001Hey, hey, hey. [Music] congratulations and dream big. Greetings [Music] Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Good afternoon. Welcome to the 101st commencement of Columbia High School. My name is Brian Reeves and I'm the principal of Columbia High School. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise. Remain standing for the presentation of colors presented by our Air Force Junior ROC and remain standing for the singing of the national anthem performed by Noah Parker. Oh, say can you see by the dawn early light what so proudly We held at the twilight last gleaming who's brought stripes and bright
002stars through the perilous fight. For the ramparts we watched were so gallently streaming and the rockets red glare. The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled ber yet [Music] wave or the land of the [Music] free and the home of the brave. [Applause] Thank you. You may take a seat. Thank you, Noah, very much. I feel extremely lucky to have the great weather we have. I know it's a little warm. It pales in comparison to last year's warmth. This is an important milestone for our graduating class of 2025 and for the families, friends, and loved ones who are watching today, both in person online, to share in this momentous occasion. As principal of Columbia High School, I would like to thank
003the graduates for the fond memories they provided our school and our community over the years. I congratulate you on your success today. I want to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors as you leave our nest to begin your journey into adulthood and make your mark on the world. To begin, I'd like to recognize our top 10 graduates who are distinguished by their white stoalls. However, due to a tie this year, we have a top 11. And in alphabetical order, please stand while I read your name. The top 10 of the class of 2025 in alphabetical order. Elelliana [Music] Ames, Logan [Applause] Bosch, Addison Butler, Brick [Applause] Curtis, Joshua Drooie, Paige Freeze, Logan Han, Jack Reider, Emily Rose, Jaden Smith, and L. Van [Applause] Bruzigan. For this graduation ceremony, we will have
004three speeches by some students. Our first speech tonight will be given by the senior class president, Ava Denison. Ava, please come to the stage. Good afternoon, fellow graduates, families, alumni, and friends. My name is Ava Dennison, and I have had the privilege of being the class president for the past four years. Wow, look at us. We made it. Four years of early mornings, crammed notebooks, awkward dances, and endless questions like, "What comes next?" We've grown together, not just in age, but in strength and lessons, and even through failures. We've listened to Mr. Gagan's terrible song playlist every Friday. We've all been hungry while passing Mrs. Stanfield's classroom knowing she has something good cooking in there. And we've debated with Mr. Sandstöm on topics that are essential to the futures we are carving out as young
005adults. And maybe school wasn't always easy. Maybe you woke up some mornings wishing you could stay home forever. But you came. You showed up. And showing up is sometimes braver than winning. And now we're standing at the edge of the next. Some people call this an ending, but this this is just our beginning. A messy, thrilling, wide open beginning. You don't need to have a perfect plan. You just need to keep going. Even when it gets messy, especially when it gets messy. When I was younger, my parents always told me, "You can do hard things. You can do hard things. You can do hard things. I didn't always understand why they would say it three times in three different ways. But now I get it. We as a class did the hard things together and
006it got us through high school. Every single one of us wearing a grad cap and gown today earned this accomplishment. Be proud of yourself. reflect back on this moment knowing your hard work paid off. So fellow Eagles, let's leave here today with gratitude, with courage, and with the knowledge that no matter where our lives take us, we carry memories that we've made at Colombia High School through the way. Thank you. [Applause] This year we're recognizing co- validictorians. Our first validictorian speech will be given by Addison Butler. Addison, please come to the stage. [Applause] Welcome. I would just like to thank all of our parents, friends, and teachers that got us here today, especially my own. A lot can happen in four years. We grew up together. We learned together. We struggled together. And we laugh
007together. Now at 18, I stand up here pretending I'm wise and knowledgeable. However, the only thing I am certain of is that we have so much more to learn and experience. As some of you know, I struggled to make a college decision until the last minute. Like literally the last minute. I kept waiting for a sign that would point me to the perfect school. However, I learned that the perfect college probably doesn't exist, which was a hard concept for me because I prefer things to be clear-cut and well, perfect. I'm kind of a perfectionist, which is part of the reason why I'm up here today. Throughout this process, I learned that we are in charge of the choices we make and the people we become. While there are usually unknowns to every choice we make,
