Grateful for their four years yet ready to leave the past in its place and embrace the future, Killeen High School seniors Friday morning proudly exited one chapter and embarked into the next during the Class of 2025 commencement ceremony inside Cadence Bank Center.
“We've all faced challenges, made mistakes, and perhaps wondered 'What if?' But the past is a teacher, offering priceless lessons. Let's take those lessons with us, using them to inform our choices today, without allowing past regrets to define our tomorrow,” Valedictorian Georgia Daskalakis said.
The notes of pomp and circumstance signaled the start of a jubilant event that not only provided the thousands of family members and friends an opportunity to celebrate their students reaching the significant educational milestone but also allowed for the graduates to reflect on all that they’ve accomplished and endured.
“Although high school was definitely not like how they make it seem in the movies, I can say that the successes and failures brought upon growth, and a newfound independence in all of us,” Salutatorian Daysha Covarrubias shared.
“Through this journey, you were able to persist through the hardships and learn about yourselves and how you want to use your passions and gifts in your future. So, I encourage you all to take some time today to reflect on the beloved teachers, staff, friends, and family who helped support you through this journey.”
Once the 488 graduates settled into their seats, they rose again as the KHS JROTC Color Guard presented the American and Texas flags and the Varsity Chorale performed the national anthem.
Senior representative Dakken Thurston delivered the invocation before fellow representative Devi Ramsumare stepped to the podium and reminded her classmates of how much they’ve grown as people.
“We started high school worried about things like finding our classes on time and whether we were going to survive finals week,” Ramsumare said. “Now we’re leaving high school with so much more –– not just knowledge from textbooks, but real lessons about perseverance, about resilience, and about the kind of people we want to be.”
An abundance of gratitude –– to parents, mentors, friends, educators –– poured from the lectern, and Daskalakis reminded her classmates to hold tight to the memories and bonds made during the busiest four years they’ve experienced so far.
“Focus on your now and look ahead to the future. Look toward who you want to be, who you want to become. As we look around here today, and all the people who helped make us who we are, though it feels like we’re saying goodbye, it’s just farewell. For we carry the pieces of those who have impacted us,” she said.
Senior class president Mone’y Lewis presented the class gift, a welcome sign that will be displayed near the baseball field. Then, soon enough, the moment everyone waited for had arrived.
“As we come up and take our diplomas, understand that this moment is just more than a piece of paper. It’s proof that we showed up on the good days, the hard days, and the days we really wanted to hit snooze one more time. It's the result of laughter, late nights, effort, and growth,” Ramsumare said.
KHS principal Karen Trevino presented the Class of 2025 to KISD Superintendent Jo Ann Fey, the Board of Trustees and other esteemed guests, and one by one the Roos received their diplomas.
They posed for pictures as they returned to their seats and waited for their friends’ names to be called. And four years after they entered the KHS hallways as wide-eyed freshmen, they left the arena floor Friday older, wiser and ready for what’s next.
“As we end this chapter of our lives and go out into the world to begin a new one, I urge you all to have hope for your future. Show dedication, be resilient, and strive for success always, for you determine your own success,” Covarrubias said. “Congratulations Killeen High School Class of 2025, and remember, once a Roo, always a Roo.”
View more photos on the KISD Flickr page here.