Approximately 160 students from the Cambridge High School (CHS) Class of 2025 celebrated their accomplishments and achievements and were recognized at the 153rd Cambridge High School Commencement on Saturday evening.
Madison Peters makes remarks during the Cambridge High School Commencement Ceremony. Three students who ranked number one in the class of 2025 addressed their classmates and audience members with profound messages.
Anastasia Bergeson talked about things lost and gained, acknowledging that losses are important and should be grieved, but that gains should be celebrated.
“We are people who have gained and have so much more left to gain,” Bergeson said quoting Romans 8:37. “We’ve all gained something of an education for one thing. We’ve gained experience. We’ve gained a better understanding of ourselves. Most importantly, we have gained by way of relationships.”
Bergeson concluded her remarks by saying, “We are not meant to live life alone. Thank goodness there are so many people on this earth to love and be loved by, to help and be helped by,” Bergeson continued. “There will be losses, but there will also be so much more to gain!”
Kennedy Ellis took time to talk about “the journey we, the class of 2025, is about to embark on.
“There are many more chapters to our stories, and I am glad that we have shared this one together, but it’s time to say goodbye to the past and hello to new beginnings,” Ellis continued. “Some of us will keep in contact, and others we will never see again. Yet, no matter where our destinies lead, we will always carry pieces derived from these experiences and accomplishments.”
Ellis concluded her remarks by drawing on the words of a favorite artist, “Inspired by the words of the amazing Freddie Mercury, we’ve had our time, and we’ve had our power, now go achieve your finest hour!”
The third speaker, Madison Peters, thanked the “amazing” people, many of them teachers, who “created the person standing before you today.”
Peters talked about being an inspired member of the Book Bandits, a group with a motto “steal time to read,” and a promise “to never stop finding beauty in the world around me.”
Peters also talked about the definition of the word “success,” and shared that “life is not something we can surmise in a concise definition.”
She concluded her remarks with sage advice to her classmates, “Never let someone make you feel that you are not pretty enough, smart enough, athletic enough, or capable enough; you are enough.
“Find something worthy of passion and strive for happiness in your work,” Peters continued. “Only then will success finally find a suitable definition and life a fitting shape.”
Students proceed into the the Cambridge High School Commencement on Saturday evening at McFarland Stadium. Also at the ceremony, CHS Dean of Students Sean Byerly recognized 37 students earning Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude distinctions, 25 graduates who earned honors diplomas, and four students, Bergeson, Isabella Bertubin, Peters, and Ellis, who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average and are ranked number one in the class.
Byerly also recognized three graduates who intend to enter a branch of the U.S. Military and the veterans and current military members in the audience.
Byerly also recognized 20 senior members of the National Honor Society, 17 scholar athletes, 37 seniors who pursed vocational education at the Mid-East Career and Technology Centers.
Also recognized were approximately 45 members of the Class of 2025 that indicated they plan to continue their education in the form of college. He noted that many have already begun their college careers by taking advantage of the College Credit Plus program.
These students have earned nearly 345 semester hours of college credit during their high school careers at a savings of nearly $250,000 to their families.
Assistant Principal Jeff Wheeler provided an explanation of the pageantry designed to honor their accomplishments and mark the significant milestone in the lives of the graduates.
“The pageantry isn't just for show; it's a way to embrace this moment with the respect, dignity, and joy it deserves,” Wheeler shared. “It's a visual representation of your collective achievement and the bright futures that lie ahead.”
The CHS band under the direction of Zachary Q. Krnach and symphonic chorale led by Aaron Todd, also participated in the ceremony. Board members, David Evancho, David Peoples, Dave Gray, Ron Miller, and Steve Taylor presented diplomas.
Principal Bob Baier, who welcomed everyone to the ceremony, closed the ceremony by presenting the Class of 2025 and leading the throwing of the graduation caps.
“Class of 2025, it is with great pleasure that I herby declare and proclaim you to be graduates of Cambridge High School,” Baier said. “Family, friends, faculty and members of the Board of Education, it is my pleasure to present the Class of 2025.”
The members of the Cambridge High School Class of 2025 toss their graduation caps into the air to celebrate their graduation.