Morgan County High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 on May 23 at Bill Corry Stadium in Madison.
Two hundred fifty-seven graduating seniors received their diplomas at the ceremony, with friends and family celebrating in the stands.
Shortly before presenting the diplomas, MCHS Principal Melanie Sigler addressed the students about their future and the accomplishments they have achieved over the years.
“Tonight is a celebration of your hard work, perseverance, growth, and the promise of what’s to come,” Sigler said. “There is no better place for this moment than Bill Corry Stadium, the place that holds your sweat, victories, frustrations, laughter, and community.”
In her address to the students, Sigler discussed how graduation sparks significant changes for the future and provides the “opportunity for a new chapter.”
“Graduation is just one step in the lifetime of becoming, and that journey of becoming is yours to shape,” Sigler said. “You are not defined by how others saw you in high school, by what may have happened to you in middle school, by a nickname or something posted on social media.”
To conclude her speech, Sigler urged the students to push forward, even in uncertain times, and to reach out for support when needed.
“If you ever need encouragement, a reminder of who you are, or someone to believe in you, we’re still here. We’ve seen your growth, courage, and light, and we believe in you,” Sigler said. “Class of 2025, we are proud of you, we are cheering for you, and we will always be here for you. Go Dogs!”
Kentucky Outlaw was named valedictorian for the school’s Class of 2025. He will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall.
During his speech, Kentucky expressed his appreciation for his fellow seniors.
“I do not know each of you, but I can imagine each of you has had moments of struggle and moments of joy,” Outlaw said. “I am proud of you. Every single one of you. Each of you battled your own challenges and dedicated countless hours to getting to this moment.”
Kentucky also acknowledged the various accomplishments of the graduating class through multiple clubs and extracurricular programs at the school.
“We have excelled academically, athletically, agriculturally, and artistically,” Outlaw said. “Seated among our class are National FFA Award winners, state and regional champions in numerous sports, grant-winning entrepreneurs, local, state, and nationally recognized musicians, singers, dancers, artists, and actors, and countless scholarship recipients. That’s a lot to be proud of.”
In his closing remarks, Kentucky thanked the community and staff for their support over the years. He reminded his classmates to recognize Morgan’s uplifting environment, as well as the hard work they had accomplished over the past four years.
“If you need help with college or tech school burdens, a job lead, or someone to talk to, I can guarantee at least one person in this county will help you,” Outlaw said. “So, know that you are not on this venture alone. Class of 2025, thank you for everything you have given me, and even more importantly, thank you for what you have given yourselves. I am so proud to be a part of this class, and I can’t wait to see all the success we have in the future.”