BY KARISSA MILLER
The Class of 2025 at the Agriculture and Science Early College marched in to Pomp and Circumstance from behind a lush backdrop of trees that overlooked a creek and waterfall at Buck Shoals Cabins in Hamptonville on Friday.
Once the 57 graduates in attendance were seated, senior Maicie Earnest sang the National Anthem.
Principal Todd Russo welcomed guests and congratulated the graduates.
“You made the decision to take on a program that asked you to do more and you didn’t back down,” he said.
Russo told grads not to settle and to be intentional with their decisions and actions.
“You are sitting here in your cap and gown, graduating from an honors-level early college program, already holding college credits and certifications in your hands,” he said. “That’s not just success …that’s earned success. So don’t lose sight of what it took to get here.”
Next, Russo introduced the honor graduates Ashlyn Gilbert, Haley Rodriguez, Anabelle McDaniel, Arthur Vadrine, Julia Hollar and Christopher Puckett.
“I want to thank you all for our time here together. I have cherished every second, and I wish each and every one of you the very best in the future, for the best is yet to come,” Gilbert told her fellow grads.
Rodriguez offered some advice to her classmates.
“Like the waterfall behind us, we’re meant to keep flowing, even when the path gets rough. Stay strong, but don’t forget to stay kind. Because how we move forward matters just as much as where we end up,” she said.
McDaniel encouraged grads to be present.
“Regardless of whether you have the next five years planned out or the next couple of months, one thing I have come to learn is that you have time,” she said. “You can spend the entirety of your life planning every piece of it out but how are you going to live if you are too busy planning out how?”
Hollar shared some advice.
“We do not need to know what is coming next; we are in control of what happens right now …Get excited for the opportunity that is ‘today,’ and be proud of how you have persevered,” Hollar said.
According to school counselor Clif Price, this year is the largest graduating class in ASEC history. Some of the students completed the program in four years instead of five. The Class of 2025 has earned nearly $3.1 million in scholarships.
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