William Campbell Combined School honors top seniors and JP Stevens award winners

Under the bright lights of the William Campbell High School auditorium, excitement filled the air as the class of 2025 gathered for their graduation ceremony. The atmosphere buzzed with pride and anticipation as the top seniors were recognized for their hard work and achievements.

The ceremony began with the announcement of the top ten seniors, a moment that brought cheers and applause from family and friends. Clayson Carter took the stage as the tenth-ranked senior, followed by Jalen Williams, Lillian Puckett, Megan Hamlet, Dylan Nelson, Alyssa Kinnan, Amy Luquez Ruiz, Ethan Walden, salutatorian Cullen Whitmore, and finally, valedictorian Kayla Hudgins. Each student stood proudly on stage, embodying the dedication and perseverance that defined their high school journey.

In addition to recognizing the top students, the ceremony honored the recipients of the prestigious JP Stevens awards. This tradition, which began in 1987, celebrates seniors who have excelled in various academic and artistic disciplines. Cullen Whitmore, the salutatorian, was awarded for mathematics, while valedictorian Kayla Hudgins received the award for science. Other recipients included Madeleine Talbert for English, Amy Luquez Ruiz for fine arts, Savaria Charlton for vocational education, Ethan Walden for history, Delaney Burton for music, and Cheyenne Bottomley for world language. Each award winner was met with applause, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the school community.

The ceremony also recognized honor graduates, distinguished by their yellow cords, who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout their high school years. As their names were called, the audience held their applause, creating a moment of collective recognition for these dedicated students.

As the ceremony unfolded, it became clear that the class of 2025 was not just celebrating their academic achievements but also the friendships and memories forged during their time at William Campbell High School. With each name called and each award presented, the graduates were reminded of the bright futures that lay ahead, filled with promise and opportunity.