001Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Heat up here. [Applause] Heat up here. Heat up here. [Music] Good morning. I'm Amy Pope, principal of Brassa's Success Academy, and I'd like to welcome you to Brass Success Academyy's class of 2025 commencement ceremony. [Applause] Thank you for joining us as we honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2025. Today is a significant milestone in the lives of our graduates, and we're grateful to have you here to share in this proud moment. Before we begin, we kindly ask for your attention to a few important reminders that will help ensure respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone. Please silence or turn off all cell phones and electronic devices to prevent any interruptions during the program. We ask that you remain seated throughout the ceremony, especially during the calling
002of names and presentation. Many families are here today to hear their graduates name called. Let's honor that by keeping the environment as quiet and peaceful as possible. This ceremony is being videot taped by many families. It's also being live streamed and each graduate is being professionally photographed at their as they receive their recognition. So there's no need to rush forward for pictures. If you must leave your seat, please do so discreetly and during a natural break in the program. Your cooperation ensures that every student is celebrated with the dignity and recognition they deserve. Thank you once again for being here to support the class of 2025. Let's make this a day to remember. [Applause] Please stand and remove your hat as Alaso Agular delivers the invitation. [Music] Good morning everybody. I just first of all
003I just want to thank how many friends for being with you and uh can we get a round of applause for class of 2025? [Applause] [Music] Thank you Father God for today. Thank you Father God for nothing better. Lord, you blessed us here again for us being here. The things we've learned, the things we learn went through. This is all the trials and tribulations. It is for a purpose. Proverbs 3 5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. and in all your ways acknowledge it and he will make you pass your I pray for ones who weren't here physically but they will always be here spiritually. Lord, you show us what things are achievable with your help. People can change their lives. It's a good outcome. Thank
004you father god for another day in Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thank you, Alonso. Would everyone please remain standing and remove your hats while Kimberly Pena leads us in the pledges and a moment of silence followed by the playing of the national anthem, Kimberly Pena. 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. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge algiance to the Texas. One state one indivisible. Now for moment of silence. Thank you. Please remain standing in playing. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Please be seated everyone. I would like to introduce our distinguished guests who are sitting behind me. We'll start with Mr. Mason Howard, school board president. Mr. Scott Turner,
005board vice [Applause] president. Mr. Jerry Atkins, board secretary. Mr. Joe Reinhardt, assistant secretary. Mr. Mr. Chris Dunn, board member, Miss Whitear, board member, and Mr. Candace Shelby, board member, and Mr. Danny Massie, our superintendent of schools. Miss Ludy Canino, chief financial officer. Mr. J, superintendent, Mr. Ron Redmond, assistant superintendent of the mind table. Also to our fantastic, fabulous staff, our Bradley Success Academy administration, staff and faculty, Miss Joey Bryson, [Applause] counselor, Mrs. Gina Bishop, Miss Kristen Brown, Miss Ela Charles, Miss Katie, Miss Edwards, Miss Carol Edwards, Mr. Justin Henry, Miss Gernandez, Mr. Jaclyn Jeff, Mr. Robert Heather May, our nurse Laura Nichols, Mr. Miy, Mr. John Thomas, our security specialist, Mike Kern, and our officer, Kirsten [Applause] Fernandez. At this time, I'd like to invite Dr. Tori Amson, director of dual enrollment enrollment achievement from
006Brassport College to present the Catalyst Ignite Scholarship. Morning everyone. The Catholics Ignite program at Brazesport College offers debtfree education to students in studying in one of 10 high wage high demand career pathways. The scholarship covers all tuition fees, books, and supplies for a student to earn their basic certificate and get an entry level position in their pathway of choice. This year's recipient will be studying instrumentation technology. We are so honored to welcome Annie Castanada to the [Applause] Thank you Brad Port College for supporting our students. We really appreciate it and are very proud of Eddie. Next we'll have Miss April Fall from True to Life Ministries Youth and Young Adult Specialist. She will present the level up summer intern scholarship. Good morning. My name is April from True Life Ministries in downtown Jackson. True Life