008the right choice will always be our choice. Look at us. We have each made different choices as to where we go from here. Different colleges, different majors, different trades, different places of work, and different branches of the military. We might become famous influencers, world travelers, inventors, mothers, fathers, doctors, or CEOs. But today, we are all graduates of Colombia High School. After all we've endured and experienced together during our four years at CHS, I'm positive no amount of time will change the special place that Colombia has in our hearts. Whether it was homecoming week and winning the spirit stick senior year or watching football and basketball games on Friday nights or having classes and teachers that impacted us, we will always have these memories to keep. I'm so thankful to be a part of the class
009of 2025. We had the most senior athletes, band members, and NHS members. Our class truly left a positive impact on CHS and we will be a class to remember because we chose to work hard and show up each day. Each choice we continue to make about our future is the right choice for each one of us. Starting today, we have the choice to create our own life. Our actions will determine our future. No one else can determine our worth, success, or ability in our next chapter. Only we can choose to work hard, to persevere through the hard times, and to show up with a positive attitude every day. We get to choose the people we befriend, the people we love, and the opportunities we harness. If you have the mindset that you are in control,
010even though your life may feel totally out of control at times, as we leave the safety of Columbia High School, you will succeed. You will forever be your greatest critic, but also your greatest cheerleader. Who you choose to be is your most powerful choice. Choose to be bold. Choose to be brave. Choose to be strong. And choose to be kind. We choose our own paths. We choose our own destinies. And always remember, once an eagle, always an eagle. Congratulations, class of 2025. We did [Applause] it. Our final speech will be given by Paige Freeze, our our co- validictorialian validictorian of the class of 2025. Paige, please come to the [Applause] stage. Good afternoon, everyone. Have you ever failed to seize opportunities because you feared failure? Or what about wishing you could go back and appreciate
011those moments you took for granted? In my time here at CHS, I have learned two big lessons. First, struggle and failure are opportunities to grow. And second, invest in every moment. As many of you know, I play softball. A lesson I have learned throughout all my years of softball is that it is a game where failure is inevitable. And even when you are down, you need to keep your head up. This also applies to life. Struggle is a part of life and it's not about what the struggle is, it's how you react to it. And just like Rafiki says in the Lion King, you can either run from it or learn from it. How many of us struggled taking our first highstakes test in high school? Well, I did. Anybody who took AP Chem with
012me would know. But ultimately, we all persevered. When I took that test, I could have given up, but I didn't. I kept my head up and studied so I could pass. Now, there will always be moments where we have felt like we have failed, but failure is just an opportunity to grow. You have to be greater than what you have failed. Now, we've all wished for this day for so long, and now that it's here, we're wishing it wasn't. There's a version of you in the future begging for you to enjoy these days because they're gone so quickly. Enjoy what you have now because it can be gone in an instant. What makes life valuable is that you decide how it goes. And it today it's easy to be grateful for life, but there are
013going to be days where you feel like a failure. But when you fail, it is pertinent to realize that you have a choice. You can either let that affect you or realize it is a detour toward success. Even if it doesn't go your way, remember to make memories from that. Don't forget to invest in every moment and make the most out of what you have. So whether you've had the worst four years or the best four years here at CHS, just know this is a part of your journey and it is a growing point to who you were meant to be. That you don't have the power to choose where you come from or what you have failed, but what you choose to make it. And just like Natasha Bettingfield says, as you are staring
014at this blank page before you, just know the rest of your story is still unwritten. Thank you. I don't know how you have your hat on. At the conclusion of each school year, the faculty and staff at Columbia High School nominate and select one graduating senior for the outstanding senior award. This student is selected based on their academic achievement, but more importantly by the content of their character, strong work ethic, and overall dedication to the total school program. This student epitomizes our core values of integrity, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, and kindness. This year's recipient of the outstanding senior award, would they please come to the stage as selected by our faculty, Addison Butler. [Applause] And now for the moment we've all been waiting for, the presentation of diplomas to the class of 2025. Counselors, would you
