After the over 200 seniors entered the stadium to Pomp and Circumstance, Principal Nick Verrelli greeted the young graduates and their families, friends and supporters.

Verrelli noted the moment was “benevolent and bittersweet” — including for himself, as he pointed out his own son was in the crowd of blue caps, gowns and white sashes.

“I can’t help but wonder, how did we get here so fast,” he asked.

Verrelli told the graduates it was important to thank those who have supported them over the years — many of whom filled the stands that evening — before passing on his own advice.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Seniors Emily Bechdel, Samantha Darrow, Seth Reitz, Connie Samaniego, Akinori Thorpe and Bryce Warren perform “Theme from Jurassic Park.”

He emphasized the importance of life’s journey and the challenges they could face… and not to be afraid of them or possible mistakes.

He told a story of the night before, where he and his family attempted to make dinner. He said the food turned out so bad, they even considered ordering a pizza.

However, the time he spent with his loved ones was the key.

“It isn’t always about the outcome, it’s about the experiences. Experiences make us who we are,” he said. “The world doesn’t need perfection, it needs experiences.”

He encouraged the Class of 2025 to enjoy their life experiences — the good and the bad — and embrace them.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Central Mountain High School Principal Nick Verrelli welcomes the Class of 2025 and their loved ones to the 26th Annual Commencement Ceremony at Don Malinak Stadium on Wednesday night.

Verrelli’s speech was followed by a welcome address from Class President Heidi Miller.

Miller noted she’d served in her role since sophomore year and expressed her struggle to write this speech.

“I can’t believe the day we’ve been waiting for was finally here,” she said.

Miller thanked her family for their love and support over the years along with staff and teachers for their dedication.

“There are no words to adequately express what you do,” she said.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS 2025 graduate Dylan Crawford is pictured with his grandmother, Gladys Steiger, following the ceremony on Wednesday. Crawford is Steiger’s last grandchild to graduate from high school.

Miller’s speech centered around change and transitional periods.

“We walked onto this field as students of Central Mountain High School… we’ll walk off as graduates, never to be together like this again,” she said.

She challenged her fellow classmates to embrace the changes and transitional periods they’ll see after graduating.

In a letter she penned to her classmates, she noted this was just the beginning of their stories.

“We may be closing a chapter… but the story is just beginning,” she said.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Salutatorian Bryce Warren gives his farewell address at the 26th Annual Commencement Ceremony.

Following a musical selection of “Theme from Jurassic Park” performed by Emily Bechdel, Samantha Darrow, Seth Reitz, Connie Samaniego, Akinori Thorpe and Bryce Warren, students heard from Valedictorian Gavin Karstetter.

Karstetter’s speech often focused on those who helped bring him and his classmates to this point.

“Today marks an end and a new beginning. (But) it does not mean we’ll be alone,” he said.

Karstetter told his classmates it was the help of family, friends, coaches, teachers, staff and many others — some of whom were in the stands — that brought them to this point.

“It’s not unfair to say they’re a big reason we’re here today,” he said, noting he was grateful for his parents, grandparents, coaches and many others who helped him personally grow into the person he is.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Valedictorian Gavin Karstetter gives his speech during the 26th Annual Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025.

“As we head into the world, take a moment to appreciate the parents, teachers and coaches who made it possible,” he said. “We made it… and we didn’t do it alone.”

Karstetter’s speech was followed by a solo performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by McKenna Gray.

Next up, Salutatorian Bryce Warren offered his farewell address.

Warren’s speech — much like his fellow classmates’ — offered a plethora of thanks to those who helped him get to this point. He also touched on the memories he and his classmates were able to make along the way.

He told his fellow graduates to not be afraid of taking risks.

“I encourage you to take chances and not be afraid to fail,” he said.

He noted their stories were only just beginning and it was up to each of them to decide what kind of protagonist they wished to be and to weave their own stories.

“Are you going to write your story or leave the pages blank? The choice is yours, but I know what I’m going to do,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon was the final speaker, after those gathered heard “I’ll Always Remember You” from Disney’s “Hannah Montana” performed by Claire Bowman and Victoria Guthrie.

Redmon acknowledged his time with the Class of 2025 was brief, and he would keep his remarks brief as well. He expressed gratitude towards the family, teachers and staff that helped guide these graduates to where they were.

“Together you’ve built this stage, both figuratively and literally, on which these young people now sit, ready to take their next steps into adulthood,” he said.

Redmon said, while looking across the crowd of over 200 students, he saw more than just that.

“I see individuals who have already lived through moments of challenge and triumph, learning and laughter, responsibility and resilience. You have shown what it means to be respectful and reliable and ready for what comes next. Today is a celebration of not just receiving a diploma, but of everything that diploma represents,” he said.

After Redmon’s speech, the moment finally came. Students lined up as Molly Leitch announced the name of each graduate, and members of the Keystone Central administration and school board members handed each one their diplomas — many names being followed by cheers, shouts and even a few air horns from the stands.

At the conclusion of the award of diplomas, Verrelli proudly presented the Class of 2025.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Heidi Miller, president of the Class of 2025, addresses her fellow graduates during the ceremony on Wednesday night.