007is committed to supporting and helping members of our community, both adults and students, move toward living wage employment and long-term stability by cultivating hope and developing a network of support. Each year, I have the privilege of stepping off BSA's campus to meet with graduating seniors, partnering with them to map out their exciting next steps after high school. Together, we delve into one of my most pivotal questions. What happens now? For some, the path is clear. For many, it's still unfolding. And that's an exciting and beautiful part of the journey. We work side by side to create a tangible plan, empowering them to move forward with purpose and avoid being stuck at this crucial crossroad. Every year, I'm honored to invite a handful of graduates into our level up summer internship program. This is an 8week
008paid internship that is intensive, intentional, and life-changing. The first four weeks focus on job readiness, life skills, and career exploration through local business and community resource visits and guest speakers. In the final four weeks, interns are carefully matched in job shopping roles with local employers, gaining hands-on experience and real-time feedback in their individual fields of interest. Additionally, interns receive mentorship and one-on-one support to prepare for what happens next, whether that's college, a certification program, or entering the workforce. Our goal is to set these young adults on the track with clearly defined steps toward long-term success. Thank you BSA and PD for allowing myself and True Life to come alongside these future world changers to mobilize, motivate, and cheer them on as they continue to rise to life's challenges. Today, I'd like to recognize and congratulate
009five 2025 BSE graduates that were selected to be a part of this life-changing summer education. As I call your name, please come accept your certificate. and that I love because as one of last year's participants eloquently said, "We're about to shove your future in your face." Carol [Applause] again. Another one. and this fall and True Life Ministries. We are so blessed to have Miss April as the students call her at our school and and she is such a blessing and so is True to Life Ministries. So, thank you all so much. And also unfortunately one of our uh presenters couldn't come today but I feel like the student deserves to be recognized. She was recognized at a banquet that I want to call her name as well here today that we are also lucky enough
010to have rise for Rotary Club very involved in BISD and Miss Kimberly Pena who will stand up. She received a scholarship as well from Rasport Rotary. Congratulations to all the students who were recognized. We know y'all will do great things. At this time, we're honored to welcome a few the remarkable members of the class of 2025 to the stage. Each of these student speakers represent the heart of Braz. They're resilient. They're determined and full of hope for the future. They will share their personal journeys, experiences, and reflections on what this moment and what BSA means to them. Please join me in welcoming our student speakers as they share their voices and stories, those stories of perseverance, growth, and the strength it takes to rise, adapt, and succeed. First, we have Carolinda Esta. [Applause] In 2024,
011my senior year, I had just gotten back into town. My old school was a place I knew I couldn't come back to. I wasn't told to get your GED, but now I knew since 13 I would receive, but I remember hearing good things about BSA since I was in transfer over BD school. I went through the process of calling the superintendent to get approval to transfer. I got a meeting to advocate why BSA was the school for me. I applied, had my meeting with BSA staff, and attended classes the next day. I saw the difference quickly from smaller classes to one-on-one attention from teachers and way less high school problems. I loved it. I finished credit after credit and it was clear this is where I was succeed. teachers became like family to me. And
012then when life begins to lie, as Miss Bubble said, the next year I began having no inspiration to finish classes. Scared nobody would listen, I tried to keep it all inside. One day, I had a meeting to discuss my absence, and I just broke down being so tired of finding the home. This school showed up when I was ready to give up my dreams. I'll never forget how they sparked the light and motivation pack inside of me. Mr. Hernandez, Miss Bryson, Miss Pope never judge my struggles. M Brown, Miss Edelman, Miss Bishop, and Miss Charles Kelly from getting distracted in class. I was introduced to Miss April, who helped me to get an ID, open a bank account, and gave me advice to get back on my feet. Once I'm a faculty chap, I finished
