On Sunday, May 18, 108 graduating seniors from the class of 2025 walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at Abilene High School’s commencement ceremony.
“We have a very diverse group of people, with some going into the military, college, or going straight into work,” said graduate Reese Jackson.In front of a packed gymnasium, Dr. Ben Smith, AHS principal recognized retiring staff members from across the Abilene school district for their years of service, including Denise Liby, who taught elementary for 38 years and received the Teacher of the Year Award in 2002 and 2015, Casey Callis, Kim Funston, Deborah Roth, Brian Roth, and Mark Willey. Also amongst those retiring was Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mr. Burton who served at AHS since 1994 when he was hired as a math teacher.
Dr. Smith invited Mr. Burton to give a final address to the seniors and welcomed Burton to the podium while cueing a thank you video from students and staff, thanking Burton for his 31 years of service and personal impact he has had on Abilene High School which followed with a standing ovation.
As the crowd quieted, Mr. Burton began by displaying a toolbox on stage and used the prop to compare life’s challenges to the evolving tools we gather through education and experience.
“Every carpenter knows that the more tools you have, the more complex jobs you can tackle,” Burton said, “ the more tools added to your toolbox, more knowledge added to your brain, the more capabilities you have to solve problems, overcome obstacles, and prosper.”
He urged graduates to continue growing through both formal and informal learning.
“Talk to elders and children… attend community forums, explore hobbies, travel… These are all forms of informal education,” Burton said.
The ceremony also featured a speech from National Honor Society President Madelyn Burns. Her message centered on identity and gratitude.
“Let your identity be about who you are and your character, not what you do or what you have done,” Berns said, “surround yourself with people who encourage, share your values, build you up instead of tear you down.”
She gave heartfelt thanks to the educators and supporters of the Abilene Public School System.
“Looking back at the past few years, we see all the people who guided us to this point. Take a moment to thank your family, both blood related and not. You’ve all touched our lives in some way, and I hope you’re proud of who we are becoming,” Burns said.
Eisenhower Citizenship Awards were given awarded to Zoe Cox and Braden Simpson, and the Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award was presented to Reese Jackson.
Valedictorians earning a 4.0 GPA were Kambree Bryson, Madelyn Burns, Arissa Cathey, Zoe Cox, Aaron Hartman, Renatta Heintz, Reese Jackson, Thomas Keener, Weston Rock, Allison Rose, Caden Thacker, and Joseph Welsh.
