001[Music] My favorite part of the job is is is interacting with our students every day. You know, they they come in in the morning, they're here, they're energized, they're ready to go in the classroom. They're ready to get to work. Uh they stay here after school, they participate in extracurricular activities. And just seeing them, you know, show up every day here ready to do work and grow is is is what I love most about my job. When I think of Apponomic High School, I I I think that we offer a lot of everything. There's something for everybody here. Our families here, we we're in a a close-knit community, and I think that that's one of the most powerful parts of of our school community in general. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
002Heat. [Music] Heat up here. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] N. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Applause] Heat. Heat. Oh, heat, [Music] heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Please remain standing for the presentation of colors and the singing of the national anthem. Say by the dawn early so proudly we held at the twilight lastly. Whose bright stripes and bright stars through the perilous [Music] fights we were so gallently streaming and the rock.
003The bombs bursting in air give through the night. that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled [Applause] man for the land of the [Music] free and the home of the bra. Thank you. You may be seated. Thank you AHS choir and also thank you to our a department for the beautiful flowers this morning. Aquinamic school district board of education, Dr. Burroughs, AHS faculty and staff of the graduates and ladies and gentlemen of the Aquinic High School class of 2025. Welcome to the Aquinimic High School 15th annual commencement ceremony. My name is Sam Postowait and I'm the principal at Appalcon High School. Before we begin our formal program, I would like to take a moment to introduce our special guests. Please join me in welcoming Superintendent Dr. Matt Burroughs. Board of Education
004President Mr. Richard Forston Esquire Board of Education Vice President Dr. Toshiba Graham, Board of Education member. Mr. Norm Abrams, board of education member, Mrs. Michelle Dit, Board of Education member, Mrs. Michelle Wall, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Pullman, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Dr. Gina Robinson and our Apoquinn High School administration assistant principal Mr. Chris Beck, assistant principal, Mrs. Raven Collins, assistant principal Dr. Susan Flores, assistant principal, Mrs. Katherine Harry, and our class of 2025 adviser, Miss Alita Lee. Class of 2025. First, I would like to give my warmest congratulations to the class. You've been a talented, hardworking class, and I'm proud and of honored to have served as your principal. Today is a celebration, a moment that mo marks not just the end of high school, but the beginning of something greater. As you leave Aquinamic High
005School and embark on that journey of life after high school, I want to share a few thoughts with you. You, the graduating class of 2025, have potential to do great things. But it is not without sacrifice and grit and hard work that great things can become be accomplished. And it is not without resilience that you'll forge a new path and achieve the goals you have set for yourself. So, let me talk with you for just a few minutes about resilience. The Oxford dictionary describes resilience as the capacity or the ability you have to recover from difficulty, bounce back, sometimes stronger, from adversity. Resilience is determination. It is saying, "I'm bigger, stronger than whatever challenge I face." Make no mistake, you will face challenges in your life. When you are pushed down, get back up. When
006you are told you cannot, show the world that you can. When you don't know how you how you will find your way, simply find your way. Resilience isn't about never falling. It's about learning how to rise again and again with more wisdom, more heart, and more grit. Muhammad Ali understood this well. Despite being one of the greatest heavyweight champions, he faced injury, defeat, and illness. After losing to Joe Frasier in 1971, Ali had a choice. Let defeat define him or use it to fuel his greatness. He chose resilience, going on to beat Frasier in the next two fights. As Ali said, inside or outside of the ring, ain't nothing wrong with going down. It's staying down that's wrong. Alah Ali reminded us that quote, "Champions aren't made in the gym. Champions are made from something
007they have deep inside of them, a desire, a dream, a vision." They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. In the years ahead, there will be times when the world feels uncertain. When the plan you had doesn't go as expected. When the door you were sure would open stays closed in those moments. Remember this day. Remember these four years. You have already overcome setbacks, adapted to uncertainty. You've stood up for what matters to you. You've already proven you have what it takes. Today is a celebration, a chance to recognize all that you have accomplished, all that you have overcome. To be sitting in that seat you were in right now. Look around. Look at your classmates, your teachers, your families. These people have been part
008of your strength, part of your resilience. Lean on that. Then look forward to what lies ahead. No matter what comes next, you're ready. Not because life is perfect, but because you've learned how to grow through the imperfect. Before I close, I want to thank our families for their support and our dedicated AHS staff who work tirelessly and care tremendously for this graduating class. I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside of you this school year. Congratulations, class of 2025. I am so proud of you, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish in the future. Congratulations. At this time, I would like to introduce Aquinameck School District Board President, Mr. Richard Forston. [Applause] Members of the class of 2025, on behalf of myself and my fellow schoolboard members, let me say congratulations and well
009done. to the families, the parents, the brothers, the sisters, the grandparents, the aunts, the uncles, the cousins, the friends, and everyone else here today with a graduate on the floor. Let me say to you, congratulations and well done. And to the faculty, our staff, our administrators, and all of our school district family, let me say congratulations and well done. Now, it is customary at commencement proceedings for someone to take the stage and offer a few words of advice and encouragement to tell you to work hard and do good work, to always cherish your family and loved ones, to learn something new every day, and most importantly, to always take the high road. and you should do all these things. But today I want to do something a little different. Today I want to respond to
