Eighty-nine newly minted graduates received their diplomas on Sunday as Parsons High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025.
Three students earned the valedictorian distinction — Madelyn Armitage, Makenzi Taliaferro and Antonio Aita.
Lucas Fugate was the salutatorian. Aita, who is studying abroad, couldn’t attend the ceremony.
Armitage also received the Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award and the Certificate for Exceptional Academic Performance for scoring a 32 or above on her ACT.
Miracle Adams, Aita, Armitage, Chassis Baker, Conner Barcus, Lucas Fugate, Abigail Gharmalkar, Angie Gloriau, Xenia Rush, Manaye Ryan-Harris, Brynndi Shelley and Makenzie Taliaferro were honored for maintaining GPAs of 4.0 or above.
Barcus and Saylah Rea received the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s Citizenship Award.
Fugate addressed his fellow graduates with a speech titled “Keep Moving Forward,” which centered on themes of perseverance and thankfulness for the school’s teachers, staff and classmates.
Armitage then gave an address, “Mosaics of Our Past,” which focused on how each student’s past shapes their present and future choices and values.
The Music Company performed “Go the Distance,” a song from the Disney movie “Hercules.”
Principal Rob Barcus and Assistant Principal Tyler Thompson presented the various awards to graduates. Superintendent Lori Perkins commemorated the acceptance of the Class of 2025.
USD 503 Board President Lou Martino presented graduates with diplomas as they walked across the stage.
The school silently honored JahMarcus Washington, a student who passed away in June 2024 just before his senior year, with a chair among the graduates that included his photograph and balloons.
ABOVE: Madelyn Armitage, one of three valedictorians for the Class of 2025 at Parsons High School, delivers her address, “Mosaics of Our Past,” during graduation on Sunday in the school’s gymnasium. LEFT: A PHS graduate honored his parents with the decoration of his mortarboard. Sean Frye/Sun photos
