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The Class of 2025 sat under the arena lights at the University of North Texas Coliseum on Sunday afternoon, ready to celebrate a major milestone in front of their family and friends.
Pilot Point High School Principal Marzia Infante opened the festivities.
'Graduation is more than a ceremony; it's the celebration of years of hard work, perseverance and growth,' she said. 'As a first-year principal, I've had the privilege of watching this incredible class rise to every challenge with grace and determination. From the very start, even before the school year began, when I received my first warm welcome from Noah Pelzel, I knew this community was something truly special.'
Infante spoke of two people the Class of 2025 wanted to remember during their celebration—their classmate Vail Johnson and their teacher Leslie Clark.
'Their memory will always remain a part of us,' Infante said.
She gave her students one more reminder of the faith she has in them.
By Abigail Allen
Xavier Raines beams after the crowd cheered. Raines, who had attended Gainesville High School for a portion of his high school career, returned home to graduate as a Bearcat with his friends.
'Graduates, as you step into the next chapter, whether it's college, career, service or the unknown, know this: You are ready. We believe in you. Si, se puede,' Infante said. 'Congratulations, Class of 2025. You make us proud. Now go out and make the world proud, too.'
She then called Keegan De-Witt forward to sing the national anthem, followed by Minka Huss leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Noemi Alejos, the Student Council president, came up to offer the invocation.
'Grant us wisdom to make good choices, courage to face new challenges and faith to trust in Your plan for our lives,' Alejos said. 'May we use knowledge not only for success, but for service— to make the world a better reflection of Your love and truth.'
FFA President Noah Pelzel then stepped on stage to give the welcome address, in which he expressed gratitude for the people who helped form the graduates.
'To the parents, guardians and loved ones— thank you,' he said. 'Your unwavering support, patience and unconditional love have been the steady foundation upone which these graduates have built their success. ... Today, as they cross this stage, know that your sacrifices, your guidance and your faith have made this moment possible. The achievement is yours, too.'
He also thanked the educators who taught them.
'You have done more than teach lessons; you've inspired a love for learning,' he said. '... Today's celebration is a reflection of your tireless dedication and the countless ways you've touched the lives of these graduates.'
He encouraged his fellow graduates to 'move forward with purpose and pride.'
Salutatorian Bennett Cory built on that, advising his classmates to 'be uncomfortable, and you will grow.'
'A lot of people settle for being good enough,' Cory said. 'You don't have to be perfect— just passable. But there's a hidden danger in that mindset: the moment you feel that you're good enough, you stop pushing yourself. You stop growing.'
He pushed his fellow graduates to push through and find creative ways to improve.
'I started doing small things that made me uncomfortable on purpose,' he said. 'Wearing ridiculous pink banana shorts to cross country practice.'
He talked about his faith and encouraged his classmates to focus on an 'audience of one,' in reference to God, saying that's the only opinion that should matter.
'So chase the awkwardness,' he said. 'Chase the uncomfortable conversation. Talk to the person you don't get along with. Take the risk. Wear the dumb shorts. Whatever it is, do it with purpose. Make yourself uncomfortable and you'll grow.'
Valedictorian Anneliese Helton continued to build on the theme of embracing life with purpose.
'Freshman year, everything came to a halt when I had to miss the last quarter of the year for heart surgery,' she said. 'In that moment, it wasn't about grades; it was about pushing through, learning how valuable life really is and realizing there's more to success than just a grade.'
She spoke of the people who matter to her— lifelong friends, newly minted friends and her family.
'Wherever we go next, whether it's across the coutnry or just a few miles away, I hope we carry what matters,' she said. 'The people who really knew us. The small routines we thought we'd outgrow. And ultimately, the version of ourselves that took shape during these four years. Our time here wasn't just about the clock ticking by. It was about actually learning to live in that time.'
After the graduates crossed the stage one by one, Sabannah Hernandez Alcocer offered the benediction.
'Thank you for the friendships that have carried us, the teachers who have inspired us and the families who have stood by us with love and support,' she said. 'We are grateful for the laughter, the lessons, the memories and even the struggles, because they have shaped who we are today.'
Singing the school song one more time, the Bearcats sent their caps flying, becoming the most recent PPHS alumni.
Photos by Abigail Allen/The Post-Signal