010a sentiment that I hear far too often and one that troubles me and should trouble all of you. I want to respond to the naysayers in the media and in the world at large who would try to persuade us that we live in dark times, difficult times, dangerous times. The world, these naysayers tell us, is going to hell in a hand basket. Our government is failing. Our politics are faltering. Our world is only getting worse. But I am here today to tell you that none of that is true. In fact, I am here today to tell you that we live in the greatest era ever of human history. Bar none. Not even close. Despite what the naysayers would tell you, the world is not going to hell in a hand basket. Rather, the world continues
011to get better every day. And you should be excited by that, and you should vow to do your part going forward to make it even better. But because you're young and skeptical, as you should be, let me see if I can't demonstrate to you why I am so confident that we do live in the greatest era of human history, and why things will only continue to get better. We live in the year 2025. But think about those who lived in the year 1900, the turn of the last century, just 125 years ago. At that time, the airplane had yet to be invented. Cars were expensive and scarce. There was no radio, no TV, no internet. There was no food and drug administration monitoring the safety of our food supply. Penicellin and antibiotics hadn't been discovered.
012Surgery was an iffy thing. Anesthesia was not very good, and doctors still understood very little about disease. And food choices were quite limited. In fact, all of us here today have a better, healthier, more varied diet than even the richest families at the turn of the last century. Today, in the Middletown, Odessa Town, Zandereia, we have more and better food options than the richest men and women of 1900. You can have steak, pork, chicken, fish. You have year-round access to fresh fruits and vegetables. You have Italian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mexican, Jamaican, and a host of other food options that would make you the envy or would have made you the envy of the Rockefellers, the Morgans, the Vanderbilts, the Carnegies, the Melons, and all of the other richest families at the turn
013of the last century. Oh, and by the way, if you don't feel like cooking tonight or going out, you can have the food delivered to your house by Door Dash. Now, some of you may be traveling this summer. Today, you can fly across the United States or to Europe or Asia or Africa or South America in a matter of hours. Trips that would have taken the wealthiest Americans weeks or months in 1900 and would have cost far more than they do today. The 40-hour work week didn't exist in 1900. In the 1800s, it was common to work 10 to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Organ transplants, hip and knee replacements, minimally invasive surgery, the eradication of smallpox, and the ability to treat many other diseases, medical advances have come incredibly far. We
014truly do live in the greatest era of human history. Here are some statistics for you. In 1900, the poverty rate in the United States was 56%. Today, it is 11.1%. Now, 11.1% still too high, and we need to do better. But the rate is the lowest it has ever been and far better than it was 125 years ago when more than half our country lived in poverty. In 1800, the life expectancy in the United States was 38.8 8 years. In 1900, that had increased to 47 years. Today, in 2025, life expectancy is 79.3 years. How many of you have the following things in your home? clothes washer, a clothes dryer, a dishwasher, refrigerator, electric or gas stove, microwave, radio, TV, home computer, vacuum cleaner, bathtub, shower, sinks with running water, electricity, working toilets, and safe
015drinking water. Many of the items on that list did not exist in 1900, and those that did were something that only the very rich might be able to afford. Today we take all of those things for granted. And what about our politics which are we are told are so poisonous. I will simply suggest to you that it has always ever been such nastiness in politics may be disappointing but it is hardly new. Now one thing which I have purposely not mentioned till now is is this right? The iPhone was only invented in 2007. Today, smartphones are everywhere, and these small devices do far more than the largest mainframe computers of the 1950s and60s. Today, with a smartphone, you can take pictures, get directions, pay for parking, order food, check the weather, and access the almost
016unlimited information on the internet. Oh, and there's this thing called Tik Tok and another called YouTube. And there's all sorts of social media. And if you need it, you can even talk to someone by dialing their phone number. It is an incredible tool and it wasn't even invented until 2007, right around the time that many of you were born. And nobody would have ever predicted that you could carry around such a powerful, flexible tool 40 or 50 years ago. And now I want you to think about what is going to be invented in the next five years, the next 25 years, and the next 50 years. And how these things are going to make our world even better? What further advances are going to happen in medicine? When will we send men and women to
017Mars? What further technological breakthroughs are going to happen that we can't even imagine today? We do live in the greatest era ever in human history. The highest standards of living, the longest life expecties, the highest rates of education, a tremendous abundance of technology and modern convenience that we all take for granted but were either expensive luxuries or didn't even exist just 50, 100, or 200 years ago. Class of 2025, congratulations. The world into which you graduate is the greatest in human history. You're going to be a part of it and it's only going to get better. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Forston. At this time, I would like to introduce our senior class adviser, Miss Alita Lee. [Applause] Good morning everyone. As our seniors sit before you, you have you may have noticed that many
018are adorned with various cords, stolen medals. At our senior awards ceremony this past week, our faculty awarded students with black cords to symbolize their commitment to achievement, honor, and service in the classroom. Our JOTC cadetses are wearing their white stools which are worn as an acknowledgement of the cadetses achievement in military science. Our Jaguar scholars are our students that are graduating with the top 25 grade point averages in the class. They are wearing medals and have the honor of being seated in the very first row this afternoon. Finally, the National Honor Society members are wearing gold stools that symbolize more than just good grades. These students successfully completed all the requirements of the National Honor Society, including 80 hours of community service over the past two years and maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or above.