015go ahead and get the first group going? signal. Logan Warren [Applause] Oavdo, Kate Susan Adams, [Applause] Quinton Matias [Applause] Alman, Elelliana Morgan [Applause] Ames, Anthony Nicholas Antonus, Samantha K. Augustine Camden Michael [Applause] Axe Cash Rison Bailey [Applause] Matthew Bradley [Applause] Barau, Jessica Diane [Applause] Beerley, Jade Marie Becker, [Applause] Liam Michael [Applause] Bivvens, Brooke Cherith Bolson, Megan Lee Balliard, Sullivan Jason Bernaldi, [Applause] Logan Michael [Applause] Bosch, Megan Lynn [Applause] Bowler, Landon Jeffrey Brooker, [Applause] Hudson Welsh [Applause] Bryant, Addison Lynn [Applause] Butler, Anthony Joseph Ko Jr. [Applause] Carson James [Applause] Campbell, Amamira Jasmine [Applause] Campos, Luisani Cababa Cabayan, [Applause] Lauren Reese [Applause] Castelli, Lucy Rose Castelli, [Applause] Daniel Alexander [Applause] Chile, Julia Leah Chen, Summer Elizabeth [Applause] Clancy, Kale Joseph Clark, Andrew James Collier, [Applause] Paige Elizabeth [Applause] Cruz, Brick Joseph Curtis, Tyler Anthony Darnell, [Applause] Caitlyn
016Christine Dardy, Lucas Scott Degrroot, Ava Lorraine Dennis, [Applause] Addison Christine [Applause] Dquazy, Allison McKenzie [Applause] Dively, Kenzie Sha Dixs, [Applause] Samuel William [Applause] Donald, Joshua Richard [Applause] Drooie, Liliana, An [Applause] emmes, Keith Michael Elder, Drew Richard Elliot, Carson Michael [Applause] Etheton, Braden Nathan Philippia, Dalton Douglas Fitzgerald, [Applause] Delaney Louise [Applause] Fitzgerald Lincoln Stone Forign Quinton Joseph Frenzil [Applause] Paige Nicole [Applause] Fes, Ella Marie [Applause] Frming, Jack William Fring, [Applause] Cole Christopher Gilleski, [Applause] Sylvia Nicole Gardner, [Applause] Kaden Edward [Applause] Glover, Connor Michael [Applause] Glover, Luke Daniel Goodman, Christopher James [Applause] Grant, Carter Patrick Gropy, [Applause] Jacob Daniel Hall, [Applause] Shawn Michael Haltman, Summer Magnolia [Applause] Harrington, Logan Christopher Horn, [Applause] Brooke Lynn Marie [Applause] Hayes, Cameron Leanne uh Helfridge Brady Cole Heminghouse, [Applause] Logan Ryan Hicks, [Applause] Jordan McKenzie Holton, Ava Eileen [Applause] Herdlicker, Hayden
017James [Applause] Hubard, Braden William Hubler, [Applause] Bailey Anne Hunt, Gabriel Austin [Applause] James, Micah Luke James, [Applause] Cameron Luke Janick Reese May [Applause] Gerard Anderson Lee Judy [Applause] Carson Caleb Klash, Braden Wayne [Applause] Keys, Grace Elizabeth Klene, [Applause] Ava Rose Langands, [Applause] Lucy Anne Lysu, [Applause] Braden Robert Lis, [Applause] Carter Benjamin Lynch, [Applause] Ava Rose Mazadonsski, [Applause] Riley Anna Matthews, [Music] Joseph James [Applause] Matlock, Mia Lynn [Applause] McCanni, Micah Austin Minhardt, [Applause] Allison Summer, [Applause] Misy, Sadi an [Applause] Mets, Clintuel Moyer, [Applause] Kennedy O'Connell [Applause] Miller, Meredith Grace Mistler, [Applause] Lucille Diana Anna Moore, Max Daniel [Applause] Narzinski, Gabrielle Marie [Applause] Novak, Xander Lewis, William [Applause] now, Kayn Blair O'Brien, [Applause] Payton Alice [Applause] Oglesby, Noah Robert Parker, [Applause] Ryan Sergey Perry, Gabriel Brennan Perry, Aaron Edward P Callie Paige Patnney, [Applause] Joshua Steven Prost,
018[Applause] Noah Christopher Proctor, Congratulations Marley Louise Poulture, Addison Lane Quante, Harley Jean Rainbolt, Joanna Nicole [Music] Remy, Jason Allen Ramirez [Applause] II, River Steven Randall, [Applause] Isabella Marie Reandazo, Joel Spencer Reed, Nathan Parker Ry, [Applause] Grant Michael Rece, [Applause] Jack Robert Reus, [Applause] Olivia Lee [Applause] Royce, Sophia Ia Maria [Applause] Rodri Samuel Steven [Applause] Radel Maya Rose Rogers Riker Jack Murphy Reutder Emily Elaine Rose, Mia Katherine [Applause] Sackman, Addison Joyce Sanker, Ava Rose [Applause] Schmidt, Samantha K. [Applause] Schmuki, Jack Christopher Shainac, Ellie Grace Shrub, Jeremy Michael Schwab, Dayton Richard Shrieve, Dylan Kenneth Sabbert, Carly Rose Simon, McKenzie Nicole Slusser, Jaden Kain Smith, [Applause] Bin Sophia Snider, Isabella Dian an Snyder, [Applause] Joshua David Stagner, Charlie Francis Steckler, [Applause] Dalon Andrew Stevens, [Applause] Jonah Michael [Applause] Stogsdale, Kayla May [Applause] Stumpf, Haley Marie Suri, [Applause] Allison
019Nicole Tutrin [Applause] James Glennon Thibo Jr. [Applause] Hayden K. Ty Haley Alicia Thomas, Lauren Ashley [Applause] Thorne, Sarah Rose Tutor, [Applause] L. Judith Van Bruigan, [Applause] Hayes Renee Van Bruigan, [Applause] Mason Lewis Vegley, [Applause] James Dylan Wiser, [Applause] Joseph James [Applause] Weiser, Reese Abigail Wolfful, [Applause] Emily June Clemens, Zola. [Applause] Just a couple quick reminders for the seniors. Remember to go over the concession stand to pick up your packet. At this time, I present to you the Columbia High School graduating class of 2025. Thank you for joining us [Applause] [Music] today. I look forward to seeing all the great things class 25 will accomplish. Thank [Music] you. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music]
020Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]