By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Years of hard work paid off for Carbon School District students on Tuesday, May 20, as students, friends and family gathered at Carbon High School for the 2025 commencement ceremony.
Kicking the ceremony off was career and technical education teacher Anthony Cilli, who addressed those in attendance,” To the families and friends who have supported these students. Thank you. I know I can speak for all of us when I say that it’s been an honor to guide and learn alongside these students.” He continued,” And last but not least, for our graduates. Your resilience and dedication have brought you to this moment. You have earned this. You face challenges, embrace the growth and emerge stronger. As you turn the page to the next chapter of your lives, remember this: The lessons you’ve learned here will serve as a foundation for a bright future. Embrace the opportunities ahead with confidence and curiosity, knowing we believe in you.”
The mic was then passed to Brexten Simkins, Senior Class President. “Standing here today, I can’t help but think about how fast time moves. Four years ago, we were walking in the school for the first time, I’m sure nervous, wondering where we’re going to fit in. Now, here we are. The end of this chapter,” He continued,” as we leave behind the familiar halls and routines of high school, we step into a world where growth is no longer optional. Life will stress us, test us and sometimes change us in ways we can’t imagine … Let’s leave today with gratitude and courage. And with the knowledge that no matter where we go, we carry this place, these people and these memories with us.”
“Tonight, I’ve been asked to do something nearly impossible: put into words the gratitude you feel for the teachers, parents and guardians who helped shape us into who we are today,” said Salutatorian Drake Chappell. “To our teachers, thank you for believing in us, you did it when we didn’t believe in ourselves … To my own parents, thank you for always showing up to my games and competitions, for taking me to countless practices and covering the expenses along the way. Your constant support and motivation, especially through school, have meant everything to me.”
He closed by stating,” This diploma isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a symbol of the countless hours you’ve invested in us. As we move forward into this next chapter, we carry your lessons, your love and your support with us.”
Following Chappell’s remarks, valedictorian Nicholas Bryner addressed the attendees, reflecting on the CHS theme of R.O.A.R. “The R stands for respect. True respect is found in the way we choose to listen to each other. In the way we choose to understand each other. Respect is not about liking everyone you meet. Don’t be ridiculous. Respect is about holding yourself accountable to the idea that no matter who you meet in life. Every single human being has an inherent dignity to their existence. O is for Optimism. It’s a decision to believe that things can be better than they are now. And this is not a passive trick. Optimism is a conscious decision you make every day to choose to see good wherever you go.”
Bryner continued,” The a stands for ambition? Ambition does not look the same from person to person. It isn’t about achieving someone else’s version of success. It’s about living your life through to your individual purpose. And from this moment on, your life is yours to shape … The final R is for resilience. Life is a constant battle between darkness and light. And light will get dark. Life will get painful, consuming, so draining, possibly even to the point where you may not be able to see a way out. So I say, resilience isn’t how much you can be kicked around without shedding a tear. No, resilience is not an individual task. Because all the darkness in the world disappears with a kiss, with a hug. With a friend looking you in the eye after a long night of laughing and reminiscing over the stupid things he did in high school, and at the end of it all, being able to say the words I love you, and I appreciate you. Darkness holds no presence in a room where there is light.”
He closed, “I’d like to wrap this up tonight with a final message, and this applies to everyone present, even parents, teachers, and administration. If you live the rest of your life with these aspects of character, respect, optimism, ambition and resilience, I think you’ll live a good life.”
Rounding out the student speakers was Carbon’s second valedictorian, Josiah Trostle, who spoke on overcoming adversity. Erno Rubik famously said ‘Our whole life is solving puzzles.’ My time at Carbon High in some ways, felt like solving a Rubik’s Cube, with each twist and turn building upon the last.” He continued,” The thing about a Rubik’s Cube is that there’s no one right way to solve it. Just like the Pledge of Allegiance, some people say it a lot slower than others. You may think it’s up to us to figure it out one twist at a time, so don’t be afraid to try new things and ask more experienced people for advice. Remember, this life is full of twists, turns and unexpected challenges. Each of you has your own puzzle to solve. And no matter where we end up or how long it takes, we are all equipped to keep going.”
Closing out the ceremony was keynote speaker Gail Scoville, who, after 30 years of teaching at Carbon High, has decided to retire. “Congratulations, you’ve made it. This moment is yours, and you’ve earned every bit of it. I’m so excited for you. You are about to embark on the next adventure of your life … You’ve been training for years, learning the rules. Now, you’re getting turbulence, building resilience through delays and detours. Some of you questioned if you’d ever get off the ground, but here you are on the runway and ready for a takeoff. This last leg doesn’t mean it’s already ended; it means one chapter is closing and another’s about to begin. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a transformation.”
Scoville continued,” So, are you ready for the next adventure? That’s not a rhetorical question. It’s one that only you can answer, and here’s what I’ll say: you have to be fearless to be ready. You just need to be willing, willing to grow, willing to fail forward, willing to discover that the world is wider and wilder than you ever imagined. You might not know exactly where you’re going yet, and that’s OK. Adventures are about going to every stop on the map.”
She closed with a word of advice for the graduates: “As you prepare to leave this runway and chase new horizons, whether it’s college work, travel, or home, remember that every ending is just a part of another flight.”
Castle Country Radio would like to congratulate the Carbon High Class of 2025 and wish them good luck on their next adventures.