Glancing back at their time at the three-year-old Chaparral High School, Class of 2025 graduates celebrated their unique chance to mold a new Bobcat tradition as they stepped across the stage and into their future.
On Saturday, 426 Chaparral seniors earned their diplomas in a graduation ceremony at the Cadence Bank Center.
Valedictorian Madison Edwards said it was the love and support of family and friends that propelled her to the end of high school and to the top of her class.
She urged her classmates to look around the cavernous arena and be grateful for assembled family, friends, teachers, coaches and others who traveled the road with the graduating seniors.
Spending the past three years at a new high school gave the class an unusual opportunity to create school records and form clubs and organizations from the ground up, she pointed out.
“We were part of Chaparral’s new beginnings…I take an incredible amount of pride in that.”
Edwards shared a recent experience losing a family member unexpectedly, causing her to reflect on life’s fragility and the importance of living well in the moment.
“It doesn’t matter if you were prom queen or valedictorian, just try to be the best person that you can be,” she said. “Live life without regrets because at any moment it could all end.”
The top Chaparral graduate urged her peers to take advantage of their chance for a new start. “Don’t let the past define you, but let it prepare your future,” she said. “Do not give up and keep pushing.”
“You only live once so go chase your dreams and be the best.”
Salutatorian Amara Wiltzius reflected on the importance of building community.
Growing up in a military family, frequent moves and a variety of schooling formats has been her life. When she entered Chaparral High School, she was like everyone else coming to a new school.
That experience gave her the chance to help build new traditions and it provided a series of profound moments.
“Moments where I laughed so hard at someone’s joke that I realized I never wanted to spend a day in class without them, or moments when a teacher advocated for me or moments where I went from feeling obligated to help others to feeling invigorated by it,” she said.
“In those moments, I became part of a village,” said Wiltzius.
She named her parents and siblings and several teachers and other leaders who have helped her and encouraged her peers to find their biggest supporters after the ceremony and give them a hug.
“No matter who you are or where you go, make sure you step into a community that will embrace you and motivate you just as you are.”
Prior to the top graduates, Senior Class President Destiny Crosby grew emotional as she welcomed her peers and the large audience to the event.
“We’ve been through ups and downs, but we’ve come out stronger, wiser and more resilient because of it,” she said.
“Let’s celebrate our achievements and go out there and make our mark. Go Bobcats!”
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720326352325