Saint Louis Public Schools confers diplomas at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy commencement; speaker urges graduates to ‘elevate’

Saint Louis Public Schools officials and community guests gathered at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy in St. Louis City for the Class of 2025 commencement, where school leaders confirmed that students had met state requirements and a keynote speaker encouraged graduates to set goals and persist.

The ceremony matters to families and the district because school leaders formally confirmed that students "have met all of the requirements by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education" and are "officially confirmed as graduates of Saint Louis Public Schools," administrators said at the close of the program.

Superintendent Dr. Millicent Borishadeh opened her remarks by congratulating the graduates and framing the ceremony around the theme printed on the program. "Elevate is more than just a word. It is the very spirit of this year's graduation," Borishadeh said, urging students to "Elevate your perspective" and to embrace ongoing learning and community engagement.

Guest speaker Caron Bolden, identified in the program as CEO of Bold Moves Agency and founder of the Bold Futures Foundation, delivered a motivational address that combined personal narrative with practical advice. Bolden summarized his approach as three steps and told the graduates, "Rock means believe. Paper means write it down." He added an exhortation against quitting: "Don't you dare quit. Don't you dare give up," and quoted advice he said he received: "great leaders never quit."

Principal Judine Kepler and other school staff led the program that included recognition of academic distinctions, pathway presentations and the announcement of the top 10 graduates by weighted grade point average. The ceremony named Jeremiah Hayes as valedictorian and Caitlin Mingo Williams as salutatorian; other students recognized among the top 10 included Sierra Hunter, Demia Hobbs, Maya Washington, Lily Hussein, Abel Vasquez Cambusano, Britney Patton, Angel Mimes and Naima Treadway Gray.

Teachers and pathway instructors called graduates by pathway for the diploma processional; the program noted that seniors participate in internships and pathway-based learning during their time at the academy. Families were asked to remain seated until the diploma distribution and recessional were complete.

At the close of the ceremony, district staff reiterated the formal certification: "So officially, these students have met all of the requirements by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ... and are officially confirmed as graduates of Saint Louis Public Schools." The school directed graduates to return to their preparation room to receive diplomas and to meet families in the front hallway after the recessional.

The ceremony featured multiple speakers from Saint Louis Public Schools and community partners, and highlighted the district theme and students' pathway achievements as the graduates prepare for postsecondary education, workforce entry and other next steps.