Racine, Ohio: May 18, 2025, Southern Local held its Baccalaureate and Commencement Exercise celebrating the forty-nine graduates of the Class of 2025. The exercise went as follows:
Students promptly entered the gymnasium at 5pm to the playing of Pomp and Circumstance (by E. Elgar) by Southern High School Band being Directed By Mr. Chad Dodson.
Marlo Norris then gave the following welcome remarks: “Good Evening Everyone. My name is Marlo Norris, and I’m honored to welcome you all to the graduation ceremony for the Southern High School Class of 2025! Tonight, we celebrate more than just the end of high school- we celebrate the friendships we’ve made, the lessons we’ve learned, and the strength we’ve gained along the way. To our teachers, families, and friends- thank you for your constant support and encouragement. We couldn't have done it without you. To my fellow graduates: this is not just a finish line– it's a starting point. Our journey is only just beginning, and I can't wait to see where each of us goes from here. Congratulations, Class of 2025- we made it!”
Isabella Harmon then gave the invocation: “Good evening, everyone.
At this time, I ask that you please stand as we begin with a word of prayer. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, We thank you for bringing us to this day—a day filled with celebration, pride, and hope. As we gather here to honor the Class of 2025, we recognize the journey that has brought us here: the hard work, late nights, lessons learned, and friendships made. We are grateful for the teachers and mentors who have guided us, the families who have supported us, and the friends who have stood by us through it all. Today marks both an ending and a beginning. As we step forward into the next chapter of our lives, we ask for your continued guidance. Grant us courage to face the unknown, strength to persevere through challenges, and wisdom to make choices that lead to growth, kindness, and purpose. Help us to carry the values we’ve learned here with us—integrity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference. Bless this ceremony, bless each graduate here today, and bless the future we are walking into with hope. In Your name we pray, Amen.”
Carson Reuter then led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time the events speakers (Katie Brooker and Audrianna Herrera) shared their reflections and look into the future: (Katie Brooker) “Good evening, everyone—family, friends, teachers, and most importantly, my fellow graduates: It’s an incredible honor to stand here today, and as I look out at all of you, a thousand moments rush back to me at once—each one a reminder of just how fast time has moved. They say “time flies,” and tonight, those words feel more real than ever. It’s not just about how quickly the years pass—it’s about how quietly it happens. One ordinary day after another. One assignment, one conversation, one memory at a time. Until all of a sudden, you're at the end of something you thought would last forever. Looking back now, it’s strange how the moments that seemed small and routine are the ones we remember most. Those moments, those details—they’re the heart of our memories. Looking back isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about recognition. It’s about acknowledging where we started and how far we’ve come. And I think that’s what makes time so powerful. Not just that it moves quickly, but that it changes us along the way. We are not the same people who walked into this school years ago. We’ve seen things, experienced things, learned things—about the world, about others, and about ourselves. That growth is invisible to the eye, but undeniable in the heart. And yes, the clock keeps ticking and always will. We’ll look back on this moment too, as it will someday become an event talked about while reminiscing about the best times of our lives. To my fellow graduates: it’s hard to put into words just how much we’ve been through together. We’ve grown alongside one another—not just learning from lessons in the classroom, but from the everyday moments we shared. And through it all, we were witnesses to each other’s growth, and that connection is something time will never take from us. No matter where life takes us next, this chapter—this time we’ve shared—will always be a part of who we are. And one day, when we look back, I hope we’ll remember not just how quickly time flew, but how deeply it mattered. Congratulations, Class of 2025—our time is just beginning! We’ve spent time tonight remembering where we started, the moments we’ve shared, and how much we’ve grown. But now, it’s time to turn the focus to what comes next. It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Miss Audrianna Herrera, with whom I wouldn't be able to stand up here today!”
