May 16, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A New Beginning!
During Friday night’s graduation ceremony, 171 members of the DCHS Class of 2025 were urged to chase their dreams as they turn the page from the past to the future.
The commencement began an hour earlier than originally planned due to forecasts of thunderstorms and although it was cloudy and a bit windy, the rain held off during the ceremony.
Class Valedictorian Kora Kilgore reminded her classmates that while this chapter is closing, there is much more to their life story yet to be told.
“Every one of us has been writing our own story these past 4 years,” said Kilgore.” The challenges we’ve faced, experiences we’ve had, and the knowledge we gained have all shaped this chapter of our lives very differently. No matter. We can all share one part of our story. The people we met. Whether it be teachers who became our mentors, coaches who taught us the value of hard work, or friends who stuck by us through the highs and lows, we can all agree that the people we met during our time here no doubt had the greatest impact on each of our stories,” said Kilgore.
“Tonight, as we write the final page of this chapter, we’re closing a part of our lives. And while what each of us experienced was very different, we all made it here together”.
“This isn’t the end of the story, just the close of a chapter. Some of us will go into the workforce, others into trade school or college. But no matter how the next chapter looks for you, always remember the people who impacted your story. And always carry the lessons you learned with you wherever you go,” said Kilgore.
“I am glad to have experienced this chapter with all of you, and I cannot wait to see what we all write in our next one. Congratulations Class of 2025,” Kilgore concluded.
Class President Madeline Martin congratulated her fellow graduates on how far they have come, and she challenged them to go much further.
“Looking back on our journey, it is incredible to see how far we have come. We spend so much time waiting for life to begin that sometimes we forget what’s happening in the moment. If there is one thing that high school has taught me, it’s that the present moment matters more than you think, so don’t rush it. Make the most of what you have while you have it,” said Martin,
“We live in a world that measures our success in titles, test scores, and labels. However, these things do not define us. Success isn’t defined by a college acceptance or your future job. It’s showing up for those you love and getting back up after failure. It’s being kind when no one is watching or staying true to yourself in a world that tells you to be someone else”.
“We all have different paths ahead of us after tonight. Some of us know exactly what’s coming next, and some of us don’t. And that’s okay. Life doesn’t fit into one mold that everyone has to follow, so don’t be afraid of the unknown. Tonight, I urge you, don’t be defined by these four years, but let it be the foundation for your future,” said Martin.
The commencement began with a processional by the DCHS band as members of the class took their seats followed by an invocation by FCA member Andrew Dakas, a musical presentation by the DCHS Choir, and remarks by Class President Martin, and Valedictorian Kilgore. Students were recognized for Honors and Service Awards along with Motlow associate degree recipients, Distinction, Military Enlistments, and Top Rank students.
Principal Bruce Curtis awarded Kilgore as the Class Valedictorian and Martin, Salutatorian and then presented the White Rose Awards which went to Avery Agee and Ty Webb. Alissa Summers received the Citizenship Award.
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the senior class with strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community and exemplary moral character.
The Citizenship Award is given to a student in the senior class who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community.
Diplomas were then presented to each member of the class by Principal Curtis and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps as their names were called by Assistant Principal Jenny Norris. The commencement closed with a Benediction by FCA member Seth Fuson and members of the class tossing their caps in celebration.