019On page six of your program, we have the description of all the additional regala distinctions you will see here this afternoon. Apquinic High School is fortunate to be a part of a generous community that recognizes and supports the outstanding efforts of our students. We have a host of local organizations and businesses that were represented at our senior awards ceremony. Our local donors awarded our seniors with more than $60,000 in scholarships. The total amount of scholarship money, including local, state, and national donors awarded to our seniors, is a grand total of [Applause] 8,200,000. [Applause] Congratulations to our seniors for their many accomplishments. I'm very proud of all of [Applause] you. At this time, I would like to introduce Apoquinn High School's co-validictorian for 2025, Mr. Randon Votery. Randon is the son of Rodney and Maddie Rotary
020of Bear Delaware. Next year he will attend the University of Delaware and major major in psychology. [Applause] Good morning families and friends, devoted educators and counselors, our administrators and board, the staff and musicians who uplift this ceremony and the Apoquin High School class of 2025. I am beyond honored to be standing in front of you all today. Before I move forward, I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for always instilling in me the value of diligence, grace, and humility. My brother Ryan for inspiring me to move in uncertainty with conviction. And at the heart of it all, every hand that lifted us when we were too tired to reach higher. Every hug that held us together when we were unraveling. and every voice, whether here in this gymnasium or reaching us across miles,
021that reminded us we were more than what we feared we couldn't be. To the class of 2025, this moment belongs to all of us. We have made it here not by chance, but through dedication and discernment, heart and mind. Not only these four years, but the total arc of our educational journey has taught us the power of the mind to redirect prevailing winds from east to west, move mountains always standing but never permanent, and conceive light out of darkness and doubt. This year taught me the mind becomes limitless when it dares to dream beyond what the world has taught it to expect. We are no exception to the power of our own unique and determined minds that reeled in turbulent seas, became diamonds under pressure, and soared like shooting stars across the night sky against
022the face of adversity to get to this moment. I acknowledged that my journey was a quiet battle between mind and self. There were moments where I convinced myself I wasn't capable, that I wasn't smart enough, strong enough, not meant for certain spaces, not built for certain dreams. But facing these trials taught me to silence the doubt and cultivates affirmation within so it could shine outward, too. The mind is beautifully powerful, but it only becomes truly emancipated and unlimited when treated well. Only then can it break records and barriers. can send visions into orbit faster than the speed of light under unshakable stress. Spark in the silence, ignite a flame and become a star. And bring those dreams that we dared to dream from imagination to realization. It's this resilience born from belief that brought us
023here today, brilliant as stars. Stars that shone not only in our awards, games, and competitions, but also in the quiet victories. The hours spent building unseen skills, the relationships fortified and healed, the hope we dare to keep alive, and like stars we shine brightest amid the dark. We must not forget to appreciate how the trails we emlazen behind us can guide us toward tomorrow. And that our inner light comes from nurturing a mindset of hope and positivity as our thoughts have the potential to become reality. Therefore, it is not the sky nor space, but our minds that are our only limits. Know that you are capable of anything you set your heart and mind to, because you are destined for greatness, however you may define it. You are stars. At this final gathering, I wish
024to honor and congratulate you, not just for what you've achieved, but for the persistence it took to arrive here. You have carried your hopes through storms, late nights, and early mornings. Now this is your moment in the constellation. Shine without hesitation. Remember, we are not the sum of our accolades. We are the sum of our resilience, the quiet strength we built when no one was watching. Here and now at the beginning's end. Take in this commencement as a celebration of who you became and as a vision of who you are becoming. Let your light not wait for darkness to pass, but teach the world how to glow. And as always, go Jags. Well done. Thank you, Randon. At this time, the HS band and choir will perform our alma mater. You can find the lyrics
025on the last page of your program. [Music] side by side. Let your honor be exalted with the passion [Applause] of we will move on through you. As our cross from us to you and silver our hearts forever will be true. The place we spend the rest of the heart we sing your praise. [Music] [Applause] I have the pleasure of introducing our co- validictorian for the class of 2025, Sernia Pamela. Serni is the daughter of Sesh Pamela and Githa Vieira of Newark, Delaware. Next year she will attend University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. [Applause] Good morning and welcome educ educators, administrators, parents, students, and the APOquin class of 2025. Yes, we really are up this early. And to the teachers who made us pay attention at 8:30 a.m., it's only fair that you return the