013my credits about two weeks later. Now, I've been offered an internship from true to life, and I'm working on living my dream of becoming a CEO. This journey has opened my eyes that through life, you have to sell the course, even through a storm. My advice to you is to It is never too late to achieve your dreams. Remember, life is not a race, so just go at your own pace. I am proud that I'm proud that the class of 2025 has done signing now. [Applause] Thank you. Next, I am honored to introduce Carson Evans. [Applause] I don't know if I can top that. I'll try. And I did write this word for word, but it's not memorized in my head yet. So, give me some leeway. Usually, graduation speeches are given by validictorians. Unfortunately,
014I'm nowhere close. I'm graduating with an average GPA and more agent days than present days. I never thought I could even make it here at all. If I did not come to BSA, I would not have graduated high school. I would not have a diploma. I would not have the freedom of opportunity I have now. Before I enrolled here, I went to be and not to talk down wood, but I hated my time here. I would skip multiple days a week and when I would go to school, I would come hours late. I couldn't find the purpose of waking up waking up before the sun was even up to receive an education I didn't find value. Towards the end of my sophomore year at Eaglewood, I was put on an attendance contract, meaning if I
015was late for accident without a valid excuse again, the school would take legal action. I had heard about the safety of friends and teachers and figured I had nothing to lose since my grades and attendance were already terrible. This was a last resort for me, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. School felt like a roadblock, just something in the way of me and my freedom. I still don't think the average person needs to know calculus or what year George Washington died. But regardless, it's hard to do much in America without a law. PSA is less of a roadblock and more of a speed bump. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you know everyone here wants you to get there. Majority of children in America from
016the age of 5 to 18 are required to fit in a box. The worth is a number on screen and a letter on a paper. PSA felt different. The small campus, the smaller student body, the less fear about academics in general, as well as the culture here made it feel less like a prison. My apologies, and more like a family. When I went to when I went to be wood, the only reason I would see administration and counselors was because I had stepped outside the box, outside the expectations and demands of a school. At PSA's at BSA, counselors, principles, and even the ISD superintendent will greet you at the door and treat you like a friend and not just a statistic. I have sort of an authority problem. If there are someone in charge, I
017question your credibility and intentions immediately. But Miss Bryson, Miss Pope, Mr. mandates and all of my teachers showed me that they had genuine intentions. Whether you're fighting a case, expecting a child, or just don't fit in the box of traditional school, here are treated like an equal and a human being. I remember rolling dice with a few of my friends in the hallway during lunch and I guess Miss Bryce heard the teenage boys, the sound of teenage boys doing something they were supposed to be doing and walked over to us. Instead of raising her voice for a lecture or going straight to punishment, she just looked at us. The look of genuine disappointment on her face taught me more than any punishment would have. Taught me that people here genuinely cared about me. I wasn't
018just a kid in a seat making the money. I was a person that cared about and wanted to succeed. Although I can although I continue to struggle to understand traditional expectations of public education in America, I agree with BSA. I don't like it because I graduated early and it's nice to go at your own pace, but that's not the reason either. I like it because the culture and the people. I like it because I didn't dread walking into school at 8:00 in the morning anymore. I like it because they meet you where you are and help you get where they know you can be. I wouldn't say me or the mo I wouldn't say me or most of the students here are the finest or anything but we are treated with real respect like actual
019people not looked down upon or dismissed. We became a family. Thank you. Thank you. Lastly, I'd like to call Mory Fuller to please to the stage. [Applause] Good morning everybody. You know, usually they say best, but I don't know if I can be good anymore. Um, well, I'd like to start off by saying thank you to all the people who have brought me here today. Today is an amazing day. I'm able to stand up here and present this speech to y'all this morning due to the wonderful people I had in my life. If it wasn't for people like my family, Miss Bryson, Miss Hester, and so on and so forth. I don't know where I'd be like. Not only were they there in good times, the laughter, the happiness, and the joy, they were also
