Thirty-three Gillett High School seniors said goodbye to their alma mater and hello to the next phase of their lives.
Those students included Zander Davis and Scott Heroux, the Class of 2025’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, who addressed a full gym May 25 at the school’s annual graduation ceremony.
“High school isn’t just about academics,” Davis said. “A lot of it was us just figuring things out. Wherever we’re going, we’re leaving here with more than just a diploma.”
“Each person here has their own accomplishments,” Heroux said. “Each person here has gone through very different lifestyles. We should congratulate every one of them.”
Heroux said he enjoyed growing up with his classmates.
“This isn’t about me or any of my accomplishments,” outgoing class president Grace Simpson said. “It’s about us. Congratulations, Class of 2025. We’ve come a long way and we’re just getting started.”
Principal Shawn Limberg introduced the top 10 students of the class academically, a list that included Davis, Heroux and Simpson, along with Jesse DeBauch, Lily Hansen, Myapiphany Kuhn, Ryan Pensis, Cole Schaal, Logan Stemler and Jack Sturm.
“I’ve watched you grow up in these halls,” Limberg said. “You had to figure out how to manage deadlines, but you figured it out and found your stride. There were challenges, but you showed up and kept going. You showed up for one another. That kind of loyalty is rare. Keep it.”
Retiring elementary school principal Curt Angeli, who spent all 35 years in education with the Gillett School District, addressed his final graduating class.
“Only seven years ago, I was presiding over your fifth-grade graduation,” he said. “We remember you. On behalf of the staff of Gillett Elementary School, we’ve been watching you. “We see you and we’ve very proud of you.
“As you step into what’s next, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Be bold, be kind, be just a little bit weird.”
Gillett grads say goodbye to high school
