DCHS says goodbye to Class of 2025
The graduating class is 360 students.
Some graduated early, so about 340 students were ready to walk the line in their red caps and gowns Wednesday at Reid Stadium.
Graduate Ariadne Malave, who is heading to the University of Kentucky in the fall to study business and Spanish, said her time as a DCHS Panther was special.
'It has been great,' Malave said. 'I love all of my friends, the experience has been amazing, and educationally of course, successful.'
When asked about her favorite memory from DCHS, Malave said during Wednesday's commencement practice in the school stadium, 'I'd say this moment right now. It's very nice to see all the group of friends, and everyone excited to graduate.
'I've done several theater musicals throughout high school, and just rehearsing for them is a great journey to go through as a theater kid.'
Malave credited the school's choir director Jacob Hein as being a strong source of support.
'He's the one who basically introduced me to musical theater at Daviess County,' she said. 'He has supported me in extracurriculars in school, for applications for scholarships, recommendation letters. In both sides of the scope, he has always been there.'
Malave said of graduation, 'I think everyone is not trying to get it over with, because the nostalgia is hitting right now more than ever. The last few days I've been feeling the so-called 'senioritis' more than during my entire senior year, but now that we're here, it's like, 'OK, we did it.' Now, I can relax and soak it all in, as much as I can.'
Madalyn Brown, the class' honor graduate, was involved in a variety of activities at DCHS, including tennis, Race Red, the student academic team and being president of the National Honor Society.
When asked about her favorite memory of high school, Brown said the school's sense of family was an important part of life at DCHS.
'I think honestly, the sense of community here has been a big memory for me — just meeting so many friends and being able to say 'good morning' and 'hi' to so many people, and making those connections.'
Brown, who is heading to Murray State University to study English, said of graduation day: 'It is really sad. I feel like I'm a pretty sensitive and emotional person, so this has been really big for me. But, it's also really sweet, and I'm really excited.'
Principal Jeff Wethington, who is finishing his first year at principal at DCHS, said graduation day was an emotional day for him.
'It's going to be emotional when I give a speech, just talking about how proud I am of all the students,' Wethington said. 'Watching them throughout the year, being a cheerleader, being a fan, getting to seem them perform or compete in what they are passionate about, and then being able to send them off like this, it's really nice. It's definitely a privilege.'
Wethington said, 'It's bittersweet, because you're happy for them, because they are so excited. But we can't hold them back from what they need to be doing next.'
The graduating class had a lot to celebrate in terms of achievement.
Wethington said, 'I think we've got close to $6.2 million in scholarships from this group. There are some super high achievers. But there are so many great kids.'
'A lot of these kids I knew from middle school,' Wethington said. 'I'm just so proud of them. I'm proud of them and I'm proud for them.'
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