With the start of the new month, June brings the graduation of the beloved Class of 2025.
The ceremony, held at Family Arena on June 1, began with the national anthem, performed by the LHS choir, followed by the first of many speeches. Principal Dr. Ed Nelson delivered a speech that gave recognition to the staff and the senior class sponsor, Sarah Feddersen.
“Class of 2025, you have been inspiring. Your generosity and selflessness when helping others is second to none,” Nelson said. “You collected clothes, children’s items, and money for those in need. Many times, for someone in our own Liberty family. You will undoubtedly make an impact on our world and we are very thankful to have been a part of your high school experience. You will truly be missed.”
Chamber Choir then sang “The Road Home”, accompanied by a speech from Superintendent Bryan Bishop. During the school year, the senior class got to choose a teacher to give a speech and this year they chose theatre teacher Melissa Gehrke. In her speech, Gehrke gave advice and even mentioned how she spoke at her own high school graduation.
“This moment, this graduation, it is theatrical, and it can never be replicated,” Gehrke said. “You, the graduates, you are our cast, you are the story we are here to see. The people in the stands are your audience. This show would not be the same with anybody else filling these seats. Just like all great shows, you hope to walk away with meaning with something that sticks with you and something that shifts your perspective and makes you think. Just remember you are loved, you are appreciated and you have a story to tell so make it a good one.”
As for the student speaker, Raksha Thiagarajan stepped into that role. When her speech ended, the Liberty band performed “Jovian Farewell”, and afterwards, Nelson asked for those who have served in the United States military to stand as everyone clapped in gratefulness for their service to our country.
With Nelson still at the podium, he gave recognition for the awards students had worked years to get. Then he told the audience that the Class of 2025 was able to raise more than $10.5 million in scholarships. After all of the speeches, a student-favorite teacher, Daniel Wheeler, walked up to the podium and the first few rows of students began to walk up to the stage. Wheeler then read off the names, starting A and working all the way through Z. The students walked across, shook hands with different members of the Board of Education, shook hands and got a photo with Nelson, and exited the stage to get a photo at the photo station.
After all of the names were called, Senior Class President, Ryleigh McKinney, and Vice President, Lucy Bowen, were welcomed on the stage. They congratulated the class and told them to flip their tassel from the right to the left, and after a quick applause, they all throw their hats into the air.
However, due to some students still at the photo station, they missed the collective hat toss, so Nelson walked back up to the podium and asked if everyone could find their hats. Once every student was fully back into their seats, they announced that everybody could throw their hats once again. And finally after all of this, the graduates were dismissed and led to the outside parking lot where they would later meet up with the friends and family that came to support them in their long journey.