026favor. Now, I know what you're all thinking. Wow, another validictorian speech. Is it too late to sneak out through the back doors? Don't worry. I'll make this worth it. Hopefully. I stand before you as one of your valadictorians for the apequinic class of 2025, which sounds quite eloquent, but really just means I mastered the art of procrastination with a smile. If there were a Netflix special called Cramming with Style, I'd be the host, director, and theme songwriter. High school was not a four season limited series. It was a streaming marathon filled with cliffhers, glow-ups, and deleted scenes. We started freshman year behind masks, hoping someone would tell us where the hallways or specific classrooms were located. Now we're seniors finding our voices, and sometimes still having trouble navigating the school. We've been plot twisted by
027AP exams, jump scared by pop quizzes, and moved to tears by friendships that grew in the strangest, most beautiful ways. And while we may not all be the main character, every one of us wrote our own unforgettable subplot in the story of this school. Before I go any further, I have to acknowledge and defer to a matter of significance. An inspiring educator once told me that the speeches that matter aren't the ones filled with perfect words, but the ones that share something real. So, here's something real to our teachers and coaches. Thank you. Your tenacity and ability to show up for us, even on days when life may have asked you to slow down, has shown me more about strength than any textbook could. All of you have played a pivotal role in shaping my
028academic journey as well as the lives of everyone gathered here today. This movie production would not have been possible without your efforts. I would like to personally recognize two impactful educators who played a pivotal role in my academic career these past two years. When reflecting upon my classroom journey at APO, I was quite surprised at what I discerned. Their respective courses were the ones that I often found myself pondering over the most to excel highly in, contemplating every meticulous detail regarding assignments and striving for perfection. These teachers held me to a high standard and as I head to a prestigious academic institution, I can confidently assert that their lessons, encouragement, and tough love will certainly benefit me as I continue my future endeavors. To Miss Taylor and Mrs. Mills, for every witty comment, important assignment,
029and the way you demanded more from us because you knew we had it in us, I could not express more sincere gratitude. If you could please make your way up to receive a small token of my immense appreciation along with a big dose of applause from a class that really does see you. [Applause] Let's skipped to a montage moment that we consistently saw throughout this motion picture. To every staff member, custodians, counselors, administrators, you were the quiet heroes. You held this place together. On behalf of us all, thank you. I wanted to come up with an analogy to describe this four-year experience. High school was like building an IKEA dresser, except we were never sure if we were using the right instructions or whether we had all the screws. There were times I thought, "This
030piece doesn't fit. Maybe I don't fit." But I kept building. And I had people who helped me hold the pieces together. Just a quick special shout out to my friends who walked beside me, laughed with me, stayed up late editing essays with me, and reminded me who I was when I forgot. You know who you are. I wouldn't have had this amazing senior year without you. We are a part of a class that lived through very unpredictable transition. Freshman year, tiny backpacks, big confusion. Sophomore year, learning the ropes and tripping over them. Junior year, fueled by ambition and maybe caffeine. Senior year, confident, unstoppable, and walking like we built the place. We survived fire drills in February, lockers that hated us, and hallway traffic jams that deserve their own traffic lights. And in that time,
031we became trailblazers. Some of us led clubs, captain teams, started businesses, made art, won awards, found our voices, or helped someone else find theirs. The world we're walking into isn't easy. It's messy. It's loud. And it's full of things we can't control. But here's what I've learned. Change doesn't always come in grand moments. It comes from a thousand subtle choices. Choosing kindness when it's easier to ignore. Choosing courage when it's easier to stay quiet. Choosing to show up even if you're tired, afraid, or unsure. You've already done that every single day here. That's how I know we're ready. Looking out into the crowd, I see people I've gone to school with since first grade. I also see people I met just this year who changed my life. I see people who taught me what leadership
032really means, not just in clubs, but in how we show up for one another. To my lovely and supportive peers, my dedicated and inspiring mentors, my courageous and enthusiastic sister, my amazing family and grandparents, and yes, my hardworking mom and dad, wherever you are in that crowd, thank you. Without your guidance and support and strength, I truly would not be standing up here today commended for my achievements. So, what do we do now? We've been through mass halls, spirit weeks, AP classes, club meetings, college decisions, heartbreaks, 2 a.m. Google Docs, and oh my gosh, I didn't study adrenaline. We've grown not in straight lines, but in unexpected directions. We've rewritten what success looks like together, and now we get to write the next chapter. Maybe it'll be a romcom. Maybe it's a thriller. Hopefully not
