Terry Sanford High School graduates Class of 2025; speakers urge resilience

Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville held its 112th commencement June 4, 2025, with school leaders, district officials and student speakers urging the Class of 2025 to persevere through setbacks and value community ties.

The ceremony opened with recognition of members of the Cumberland County Board of Education and several district leaders seated on stage. Deanna Jones, chair of the Cumberland County Board of Education, and Judy Musgrave, vice chair, were listed among trustees in attendance. Dr. Marvin Conley Jr., superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, and several associate superintendents and cabinet members were also acknowledged on stage.

Senior class president China Chambers addressed classmates and guests, reflecting on the senior year and encouraging graduates to "keep climbing, keep believing, and never forget how far you've come." Co-valedictorians Andrew Hejko and Flora McCray each spoke about savoring the present and responding to adversity. Hejko urged graduates to prioritize real connections, saying, "There's no substitute for real connection." McCray said, "The only way to respond to our adversity is to try, to care, to be determined, and not to stray too far from the moral path that your supporters have instilled in you." Student body president Brock West recalled collective moments and called on classmates to "carry this pride with you."

Principal Dr. Katherine Abraham Johnson urged graduates not to let setbacks define them. "Do not let your setbacks define you. Instead, let it refine you," she said, adding that resilience — getting back up after being knocked down — matters more than perfection.

The ceremony included administrative remarks listing district and school officials onstage, instructions to the audience to remain quiet while graduates were called, and a note in the printed program that italicized names indicate students who received a legacy pin recognizing parents, grandparents or great-grandparents who attended Terry Sanford. After the class roster and recognition of candidates, a ceremony official said, "By the power vested in me through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Cumberland County Schools, I now pronounce you graduates of Terry Sanford High School." Attendees were then instructed that graduates may turn their tassels to the left.

The program closed with a request that families and guests refrain from applause during name calls so all families can hear their students' names and with an invitation for seniors to present a commemorative flower to someone who supported them.