020there for me in bad times. Some would say the biggest adversities I've had in my life, like my addiction, getting through high school, and any personal issues I've had throughout these four years. Getting through my addiction wasn't easy to say the least, but it was definitely made possible through friends, family, hard work, and dedication. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst. This disease is cunning, baffling, just possible to overcome, and I can say that wholeheartedly as I proudly so. Now, getting through high school, that's a different story. It doesn't matter who is in here pushing you to finish. At the end of the day, it is all up to you whether you graduate or not. So to all the graduates here today, go ahead and give yourself back. Y'all made this possible today. Thank
021you. Thank you, Carolinda Carson, and Rory. Take your seats to your friends. Well, after listening to those speeches, I'm torn between bursting with pride and wishing I'd ask one of y'all to write my speech. So, note to self, never follow a group of smart future world changers. Today we gather not just to celebrate a graduation but to honor resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that second chances matter. Graduates, your journey to this stage may have taken a different path than others. But that path is no less worthy, no less powerful, and no less meaningful. In fact, it may have prepares you better than most, for life, for challenges, and for the road ahead. Each of you has a unique story. Stories of hard work, late nights, personal struggles, and victories, both big and small. Many
022of you faced circumstances that made the road to graduation more difficult. Some of you had to balance school with jobs, family responsibilities, or personal hardships. And yet, you never stopped striving for this achievement. Where it might have been easier to stop, you rose. And in that rising, you became something more. I want you to take a moment and really let that sink in. Because no one ends up at Braz Success Academy by accident. You're here because life tested you. You faced obstacles, some obscene, some silent. You had days that started heavy and ended heavier. You carried burdens that no one else could fully understand. And still, you showed up. You stayed in the fight. I remember seeing many of you come through our doors unsure. Unsure of yourselves, unsure whether you'd make it. And I
023watched you change. Not overnight, not without struggle, but over time, little by little, you started to believe in yourselves. You leaned into your own potential. Much like the mythical phoenix, the BSA mascot, you walk through the flames of adversity, not to be consumed, but to be renewed. At Braz Success Academy, the phoenix isn't just a logo on a wall or a name on a banner. It's a reflection of who you are and what you've become. Time and time again, you've risen from setbacks, from challenges, from circumstances that tried to hold you down. You got up. You asked for help when it was hard to ask for it. You tried again when giving up seemed easier. You did the work emotionally, mentally, academically, and it shows. And like the phoenix, you didn't just survive, you transformed.
024You emerge stronger, brighter, and ready to soar. This diploma you're receiving is not just a piece of paper. It's living proof. Proof that when life tried to write a different ending for you, you rewrote the story. It's a symbol of grit, courage, and the refusal to be defined by where you started. And for those of us who've had the privilege of witnessing your growth, your teachers, staff, your families, we feel it in our bones. This is not the end. This is the spark. So, as you step forward into this world, whether it's into college, career, service, or personal goals, carry this truth with you. You've already done something extraordinary. You adapted. You overcame. You succeeded. Remember, you're not defined by the ashes of your past. You're defined by how you rise through. So, rise boldly,
025rise with purpose, and never forget you already carry the fire inside you. You've shown us what resilience looks like. Now go out and show the world. We are proud of you beyond words, beyond measure. Now go out and set the world blaze with hope, with courage, with unstoppable determination. Congratulations, class of 2025. Now for the important part. I would like to continue this morning with certification of candidates for graduation. Brazesport Independent School District Board of Trustees. Mr. Massie, as principal of Braza Success Academy, I hereby certify to you that these candid candidates have met all the requirements for participation in this graduation ceremony as established by the state of Texas and the Brazesport Independent School District. As for the school district board of trustees, as superintendent of schools, I hereby certify to you that these
