2025 NLHS class sees over 250 graduates
On Saturday morning, 256 North Laurel High School seniors were presented with their diplomas at the Corbin Arena, celebrating not only the end of high school but their perseverance through four particularly defining years.
From beginning high school the year after a global pandemic to navigating snowstorms, the active shooter incident on I-75, and the EF-4 tornado that closed schools early for the year, the 2025 graduates of both North and South Laurel overcame unique challenges.
Saturday's commencement was a moment of celebration and reflection as students, families, and staff gathered to honor the journey.
The ceremony began with 'Pomp and Circumstance' performed by the North Laurel High School Band, followed by a presentation of colors by NJROTC, a national anthem performance by Abigail Grace Mounce, and a performance by the school's Chamber Choir.
Principal J. Michael Black welcomed those in attendance. Like the graduating students, Black shared that the ceremony marked a personal milestone for him as well. The ceremony marked his last as the school's principal, as he is retiring after serving 18 years in the role.
'Today we celebrate a significant milestone — the graduation of the class of 2025,' Black said. 'You've worked hard, you've shown resilience, and grown into young adults ready to take on the world. This moment is about you, and I couldn't be prouder to stand here and cheer you on.
'But if you'll allow me just a moment of reflection, today is deeply personal for me as well. You see, this is not just the end of your high school journey, it's the end of mine too,' he continued.
Black reflected on his 18 graduating classes, calling the class of 2025 his 'final chapter' and praising their growth.
'This year especially, your resilience has shone through,' he said. 'Despite the challenges from school closures due to the I-75 incident, snowstorms, flooding, and most recently the devastating tornadoes, you have continued to show up with strength, grace, and a determination to move forward.
'As I step away, I'm not leaving with sadness, but with immense gratitude and pride,' Black stated. 'I may be retiring from the role of principal, but I will always be your biggest fan. So class of 2025, go forward with confidence, lead with integrity, and remember — once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar.'
Laurel County Schools Superintendent Denise Griebel praised the class for their determination and unity.
'You faced challenges that few graduating classes before you have encountered, yet here you are, showing your North Laurel pride,' she said. Griebel also extended gratitude to families and school staff, calling them vital to students' success.
Class President Kendan Jolee Napier highlighted the support system behind the graduates, expressing personal thanks to his mother and teachers, and noting how many students helped with recovery efforts after the May 16 tornado.
'Many of our classmates could be found helping with the cleanup efforts, and I am proud to be a member of such a great group of people,' Napier stated.
Speaker Montgomery Whitis reflected on key moments the class endured together — from Covid-19 to the tornado's aftermath. He said those affected by the recent weather remain in his prayers.
'This is the finish line we've all been running toward since we were kids,' Whitis said. 'I challenge you to be the best version of you.'
Ashlyn Ella Jane Osborne shared her personal journey with anxiety and dyslexia, thanking the teachers and staff who supported her and her classmates.
'Thank you for being our mentors, our therapists, and guiding us to reach our fullest potential,' Osborne stated.
She reminded graduates that their value comes not just from success, but from the impact they have on others.
The final student speaker, Kaylyn Kristiana Harvey, closed with a reflection inspired by the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go. She encouraged classmates to embrace their independence, while trusting in their preparation and faith to guide them forward.
'Don't dwell on your past and the decisions you made, for those are the very reasons you are sitting here today,' Harvey said. 'Enjoy the process of making a life for yourself, and most importantly, don't get so caught up in a happy ending that you forget to enjoy the story.'
