North Decatur High School graduates 63
The program began with the band playing Pomp and Circumstance followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
Principal Nicholas Messer then offered opening remarks, noting this year marks the 57th time NDHS has hosted a commencement ceremony. He then recognized members of the staff and school board, and shared some stats about the NDHS Class of 2025.
Messer pointed out that 92% of the graduating class had taken at least one dual credit course, 40% earned an Academic Honors Diploma, 15% earned a Technical Honors Diploma, one senior earned an Associate's Degree, and 35% of the graduating class had already completed one year of college.
'All of these accolades add up to scholarships totaling $1,835,899,' he said.
He also talked about successes associated with extracurricular activities including a boys basketball sectional championship, girls cross country and both boys and girls golf conference championships, and a state title win by the Academic Interdisciplinary team.
After offering six points of advice, Messer asked the students what they planned to do to change or enhance the direction of their lives.
'Whatever those choices you make are, have a positive attitude, make memories, know your intellectual worth, learn things, and now your self worth,' Messer said.
Class president Cooper Parmer then recognized his fellow classmates. That was followed by the presentation of the Salutatorian Award to Breanna McBride, who recounted some of her high school experiences and offered her peers a few words of advice.
'There is no doubt in my mind that we can all handle the challenges of what's ahead of us as we head out into the real world,' she said. 'Just remember to ... keep setting goals for yourself.'
The presentation of the Valedictorian Award to Cooper Parmer was the next order of business.
He likened life to participation in a sporting event and recapped several of the NDHS Class of 2025's accomplishments. He thanked teachers for their patience, guidance and eagerness to see their students learn. He also thanked his classmates for their friendship and shared experiences, and his parents and other family members for their love and support over the years.
Parmer closed by saying, 'Through all the wins and losses, the pressure and the unknowns, one thing that has always kept me grounded is my faith in God. ... In times of doubt or stress, I found peace in knowing that God was in control. As we head into the next chapter of our lives, I hope we all remember that with God we are never alone. So, here's what I'll leave you with – you don't have to run the perfect offense. You don't have to score every time. But, you do have to play. With courage. With heart. With everything you've got. Because your clock is ticking, so make it count and make it matter.'
In addition to Parmer (president), the NDHS Class of '25 officers were McBride (vice president), Allison Whitaker (secretary), Kayden Scudder (treasurer) and Marshall Snell (historian).
The class song was Good Old Days by Macklemore, and the class motto was, 'Smarter, stronger, slightly sleep deprived.'
Breanna Morris and Molly Martin were the senior class sponsors.
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