Rutland High School celebrates class of 2025 with over $3M in scholarships awarded

The Rutland High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 took place on May 28, 2025, celebrating the achievements of students and marking a significant milestone in their educational journey. The event was characterized by heartfelt acknowledgments from faculty and staff, emphasizing the community spirit and pride in the students' accomplishments.

The principal opened the ceremony with a warm message, expressing gratitude for the time spent with the students and encouraging them to remember their identity as Hurricanes. Acknowledgment of student achievements was a central theme, with various groups recognized for their contributions, including senior class officers, student council members, athletes, and participants in extracurricular activities.

A notable highlight was the announcement of over $3 million in scholarships earned by the graduating class, showcasing their academic and extracurricular excellence. Students who qualified for the Hope scholarship and those pursuing military service or entering the workforce were also recognized for their future endeavors.

Several prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony. Xanthia Brazil was named the Reach Scholar, while Ryan Rogers received the CTAE Student of the Year award. The Golden Eagle Awards recognized students across various categories, including citizenship, athletics, and the arts.

The ceremony also honored the legacy of community figures through scholarships, including the Peyton Anderson Scholarship awarded to Garrett Roberts and the Al Lucas Memorial Scholarship given to Joan D'Aguilar. The Doctor Curtis L. Jones Leadership Award was presented to Ryan Rogers, further highlighting his leadership and academic success.

In a historic moment for Rutland High School, 66 students were recognized as honor graduates, the highest number in the school's history. The salutatorian for the class was Bridal Durden, while Garrett Roberts was celebrated as both the valedictorian and the star student, achieving the highest GPA and an impressive SAT score.

The ceremony concluded with inspiring messages from younger students, including fifth graders from Skyville Elementary and Porter Elementary, who expressed their admiration for the graduates and their aspirations to follow in their footsteps. The event encapsulated a sense of community pride and a hopeful outlook for the future, as the Class of 2025 embarks on their next chapters.