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Herschel V. Jenkins High School confers diplomas on 281 graduates; class earns about $5 million in scholarships
Summary
Herschel V. Jenkins High School held commencement for the Class of 2025, certifying 281 graduates, presenting an Educate Chatham Foundation $1,000 inspirational‑educator grant to Coach Brooker, and noting roughly $5 million in scholarship offers to graduates. Valedictorian Hart Teter and salutatorian Liam McDaniel delivered speeches.
Herschel V. Jenkins High School conferred diplomas on 281 students at a commencement ceremony, and Principal Dr. Durham declared that the graduates had met the requirements of the Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Education and the Board of Education of the State of Georgia.
The principal highlighted the class's academic and extracurricular accomplishments, saying the graduates had earned “approximately $5,000,000 in scholarships,” multiple diploma seals and pathway recognitions, and athletic honors. The Educate Chatham Foundation presented the senior‑selected Inspirational Educator award; Kyle Retner of the foundation presented a $1,000 grant to Coach Brooker.
The ceremony opened with administrative remarks and safety instructions and included speeches by senior class officers and student honorees. Liam McDaniel, the class salutatorian, listed his academic awards and volunteer work and said, “The keys are in our hands,” urging classmates to take responsibility as they leave high school. Hart Teter, the class valedictorian, quoted Muhammad Ali and encouraged graduates to “make the days count” as they move on to college, the military, or the workforce.
Principal Dr. Durham summarized class achievements announced at the ceremony: 281 candidates for graduation; multiple diploma seals (including two fine arts seals and two international diploma seals); civic engagement and distinguished‑pathway recognitions; 45 School of Engineering graduates; 33 Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathway completers who earned dual enrollment credits; four National Guard scholarships awarded with seven students enlisted in the Army National Guard; and 10 athletic signees. Dr. Durham singled out state and regional athletic accomplishments and noted the robotics team’s statewide participation and a sustainability award.
Kyle Retner of the Educate Chatham Foundation presented the Inspirational Educator award chosen by the senior class. Retner described the foundation’s role supporting teachers and community engagement; Coach Brooker accepted the award and recognition in the platform ceremony.
The principal formally certified the class under the authority of the Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Education and the Board of Education of the State of Georgia and instructed graduates to move their tassels from right to left. The ceremony closed with school traditions and the singing of the alma mater.
