we love you and we always will and we will always be here for you. And with that, are you ready [Music] [Applause] to powered in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Richmond City School Board, Iby accept and certified that the class of 2025 from Franklin Military Academy has indeed met all of the requires for graduation and is eligible to receive their diplomas. Congratulations [Applause] [Music] Are you sad? Ariana. [Applause] Sydney McKenzie. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Chelsea, Sabrina [Applause] Clark, Nyla, Indy. [Applause] [Music] A captain. [Applause] Anna Lucil, [Applause] Jana Nicole, Taylor Rose, [Applause] Michelle Park, [Applause] Michelle R. [Applause] Island. [Applause] [Music] Yeah, Samora Park. [Music] [Applause] Happy [Music] [Applause] birthday, Adrian. [Applause] That's not [Music] [Applause] Isaac [Applause] and Jerry the [Applause] John the Travis Brown. [Applause] [Music] David [Applause] [Music] [Applause]
025Nam brothers battle. President, [Applause] Brandon, Lewis, [Applause] 23. He is there. Isaiah [Applause] [Music] [Applause] blue. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Jaylen getting a whole lot of comments. It's the most engagement of all the graduations there. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Jess. [Applause] Surprise myself. [Applause] [Music] Andy, let's go. Good job. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Let's go. [Music] This [Music] one. Can't be. [Music] Go go go. [Music] at the [Music] bar. Go. [Music] You got to go. [Music] You cover that.