026candidates have met all the graduation requirements for participation in this graduation ceremony as established by the state of Texas and the grass to independent school district. Let's walk. [Applause] Ariana [Applause] Miss Golina. [Applause] Carolina Jeremy Al [Applause] Jonah, we love you. That's a sweet girl right there. [Applause] You're not [Applause] Avery, Brazil, [Applause] Tia Reno, Zachary Broadway, [Applause] Ty Brown. [Applause] I'm going [Applause] [Music] to Eddie, [Applause] Macy Davenport, [Music] K. Dixon, [Music] Sena, [Applause] Mason E. [Applause] Brooklyn Ford, [Applause] Sebastian Ortberry. [Applause] A [Applause] Rory [Applause] Bonita Garcia. [Applause] Rafael Cast [Applause] Josiah Easy. [Applause] Let's go, baby. My glory. I am alive. Come on. Paris Q, Abraham, [Applause] Eli, Kas. [Applause] This is a pile. [Applause] [Music] Just Luis Lopez. [Applause] Daisy Levelvel, Kelsey Malone, [Applause] Angelina Marine, [Applause] Ariel Martinez, letter Matthew
027[Applause] All right, Ariel. [Applause] Jasmine, [Applause] [Music] Aubrey, J. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Diego Carson. [Applause] Great job. Love you. Love you. [Music] Randy, [Applause] [Music] Jazz, Kimberly Pink, [Applause] S [Applause] po Isabella Price [Applause] Nathan Bruit, [Applause] Jeremy Win Ariel, [Applause] Aliyah [Applause] Keon Ra Addison Rio. [Applause] Ross, [Applause] [Music] Daniel Salsa [Applause] [Music] Ray standard. [Applause] Juliet and Shepard, [Applause] [Music] Carla Sarah [Applause] Sophia, [Applause] Gage Simpson. [Applause] Sean, the Canyon St. Madison St. Lauren Stevenson. [Applause] Malia Stewart, [Applause] AA [Applause] [Music] Timber on the ground, Christian Van. [Music] Baby, a queen. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Baby, [Music] [Applause] Heat up here. of the name for us. Before we bring this ceremony to a close, I want to take just a moment to speak to you not as your principal, but as someone
028who witnessed your strength, your resilience, and your incredible growth. Each of you arrived at Ride High with your own story. Some stories were heavy, some unfinished, and some uncertain. But today, each of you leaves you with a new chapter. One that you wrote with determination, courage, and refusal to let anything stand in your way. I remember the debates. Oh, yes. The passionate arguments about why you should be on the 22 credit plan and instead of the 26. The silent treatment I would receive for months because I refused your request and made you complete the 26 credits. the dramatic size when I mentioned Saturday school, the creative excuses for missing target days. But even through all that, you kept showing up. You kept trying. And honestly, that kind of persistent mixed with the just right out
029of attitude, it's impressive. And it deserves more than applause. It deserves a standing ovation and maybe a nap. For me, at least, you earned it. You've shown us what it means to rise after falling. To believe in yourself when the road ahead wasn't easy. You didn't give up. And because of that, you're here. As you step forward into the world, carry with you the lessons you've learned. Not just in the classroom, but in life. Remember that every setback is a setup for a comeback. And when life gets tough, and it will, you already know how to rise. The world needs your voices, your stories, and your strength. Don't be afraid to dream big, to take risks, and to lead with compassion. Class of 2025, you're ready. We're incredibly proud of you. And if anyone asks
030you how you're supposed to rise, you can tell them that it starts as a thought. From that thought we plan, from that plan, we live to fulfill. Let's rise, BSA. Heat up here. [Applause] I have to say a special thank you to the BIC custodial staff safety and security team, our ladies in the back running the program, running our beautiful slideshow, to my staff, to my office professional. Thank you for the preparations for this moment celebration this morning. Thank each of you for joining us this morning for the 2025 successive head commencement event. Please assist me in our effort to complete our celebration by behaving and remaining in your seats until our graduating class of 2025 completes their recessional enters. Thank you. Bye-bye. [Applause] Congratulations. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat up here. Heat up here. Heat.
031Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Did you really just try to screw the lid inside?