Diplomas were presented by Supt. Griebel and Deputy Supt. Tharon Hurley. The North Laurel High School Band concluded the ceremony with 'Celtic Air and Dance,' as students turned their tassels and threw their caps up to the ceiling in celebration.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
32 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
These graduating Lowell students were called ‘lottery kids.' The stigma never went away
When the freshmen class walked into San Francisco's elite Lowell High School for the first time in the fall of 2021, they were slapped with a label that stuck for the next four years: lottery kids. Unlike prior decades of Lowell students, those 621 students hadn't gotten in because of exceptional grades and impressive test scores. Those students and the following ninth grade class were admitted through the same mostly random process used at the district's other high schools — a decision based on a lack of grades and test scores in the early years of the pandemic to evaluate the Lowell applications. They were lucky. Some said it wasn't fair. They hadn't earned admission, didn't belong and would fail, a number of parents, teachers and others in the community said. Others, including a majority on the school board, hoped the change would be permanent to help bring more Black and Latino students to a school that was more than 50% Asian American about 1% Black. Lowell returned to merit-based admissions for the fall of 2023, leaving two years of lottery years sandwiched between merit-admission peers. Those two years could help answer a burning question: What if the district randomly admitted students to one of the top-performing and academically rigorous high schools in the country? It turns out that overall, the academic disparities between the lottery and merit students were relatively small, according to district data. The average GPA of the first lottery class was 3.45, compared to an average 3.69 GPA over the previous five years. The average SAT score of lottery students lagged by 78 points compared to the average merit-based SAT taker back to 2020, although lottery scores were still 240 points above the national average. And on average the class of 2025 took 2.65 Advanced Placement courses, compared to an average 2.8 over the previous five years, although nearly on par with the class of 2020's 2.69. Based on the basic academic data available, the sky did not fall as some predicted, said Tony Payne, district executive director of high schools. But that isn't surprising, he said, given Lowell's reputation as a rigorous academic school. 'Even when it was a lottery, I think families and students would self-select around this academic environment,' he said. 'Kids who would have gotten into Lowell anyway, a ton of them applied. 'I think the data makes sense from that perspective,' he added. Benjamin Zhang, who was graduating Monday in red cap and gown as part of Lowell's first lottery class, was perhaps among the kids who would have been at Lowell regardless of the admission process. But he and his classmates would never know. Still, Zhang, the class salutatarian with a full scholarship to Yale University, said in his graduation speech that they were defined by the lottery. 'That title hung over us like an overdue assignment. 'Not merit-based,' they said. 'Just lucky,' they whispered,' said Zhang. 'And … let this be our final act: To say that we are not defined by a lottery, a label or a transcript. We are defined by what we did with the chance we were given.' While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, with random admissions significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students. The senior class this year, the first lottery group, included 22 Black students and 121 Latino students, for example, while the senior class of 723 students four years earlier had just five Black students and 78 Latino students. At the same time, there was more attrition in the lottery class, with 93 of the original freshmen leaving by senior year, compared to an average of 41 over the previous five years. Other district high schools also saw upticks in attrition, although not as large. District officials said understanding the data is complicated by the fact that the first Lowell lottery class was hit with a double whammy, entering high school after spending all of eighth grade and the end of seventh in online learning because of the pandemic. They started high school, lost among the three buildings and four floors at Lowell with masks secured to their faces, their social skills withered and their grade-level academics and study skills a big question mark. Lowell principal JanMichelle Bautista ticked off the list of challenges for students during that first year back to in-person learning: 'Behavior changes, academic progress, stamina for coursework, sitting in a classroom for 90 minutes.' Teachers would say the lottery kids were so different, Bautista said, but the reality was 'we were all so different.' The pandemic-era Lowell lottery triggered a fierce debate over whether or not the school should remain exclusive to ensure the district's academically motivated students could thrive, even if the student body had few Black and Latino students. For decades, Lowell had been a point of pride for the city, consistently one of the top performing public schools in the country, churning out prominent figures in politics, entertainment, literature and science. Amid the pandemic, the progressive-majority school board moved to make the lottery permanent in February 2021, after voting in October 2020 for a one-year random selection for upcoming fall freshmen. Lowell parents and other city residents were outraged. 'The job market is merit based, college is merit based,' said parent Surveen Singh during the school board meeting that made it permanent in 2021. 'Lowell's high standards, training and rigor have given many students, especially immigrant families, the impetus and skills to attend college and succeed. 'Why on earth would anyone want to take that away?' Critics of the merit-based system argued back. 