033a documentary about student loan debt. But whatever it is, I hope it's bold. And I hope it's yours. Because if high school taught us anything, it's that life doesn't hand out blueprints. We designed them ourselves. To the class of 2025, we were never meant to follow the rules. We were meant to rewrite them. Let's go build something incredible. This does feel like a mic drop moment, but these things are expensive, so I'm just going to leave it on the sand. So, as the credits are rolling, our story's only really just begun. Congratulations to the Apocate class of 2025. I'm truly elated to stand before you as your valadictorian because once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar. Thank you. [Applause] At this time, I would like to introduce our class president, Haley Whiting. Haley is the daughter
034of Thomas and Deborah Whiting of Middletown, Delaware. Haley will be attending Ferman University in South Carolina while she will be majoring in premed. She wants to become a pediatric oncologist. [Applause] Congratulations. Happy birthday. Okay, I'm going to try and get through this thing without crying, but we'll see how I do. All right. Good morning, friends, families, teachers, and most importantly, my fellow graduates of the class of 2025. Today, we stand on the edge of something truly remarkable. A threshold between what we once knew and what we're about to discover. And as I stand here today looking at all of you, I can't help but feel like we've prepared for this moment our entire lives. This journey has been a collection of fleeting moments and lasting impressions. Days when we felt unstoppable and did all of
035our missing work in the span of an hour and days when we didn't if know if we could get out of bed. But somehow in the middle of all of that, we made it here. And as I look around at all of you, each with your own stories, your own battles, your own futures, I realize how deeply intertwined our lives have become. Most of you I've gotten to see personally grow and change over the last 12 years. Whether it was Bella hiding in the Jag costume at pep rallies. Sorry, Bella. Jackpie riding around school in a golf cart even though he graduated I think two years ago. Um Sophie deciding to ask for random hugs in a hallway full of people she did not know. Or singing the entire Hamilton soundtrack in AP biology. I'm
036sorry, Miss Statsman, wherever you are. And all of us will remain intertwined as we move forward with our lives. We have shaped each other, taught each other worthwhile lessons, and made lasting friendships. And that's the beautiful thing about this journey is that none of us got here alone. To the parents sitting in front of us today, your love is a driving force in every one of our lives. You've walked every step of this journey with us, even when we were too caught up in our own worlds to notice, which as teenagers is more often than we would like to admit. You have been the ones pushing us to do better and achieve more in these last four years. To my own parents, you taught me that success is not always measured in applause or rewards,
037but in the quiet strength to keep going when no one is watching. Keep moving, don't stop, as my dad would say. You've taught me that even if I change my mind in life, success is never far from my reach. In fact, I've been able to see that hard work and dedication firsthand as my mom went back to get her master's degree while working full-time and supporting three kids. She now teaches here and although I'm a little bit biased, she's just as great of a teacher as she is a mother. And to all of us graduates, this moment is ours, yes, but it's also everyone who helped us become who we are today. So, let's take a moment to acknowledge the teachers who stayed late, who listened when we needed to talk, who believed in us
038when we didn't believe in ourselves, to friends who became family, the ones who we complained over AP tests with and begged our counselors for classes with. This is our collective victory. I would like to take a moment to specifically thank my teachers, Miss Michelle Datsman and Mr. Christopher Duval in the science department who helped me find my love for the field of science and inspired me to do better, ask more questions and achieve more, allowing me to truly find a deep connection not only in what they teach but within the people and the world around me as well. Mr. Thomas Baker, Mr. David Thomas, and Mr. Wesley Kendall from the social studies department who whether through humor or advice helped me learn so much about myself and the world around me. On days where I
039was anxious or burnt out, a small smile or a joke from them gave me the quiet strength to keep going. And finally to the wonderful man, mentor and teacher in and out of the classroom, Mr. Shank. I would also like to thank the entire Jurgen Wong family for their unwavering support and love along with the amazing custodial staff at APO. I've seen one too many cheeseburgers from lunch shoved into the bathroom toilets. Actually, there was a time where I found 25, believe it or not. Um, and while you could not pay me enough to do their job, they do it every single day with smiles on their faces. A special appreciation to Mr. Alex for always putting students first, providing us with laughs and advice while simultaneously teaching us about respect and [Applause] kindness. All
040of these people demonstrate a compassion for others that I'm truly so beyond blessed to witness and learn from. The biggest warmest thanks goes out to all of them. Now, as we move on to this next chapter, there will be no rubric on how to live our lives. There will be no easy way to navigate the vast, often confusing world that awaits. But if we've learned anything here, it's that we already have everything we need to face it. The world doesn't need us to be perfect. It doesn't need us to have it all figured out. It needs us to be real. It needs us to show up with our flaws, our doubts, our struggles. It needs us to speak with our whole hearts, to listen with open ears, and to encourage empathy and bravery in others.