And
(Audrianna Herrera) “The future. Two simple words that carry a lot of unknowns. And if we’re being honest, that can be a little overwhelming. It has been so easy over the past 4 years to fall into the same routines. The truth is, though, there’s no set schedule anymore. No bell to tell us when to switch classes or reminders to submit that paper we may or may not have started. Instead, we’re stepping into something bigger. Something less predictable—but also filled with opportunity. Some of us have plans already in place. College, jobs, training programs. Some of us are still figuring things out. And that’s okay. The future doesn’t come with instructions. It’s something we all build as we go, piece by piece, day by day. The important thing is that we move forward. That we keep asking questions, trying new things, and staying open to what might come next—even if it’s not what we expected. We must not get stuck in the past, but instead appreciate it and use it to keep going. We won’t be in the same hallways anymore. We won’t see each other every day. Life will get busy. But even as we go our separate ways, we carry a part of this time—and each other—with us. What we’ve been through together matters. It’s shaped us, and it’s given us a starting point we can trust. We’ve built our lives around each other, which is part of why this change is so scary. We don’t need to know exactly where we’re headed. We just need to know how to keep going. And we do. It is such an honor to be up here today, and even more of an honor to be speaking alongside the person who got me through high school, Miss Katie Brooker . So here’s to the future—not because we know what it looks like, but because we’re ready to find out.Congratulations, Class of 2025. We made it. And now, we begin.”
The following students were then recognized for the following:
Members of Southern High School’s National Honor Society: Katie Brooker, Ava Circle, Xander Fisher, Audrianna Herrera, Beverly Lisle, Carson Reuter, Timberlyn Templeton, and Brennen Wyatt.
Receiving and Honors Diploma: Katie Brooker, Xander Fisher, Audrianna Herrera, Carson Reuter, Timberlyn Templeton, Gryphon Thomas, and Hayden Turner.
Graduating with the Distinction of Merit: Allyson Anderson, Christopher Haye, Madelyn Houghton, Kieran Johnson, Khloe Jones, Ian Klein, Isabella Klein, Brandon Laudermilt, Daniel Marr, Cali O’Brien, Madalynn Parsons, Corey Seth, Emily Shockey, Alexys Stewart, andHannah Turley.
Graduating with the Distinction of Magna Cum Laude: Ava Circle, Xander Fisher, Isabella Harmon, Beverly Lisle, Marlo Norris, Carson Reuter, Timberlyn Templeton, Gryphon Thomas, Hayden Turner, and Brennen Wyatt.
Graduating with the Distinction of Summa Cum Laude: Katie Brooker and Audrianna Herrera.
Superintendent, Mr Tony Deem then acknowledged and thanked the parents and family members, Southern Local Staff, and Board members for their dedication to helping the students reach their current success.
Board President, Mrs. Brenda Johnson, accompanied by Mr. Deem handed out diplomas as High School Principal, Mr. Daniel Otto, announced the students' names.
Class of 2025 President, Beverly Lisle then led the class in Changing of the Tassel Followed by the Class of 2025 leading those in attendance in the signing of Southen’s Alma mater.
Ava Circle then gave the Benediction: “Good evening, everyone. I want to thank everyone who joined us today. Your love, support, and encouragement have helped carry us to this moment, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. To our parents and families—thank you. Your love, patience, and belief in us has been our foundation. You’ve cheered us on through every success and lifted us through every setback. Today, we stand here because of your unwavering support. And to the Class of 2025—congratulations. We’ve worked hard, overcome challenges, and grown in ways we never imagined. Today is the celebration of that effort, perseverance, and that promise of what lies ahead. With that being said if you would please bow your heads and let us pray…
Dear Heavenly Father, As we close this special chapter, we pause to thank You God for the journey that has brought us to this moment. For the lessons learned, the friendships formed, and the growth experienced, we give You all the glory. We are grateful for every parent, teacher, mentor, and friend who has walked beside us along the way. As we step into new chapters, we ask for Your guidance. Light our paths with wisdom, fill our hearts with compassion, and give us the courage to make a difference in the world. May we always remember where we came from, and may our success be used to bring hope, kindness, and love to others. Bless each graduate here today with purpose and peace, and may Your presence go before us in all that we do. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.”
The exercise ended with the Graduating Class of 2025 marching out to Southern High School's Band playing the Recessional (J. Ployhar) under Mr. Chad Dodson's direction.
Congratulations to all graduates and their families!
