Hancock County High School graduates 120
HAWESVILLE — Hancock County High School said goodbye to its Class of 2025 on Friday night during a graduation ceremony in the school's gymnasium, which was packed to the rafters with family, friends and well-wishers.
Principal Ginger Estes said the class of 120 students is filled with 'incredible individuals.'
'They're go getters; they have lots of grit, and they're going to go places,' said Estes, who cited the class' academic work as one of the aspects that made it stand out. 'We have almost 100% transition ready. They either met benchmark for academics or they met benchmark for career. So they've either been certified in some kind of pathway or they met their ACT benchmark, so we're really very proud of that.'
Alex Madden, class president, was the graduate speaker and spoke of the memories the class made and how they have bright futures. He also reflected about the importance of living in the moment.
'It was great, and there is no place I would rather be,' said Madden of HCHS. 'One thing that stands out is how Hancock County is the place I love, and I think what makes it so special is all the people. Anytime there is a tough time, everyone shows up. I think it's a great tight-knit community. I made a lot of friends, made a lot of memories. It's been fun.'
Thirty-three members of the class were recognized for academic excellence:
Summa Cum Laude: Hayden Decker, Ayvah Dixon, Baylee Estes, Addison Ferry, Raylee Higdon, Samuel Huff, Sarah Huff, William Kessinger, Katie Kruger, Lily Lindauer, Samantha McManaway, Zachary Mucker, Lawes Payne, Maddox Simpson, Brenton Smith and Shane Wedding.
Magna Cum Laude: Jaden Drone, Wyatt Emmick, William Haycraft, Declan Lewko, Landon Mooneyham, Keegan Powers and Christopher Zablocki.
Cum Laude: Carson Clark, Ealum Colbert, Ethan Compton, Kyla Duncan, Savannah Gilliland, Presley King, Haylee Lanum, Dylan Roberts and Samuel Sanders.
Baylee Estes, class secretary, was trying to come to terms with her high school career ending.
'It's kind of crazy, because it feels like I just started high school yesterday,' she said. 'To be at this point right now is crazy. I can't even believe it right now.'
Estes said it felt like the year flew by.
'There was a lot of different activities going on through my senior year, so I feel like I was on the go all the time with either banquets or senior awards or softball,' she said. 'All of the things just kept coming.'
Estes said she is going to miss the support she has received from classmates and staff.
'I just feel like everyone in this community is so together,' she said. 'The bond everyone shares is kind of like everyone is for each other.'
Estes plans to play softball at Centre College and study the pre-physical therapy track.
Sarah Huff said she couldn't believe how fast the years went by.
'It's so surreal, actually,' she said. 'I've been here for four years, and it's really insane to graduate, because ever since we were little, in kindergarten, they told us 2025 is going to be here before you know it, and it really is, to be honest.
'It's just kind of insane to be graduating with all of these people that I've known for basically my entire life now.'
Huff said spending time with her friends in marching band was a highlight of her senior year.
Huff plans to attend the University of Louisville-Owensboro for its nursing program.
'I wanted to be a doctor, but med school is just not where I want to be at this point in my life, so nursing it is,' she said. 'I've always had the passion to help others, and being around these people made me want to be a nurse because I want to be a better person and make a change in this world.'
Wyatt Emmick said reaching the end of high school 'doesn't really feel real.' But he's glad to see the finish line.
'You have to go through this for 12 years, and it's not very easy, and it's not very fun,' he said. 'But when you're done, you really miss it, I guess. That's what I've heard.'
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