041This moment is not an end, but a beginning. The world may be waiting for us, but it's also asking us to shape, to challenge the narrative. Our stories have just started, and the best chapters are yet to be written. To my fellow graduates, this is our time. Let's go into the world and be the best versions of ourselves. [Applause] On behalf of the senior class, we would like to present Miss Lee, our senior class advisor, with a gift to thank you for all of your planning, all of your support. I mean, this woman did everything. She is I don't know how she does all the stuff she does. It's amazing. Um, so thank you so much for putting up with us this senior year. [Applause] All right. Thank you very much. [Applause] Thank you, Haley.
042Will the class of 2025 please [Applause] stand with the power vested in me by the Apoquinn School District Board of Education through the Delaware State Board of Education. I present to you for graduation these members president of Apoquinn High School's class of 2025. Mr. Shatley, student government adviser, will now announce the names of each graduating senior present today. I I can't see. Can you I need to see who's good. Yeah, perfect. All right, we start off with the top 25. Shinthia [Applause] Pamulati, Randon Votery, Navia Anum Manzla, [Applause] Heresh [Applause] Balagi, Usair [Applause] Bashar, Garrett Jonathan [Applause] Bourriger, Riley [Applause] Busby, Maggie [Applause] Dong, Holly Anna Fenton, Sydney Gerlac, [Applause] Neil Capadia, [Applause] Logan [Applause] Ley, Maxwell [Applause] Manraken, Indira [Applause] Manraken, Aya Macathn, [Applause] Matthew [Applause] McMahon, Michael Montto, David Olado, [Applause] Ryder Ortiz,
043[Applause] Vienna Pascarelloo, [Applause] Briana Marie Saxton, [Applause] Rohan [Applause] [Music] Shirum, Aut [Applause] Shriram, James Hunter, Trroski, Sumeda, Vankadara, Next we have the school of agriculture and natural resources. This is the animal science and management pathway. Brennan Aberry, Sierra Banner, Chase Joseph Conway, Sahara Irwin Jackson, Idris Gaines, Elijah Gibson, Madison Paige, Haley, Jackson Lee, [Applause] Lasage, Sarah Elizabeth [Applause] McCormack, Matteline Metton, Huda Ross, Isabella an Saketa, [Applause] Benjamin Andrew Shearer, Jayla Marie Starky, Anelise Jamaiah Torres. This is the plant science pathway. Da Lin Marie Ellis, Alana Yanicheski, Shauna Jud, the School of Business and Economics, Junior Achievement, Entrepreneurship, Business and Leadership Pathway, Amy Grace Abad, Anuapo Akiloton, Taran Albbright, Wajita Farono Zasadi, Nyla Bostic, Berryman, Maximus Reese Britz, Cameron Brown, Devon Buson, Nolan Thomas Cahill, Denise Castillo Morales, [Applause] Darius Robert Chieves, Logan Dallas, Elelliana
044Marie, Alyssa Danalow, Andy [Applause] Ding, Allesandro Donvito, [Applause] Giana Grace Folky, Brandon Guilford, Kaden Harvey Brown, Brooke Katherine Higgins, Christopher Richard James, Haley Madison Johnson, behind A Jones, Mai Lamont [Music] Jones, Aush Schlad, Kyle Joseph Landon, Jalil Lane, Isabella Maldonado, Isaiah Miller, Kevin Novakovic, [Applause] Rabbino Jahim Pottinger, Quinn [Music] Prinsky, Drew Jatine Ravvel, Jordan Aaron Redden, Christina J. Sanders, Henna Sha, Colton Shank, Carl [Music] [Applause] Subchinski, Jace [Applause] Thompson, Christian James Towns, [Applause] Cesar Joshua Zabayro. This is the school of culinary arts and hospitality. the culinary and hospitality management pathway. Lauraai Alexander, Hannah Bacon, Jayla Burton, David Anthony Zach, Owen Davis, Eliza De Jesus, Ben Doro, Chamira Edwards, Chambers, Eric John Evering, Garrett Mitchell Groves, Gier Wardo, David Gillian, Riley Heath, Elizabeth Anne Hal, Audrey May Johnson, Rodney Johnson, Colin Anthony [Applause] Kaiser, Miriam Isabella
