130 Get Diplomas as Part of LHS Class of 2025
-
The La Grange High School graduates throw their caps in the sky at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony Thursday. Photo by Andy Behlen -
The Class of 2025 lost one of their classmates last summer, Arie Stewart. An empty chair draped in a cap and gown was set up in her memory on the field during the ceremony.
One hundred and thirty La Grange High School graduates walked across the stage at Leopard Stadium to receive their diplomas Thursday night, May 22.
The class walked out onto their field amid cheers from a packed stadium, just as the sun was setting.
It should have been 131. Tragically, the Class of 2025 lost one of their classmates last summer, Arie Stewart. An empty chair draped in a cap and gown was set up in her memory on the field during the ceremony.
Graduating senior Camden Coltrain delivered the opening remarks.
“We built something unbreakable – a family,” Coltrain said during his speech.
Classmate Julie Vasquez led the crowd in the pledges to the flags and the school song.
Salutatorian Autumn Wolf delivered a welcoming message.
“We all have different destinies,” Wolf said. “Each of our lives has the possibility of greatness.”
Following the recognitions of the Honor Grads, Valedictorian Riley Lowe delivered a speech. In it, she likened the high school experience to philosopher Albert Camus’ work “The Myth of Sysiphus,” named after the legendary Greek figure condemned by the gods to push a boulder up a hill, only to be crushed by it and forced to start over.
“Look at the chaos around you and smile … we are so lucky to be alive, so go live,” she said.
High School Principal John Pineda then took the stage. Turning to the Board of Trustees seated to his right, he announced that the students before them had satisfied all educational and citizenship requirements set forth by the Texas Education Agency and La Grange Independent School District.
One by one, the graduates walked up the stage to receive their diplomas. Family members cheered and honked horns as each name was called. One of the students completed a perfect backflip after receiving his diploma, which earned a round of applause from the audience members who saw it.
Quinlyn Landis, one of a set up triplets who graduated this year, delivered the closing remarks.
“We’re not the same individuals who started this journey,” he said. “We’re stronger.”
The Class of 2025 then gathered at midfield to throw their caps into the air. And off they went to begin their life’s journey.