Members of the DCHS Class of 2025 are as follows:
Avery Nicole Avery, Brayan Aguirre Bustillo, Kevin Michael Ahlgard, Sarah Hannah Aldino, Brayden Lavaughn Alverson, Macy Lynn Anderson, Axel Abraham Aranda, Alisha Elaine Armour, Joe Donald Ashford,
Nathaniel Edward Bain, Jaden Elise Barber, Kelsie Ann Barber, Ian Kyle Barnes, Jamey Renee Bradshaw, Olle Cameron Brookshire, Cale H. Brown, Caleb Keaton Buckley, Riley Jaythan Bullard, Jocelyn Burton, Grant Alexander Buterbaugh, Autumn Grace Byford,
Adrian Alexander Cabrera Gutierrez, Tanner Glenn Cantrell, Elizabeth Ann Cardin, Stephen Chance Carter, Christopher Charlie Lynn Cartwright, Hector Cervantes, Owen Garth Coffee, Audrey Dare Collins, Landon Douglas Colwell, Martin Coronado, Raylie Danielle Cowan, Ansley Caroline Crook, Danis Manuel Cruz Villalobos, Adreana Marie Cuevas,
Andrew Jackson Dakas, Annabella Eleni Dakas, Leonardo Delgado Perales, Stephen Joseph Dibattiste, Chloe Ariel Dies, Trinity Hope Dodson, Milas Beck Driver,
Greyson Wayne Emme,
Logan Isaiah Farris, Ashton Jerome Ferrell, Kristi Rashell Flores Calderon, Shaelee Nicole Foster, Lauren Elaine Fry, Seth Wilmore Fuson,
Eden Jolene Garner, Talan Linnell Gentry, Alyssa Brooke Gilpin, Marleth-Guadalupe Godinez-Silva, Jesus Daniel Gomez, Leslie Gonsalez-Martinez, Allison Faith Marie Goodwin, Camila Granados-Cortes, Caleb Benton Gray, Zoe McKenzie Guinn, Jesus Guzman-Godinez, Miguel Alejandro Guzman-Jantes,
Addison Renea Hale, Christian Cole Hale, Macey MaKenna Hale, Maddox Christian Hale, Raven Trinity Hale, William Samuel Harris, Tryton Lee Hartle, Clayton Daniel Hattaway, Alexis Riley Hawkins, Julianna Desiree Haynes, Katya Renee Hennessee, Erick Yandel Hernandez- Dragustinovis, Darin Garcia Herrera, Jackson Ryder Hodges, Charles Ean Holland,
Makinzy Lynn Jenkins, Leah Nicole Johnson,
Hannah Grace Keith, Kora Lin Kilgore, Dallas Lealan Kirby, Katherine Irene Knowles, Victoria Lynn Knowles, Addison Isabella Kyle,
Julio Arturo Lanier, Caleb Reed Lawson, Christian Jacob Lawson,
Aidan Michael Malone, Braeden Lee Mangin, Aaron Micheal Maple, Cesar Angel Martinez Soto, Jesus Alejandro Martinez-Rivera, Madeline Aiko Martin, Ninfa Jireth Martinez Parral, Jackson Carter Mathis, Brody Daniel Matias, Ashton Brooke McClain, Conner Preston McClure, Kristopher Steven Cole McMillen, Luke Leeallen Midgett, Keara McKinsey Milligan, Sara Grace Moore, Kenley Jewel Morris, Landon Alexander Moses, Marvin Bee Mosley, Paisly Nicole Mullican, Jose Luis Muniz Guzman, Savanna Hope Murphy,
Deeanna Nicole Neal, Layla Kaye Newby, Amy Lindale Nokes,
Mara Jade Oakley,
Jesus Alan Padilla, Charlotte Joy Paladino, Jordan Dallas Parker, Megyn Kyndal Patterson, Bradley Jae Pelham, Bryna Mae Pelham, Jesus Emmanuel Perez-Almaguer,
Lucia Perez Torres, Mylie Rose Phillips, Joyce Janice Portillo, Alison Leigh Poss, Evan Michael Prichard, Christopher Aaron Pulley, Bryan Ramirez-Celaya, Abril Rangel Salazar,
Siraya Ann Ratley, Dylan Thomas Reed, Laurie Beth Rigsby, Chloe Maleah Robinson, Emily Louise Robinson, Zeva Allyse Robinson, Kobe Bryce Roller,
Kinsley Diane Savage, Kylee Layne Savage, Isaiah Lucas Seale, Julio Cesar Sebastian Santiago, Andrew Bryan Shahan, Lauren Darlene Shehane, Kane Lamont Smith,
Owen Andrew Snipes, Ayden Michael Sprague, Braden Leo Sprague, Alexis Grace Stanley, Bryson Patrick Stanley, Jonathan Thomas Stanley, Daniel Curtis Stiffler, Kerstain Sadie Irene Strawser, Jayden Austin Sturdivant, Alissa Marie Summers, Gracie Jo Summers, Kaitlyn Brooke Summers,
Jericho Dekota Taylor, Mason James Taylor, Emily Leanne Teague, Antonio C. Thomas, James David Thomas, Emma Grace Thompson, Jennifer Selina Torres Soto, Nhan Thanh Truong,
Emma Rose Valdez,
Javan Wayne Walker, Gabriella Paige Washer, Ty Rustyn Webb, Crissy Nicole White, Jaden Maddox Wildes, Katelyn Marie Williams, Kaitlyn Lu Anne Wood,
Christina Kay Youngblood and Emily Tate Young