045Kogan, Ashley Magdaleno, Tibersio, Dy Endor, Logan Pototts, Andrew Oul Shuitt, [Applause] Devin Skinner, Leila Leighton, Grace Smith, Cole Temple, Giana Relle White, Ryan Zebi, this is the School of Education and Human Studies, the Early Childhood Teacher Academy Pathway. Aubrey Anne Ferris. This is the K to2 teacher pathway. Mia Grace Boyd, Cara Leighton, Jessup, Reginald [Applause] Lee, Molly Lynn Montgomery, Joshua Chase Simpson, Lana Clara Tuvel, Olivia Zizac. This is the school of health sciences the allied health pathway. Faith Agorino, Kira May Alman, Daniela Aia, Archetta Bajage, Juliana Caroline Benner, Ashley Renee Bitler, [Applause] Gabrielle Deja, Rita Bod, Ryan Elizabeth Boyd, Emerson Paige Brooks, Chase McKenzie Brown, Destiny Sai Kain, Kylie Nicole Campos, Monica [Music] Castanos, Veronica Kavazos, Katiana Charles, [Applause] Connor Clay [Applause] Courtourtney, Brianna Marcella Quero, Logan Serwinsky, Maruda Famata, Don, Zanab Jeneru, Katie Donovan,
046Aubrey Ammit, Abigail Cameron Falcon, Lauren Jane Folultz, Payton Harter, [Applause] Justin Jones, Kylie Janelle Leeman, Faith Isatu Mani Simona Paige McDow Leah Monttos McKenna Dorothy Moore Hank Mauy Sai Natis [Applause] Natividad Logan Jacob Namich Dena Endor Ramir Ray Odum Antoine Hvery Osborne Jr. Anie fan, Stefan Ratavanovich, [Applause] Addison Renaons, Dominique Leani Rogers, Isabella Marie Ron Kyolo, Anas Sidi, Brooke McCoy, Schlaper, Ella Bin Schlay, Jay Demani Shelley, Maria Sorbo, Sophia Nicole Stout, Isabella Lynn Thomas, Kyla Abigail Thorp, Elena Paige Washburn, [Applause] Taylor Williams [Applause] Riley Zerzolo the school of language literature and human development. This is the advanced placement pathway. Hannah Sandra Suhooini Abuakari Lucas J. Davidson, Noah V. This is the humanities pathway. Bengali billet Duran Catlet John K. Gather Corva Diamond Harper Jr. London Holland, Lydia Eileene Huff, Cyra Khan, Reese Murray, Gary Leavonne,
047Newbie III, Angelina Louise, Nigro, Ola, Susanna Alubali, Kendel Penny Adella Petrova Jaden Michael Shineold Sydney L Stra Julie Vihad World Language and International Studies Pathway Haley Allen William Estrada Jayla Deliss Johnson, Anna Alina Kazminski, Juan Felipe Martinez, Jessica Carakar. This the school of military and civic leadership, the criminal justice and legal issues pathway. Marco Thomas Amatusio Leilani Bakus Zyra Dior Bowman, Chloe Phoenix Foster, Pira Gunla, Kennedy Olivia Harding, Leila Naomi John Paul, Katie Scarlet McCabe, Jacob Julian Nelson, Victoria Victoria Parish, Malave Peewee, Carla Pinto, Abby Josephine Rosalie [Applause] Pisano, Rana V. Pa Para Anetta Sesnowskis, Kelsey Fuku, Naza Wade, Nvea Zavala. It's the jobs for Delaware graduates pathway. Azar Ali Mario Anticona Joshua Bourbick Andre Male Boyd Jr. Jasier Cook, Elijah Garcia Gutierrez, Desan Alexander Norbeck, Nazir Queen, Malik Andre Williams. This the junior reserve
048officer training corps pathway. Natalie Bone, Sebastian Dilla, Elliot Scott Miller, Blake William Morowski, Isaac Favor Quay, Hasham Sadik, Leon San, Abraham J. Sando, Taj Thomas, Hrix, William Wells, Echen Woo, it's the Life Center Career Education Pathway, Xavon Tyler Andrews, Aaron Christopher Brown, Nicole Brookke Franic, This the school of performing and design arts the digital communications technology pathway. Presley Carrick Terren Floyd Jr. Eric Forac Genevieve May Brower Fresh Matthew Isaiah Garcia Richard Leon Hall Jr. Brian Anthony Mcichael Tyler Rachio Quentyn McCuel Stubs [Applause] It's the music pathway. Wyatt Christopher Morris, theater arts pathway. Ireland. Roberta Hunts. Gabrielle Sky John's Ricky Elise Mariah [Applause] Rice. It's the visual arts pathway. Sydney Carmela Amibable Charlie Kate Bacon Eden Paige Bennett Annayiah Sophia Bent [Applause] AA Jaden Mai Kofield Viv Michelle Gulpira Devin John Hardy [Applause] Catherine R. [Music]
