The small but mighty Groton High School Class of 2025

Accompanied by the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) band, the GHS Class of 2025 marched its way through the gymnasium to a balloon-laden stage, with many balloons bearing the Groton Red Hawks logo — a source of pride for this class, as they are the first to graduate as Red Hawks!

The threat of thunderstorms brought the ceremony indoors, rather than at the Ross Field venue that the prior five classes had enjoyed, but the excitement among the 42-member graduating class on the evening of June 27 was palpable.

The meat of the ceremony

GHS principal, Brian Kavanagh, was attending his own daughter’s graduation, so elementary principal, Andrew Doane, welcomed all to the 148th commencement ceremony. Doane served as associate principal at GHS for a number of years before moving to the elementary school, so his heartfelt remarks recognizing the hard work and achievements of the graduates were certainly meaningful to them.

Class president Madelyn Bishop led the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered her welcome speech. She spoke about all of the “firsts” the class had experienced together, as well as thanking her parents and teachers for all they have done. She then highlighted perseverance and its importance in life — particularly poignant for her, having lost someone dear to her at the start of her senior year.

“I know I’m not the only one who came into this year carrying something heavy … but we showed up every day,” Bishop said. “And not because we wanted to, but because it mattered. That’s what perseverance looks like, and that’s what this class is made of.”

In a similar vein, salutatorian Alyssa Slater spoke about everyone fighting their own battles to get where they are today and gave sage advice to her classmates.

“Walk through the world with more confidence. It’s not necessary to spend so much time worrying about what everyone else thinks of you,” Slater said. “Life flies fast, so make sure to spend time with your parents and grandparents because they can disappear at a moment’s notice. Stay informed about the world, but don’t stress about the things you can’t control.”

Olivia Arthur, whose goal since fourth grade was to be valedictorian, mentioned many beautiful things one can find in the world such as nature, music, art and more, and how we don’t have to work hard to find them.

“So many things we don’t have to work all that hard for,” Arthur said. “School may have been easy, or it may have been hard for you, but just because there is so much that comes easily, that doesn’t mitigate the hard work you have put in. And some good things take time, like relationships with the people here and graduating.”

Next up was the GHS Chorus singing “Alma Mater,” followed by Superintendent Margo Martin, who was the final speaker before the diplomas were awarded.

Martin gave her speech in Dr. Seuss style, in celebration of the 20 years of GHS musicals, given that “Seussical” was the last that these students would participate in on the Groton stage.

Sandwiched between Martin’s very clever delivery of lines from Dr. Seuss stories were points she made such as, “Treat others as you would want to be treated. You’re entering a world of turmoil — be the one who makes a difference. Face life’s challenges with grace. Be confident, stay true to who you are and remember what you’ve already accomplished. Try those adventures of life as you grow. In this journey, your greatest fear is not in doing something new — it’s in the regret you will have that you didn’t do it.”

Who are the members of the Class of 2025?

After graduates received their diplomas, Bishop led the class in the traditional turning of the tassels, caps were tossed, and the following graduates were ready to begin their promising futures:

Caiden Antrum, Olivia Arthur (valedictorian), Madelyn Bishop (class president), Lena Brehm, Michael Brehm, William Brehm, Kali Church, Damian Cobb, Taylie Coombs, Hunter DeGraw, Cayden Dryja, Conor Eldred, Leontine Evans, Sean Grajales. Crystaavon Harriger, Olivia Harris, Abigail Haughwout, Cooper Hewitt, Judson Holl (class vice-president), Riley Lockwood, Dakodah Mayhew, Luke McIntyre, Casandra Meija, Jaiden Mitchell, Zachary Muzzy, Tessa Nickerson (LaTray), Sean O’Brien, Willow Orr, Cami Parker, Caydee Parker, Natalie Ray (class treasurer), Jordan Reagin, Elijah Reynolds, Carmelo Riley-Israel, Ronnie Rose, Sophie Rose, David Shea, Michael Shurtleff, Alyssa Slater (salutatorian and class secretary), Ellyanna Sturmer, Emily Trejo, Kirstyn Wright.

The plethora of scholarships, awards, earned college credits from Tompkins Cortland Community College, extracurricular and sports involvements and future plans of each of these students are truly astounding and could never fit in the confines of this column, but Doane announced them all to thunderous applause for each graduate.

Congratulations GHS Class of 2025 — your community is very proud of you!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Fourth of July Fireworks

Just another reminder — Groton’s annual Fourth of July Celebration Fireworks, sponsored by the Groton Fire Department, will be held Sunday, July 6 at dusk at Groton Elementary School fields. Come early — there will be food vendors and a DJ on site.

Outdoor church

McLean Community Church, 50 Church St., will begin holding its Sunday services outdoors on July 6, weather permitting, for the duration of the summer. Services begin at 10 a.m.

Summer Concert Series

Beginning Friday, July 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., the Summer Concert Series will take place at the Groton American Legion, sponsored by Groton Recreation.

There will be a different band and food truck each week, beginning with Crystal Vision and Locos Tacos. The X’Plozionz band and Feocco’s Food will be on site July 18, Tink Bennett and Tailor Made and Deli Guys food truck July 25, Joe Whiting Band and MOMO’s Café on August 1, Bad Alibi with a repeat appearance by MOMO’s Café August 8. Wrapping things up on August 15 will be The TARPS cover band, along with Feocco’s Food.