'There should be no sacred cows in the SFUSD schools,' said Virginia Marshall, representing the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators. 'Every child should have the opportunity to go to Lowell High School.' A year later, following a recall of three progressive school board members and a lawsuit, the school board returned Lowell to a merit-based system. It does not appear the school board will reconsider the Lowell admissions policy anytime soon, even with the lottery class data in hand. 'We absolutely want to preserve the rigorous instruction and academic programming offered at schools like Lowell,' said school board President Phil Kim. 'We know students are up to the challenge, and families are asking for more of these opportunities across all our high schools. The demand is there.' Some members of the two classes of lottery students and their families said they felt the stigma of being at Lowell under the random admission process in the halls and classrooms. 'I heard those stories from the students,' Bautista said. On Monday, the four years of hard work and stress seemed to fade into the background as parents sat in the stands at Kezar Stadium watching the Lowell graduates walk across the stage as their names were called. 'I'm beside myself with joy,' said parent Jameelah Hoskins. Her son, Yusef, was among the 22 Black students in his class. He had been a straight-A, honor roll student in middle school, who at times — like many if not most Lowell students — struggled to keep up with his courses, especially after COVID, Hoskins said. 'The thing I remember is his determination to stay (at Lowell). He wanted to do the work,' she said. 'I was the one saying, 'if you want to go somewhere else, it's OK.'' Yusef will attend City College of San Francisco in the fall and enter the entrepreneur program, perhaps combining it with an electrician trade program, his mom said. Yet among the smiles and goodbye hugs on graduation day, the lottery lingered, a topic in family conversations and in nearly every commencement speech made by a graduate or adult, including Bautista. 'You were scrutinized, second-guessed, and demeaned. People including yourselves questioned your worth, your ability, your presence,' the principal told her lottery kids. ' Never did you shrink in the face of unfair judgment … You turned doubt into drive, exclusion into excellence, criticism into community. 'You belong in every room you walk into. You belong at every single table where decisions are made. You belong in every dream you dare to dream.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man with no teeth sought for robbery at Newport News 7-Eleven
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Newport News police are asking for public assistance identifying a man who robbed a 7-Eleven on May 14. According to officials, the man shoplifted from the business before returning, armed with a brick, around 2:17 a.m. He then demanded products from the clerks, which prompted them to hide in the back room of the business. The suspect then attempted to break into the room with the brick before giving up, according to information provided by police. The suspect stole several packs of cigarettes on his way out. Police provided this surveillance image. Based on victim descriptions of the suspect, police said he is a light-skinned Black male about five-foot-six to five-foot-eight inches tall, 150-170 pounds, and he reportedly has no teeth. If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting and submitting a tip. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Peoria celebrates Juneteenth with a powerful line-up of events and gatherings
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The City of Peoria is coming together to honor Juneteenth with a powerful lineup of events and a united voice. On Thursday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m., a Joint Press Conference was held at Peoria Freedom & Remembrance Memorial Park to officially kick off the community-wide celebrations. Hosted by the Peoria Park District in collaboration with key community partners—including the City of Peoria, Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant, NAACP Peoria Branch, The YANI Collective, Southside Community Center, and the Heritage Ensemble—the press conference spotlighted the many events that make up Peoria's Juneteenth Week. Running from June 7 through June 21, Peoria's Juneteenth events will include parades, pageants, festivals, concerts, and gatherings that highlight Black excellence, resilience, and culture. These celebrations are aimed not only to entertain, but also to educate and unite the community through music, storytelling, art, and remembrance. Local leaders, including Mayor Rita Ali and Robert L. Johnson Sr., along with representatives from each organizing group, will speak at the press conference about the significance of Juneteenth and what each event contributes to the celebration. Event Highlights Include: • Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant Saturday, June 7 | 3:00–6:00 PM | Carver Center A showcase of young Black women exemplifying leadership and cultural pride. • Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Parade Saturday, June 14 | 12:00 PM | NAACP Peoria Branch Building A lively parade honoring the legacy of Black freedom fighters. • Juneteenth Fest: Black Wall Street Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | John H. Gwynn Jr. Park A vibrant festival celebrating Black entrepreneurship and culture. • 26th Annual Juneteenth Father's Day Choral Celebration Sunday, June 15 | 3:00–5:00 PM | ICC Performing Arts Center An uplifting musical tribute from the renowned Heritage Ensemble. • Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration Wednesday, June 19 | 1:00–9:00 PM | Glen Oak Park A full day of family-friendly fun, performances, and community gathering. • Freedom Fest 2025 Friday, June 21 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Trewyn Park A joyful celebration hosted by the Southside Community Center to close out the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