049Kirkley, Jasmine Quamore Lewis, Phoenix Martin, Steven Pierce, Maya Chenet [Applause] Roland, Charles Tornetta, [Applause] Kaisha Jama Watson. [Applause] This is the school of science, technology, engineering, and math. The computer science pathway. Ryan Achong, Julian Preston Anders, Vicram Badal, Mallerie Anne Creveling, Rohan Davu, Ty Duffy, Dominic Iagu, Mason Lee Fritz, Michael Tyler Gains, [Applause] Brandon Mudga, Prenel, Maji, Carlos Pinto, Ja Sando, Manir Singh, Joshua Daniel Smith, William Thomas Stewart III, [Music] [Applause] Mark Tosen, Declan Vire, This is the engineering pathway, Jimmy David Alvarez, Gonzalez, Daniel [Applause] Apia, Flavio Espeta, [Applause] Sahasra Chandolu, Emma Louise Sapola, Colin Kreling, Brandon Culver, Kaden Steven Curley, Cole DeWalt Curley, Jaden Andrew Curran, Patrick Dcanio, Ethan Day, [Applause] Anthony Joseph Dockerty, Alexander Kaden, Eperly. Congratulations, Davin Etienne. Nicholas Fusky, [Applause] Kyle Guestner, Dylan Marcel Griffith Charles David Hackett Jr. Aaron Hall,
050Daniel Edward Harvey, Andrew William Hogland, Noah Andrew [Music] Hoff, Gavin Stone John's, Cameron Maurice Johnson, Ivan Lee, Nathaniel James Lebrano, William Lupennic, Briana Desiree Manis, Christopher Joseph Marinucci, Matthew Joseph Mazonei, Jordan Mills, Chloe Drew Payne, Reginald Everett Perry Jr. Levi Pope Jr. Roy Charles Puri, Ryan Matthew Rubin, Dominico Keano Lomello, Austin Sherman, Sedarth Shake, Mark Edward Smith, Zier Stokes, [Applause] Sean Joseph Strazinski, Edward Lee Stranahan, Jack Christopher Thally, Melvin Shibosu, Jacob Walder. This is the forensics pathway. Jessica Chung, Leila Chassidy Cooper, Adriana Gafolo, Giana Norris, Stephanie Pognan, Madison [Music] Roino, Abriana Lorraine [Applause] Smith, Lillian Ian Nicole Sparks, Sierra Marie Waters, Miranda Wazinski, Jacob Michael Yard, Science Pathway, Omar Santos, Benashore, Ricky [Music] Dupri, Amiia Celeste Perez, Frago, Sindara Quayabi, Skyler Pearson, Cade Roberts, Haley [Music] Whiting, Sophie Jurgen, and the School of Skilled and
051Technical Trades, the Construction Machinery Operator Pathway, Omari Koffield. Anthony Gabriel de la Cruz Perez, Gordon Lindamood IVth, Paul Marley, Juliana Lane Miller, Jacob Warren [Applause] Muntz, and Chad Michael Thornton. [Applause] All right. Break through. I now present to you and congratulate the 15th graduating class of Aquinic High School, the class of 2025. [Applause] Class of 2025, it is my pleasure as your principal to lead you in the first official AHS alumni act. The turning of the tassel from right to left symbolizes your transition from students to graduates and the new beginnings you will encounter. Class of 2025, please stand. Please move your tassels from the right side to the left. Congratulation graduates. [Applause] Thank you all for being here today. We're at Pakuname High School added 360 alumni with the class of 2025. At this
052time, we ask that all guests please remain at their seats while the graduates process out of the gym. graduates will not return to the gymnasium. You will meet the graduates outside in the parking lot. Thank you and have a great rest of the day. Congratulations. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] This is now. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Congratulations. You're playing [Music] [Applause] that. All right, guys. Um, so [Music]