70 First High School awards diplomas to Centennial Class of 2025; students earn more than $1.4 million in scholarships

Principal James Blue declared the Centennial Class of 2025 of 70 First High School officially graduated during a commencement ceremony on campus, noting the class had amassed "over $1,400,000 worth of scholarships" to support students' postsecondary plans.

The ceremony included remarks from salutatorian Isabel Guevara and valedictorian Julian Wilkerson, musical selections by the Falcon Singers and the individual presentation of diplomas by school staff. Dr. Marvin Conley Jr., superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, and multiple school board members and central-office administrators were recognized onstage but did not give commencement addresses in the portions of the program recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: The scholarship total cited by Principal James Blue represents a concrete measure of postsecondary resources available to the graduating seniors and is a central takeaway for families and students planning next steps.

Principal James Blue opened and closed the ceremony. In his closing remarks he urged graduates to "Soar high and fly proud." He also announced the scholarship total, saying the class had accumulated "over $1,400,000 worth of scholarships." Blue presided as diplomas were presented individually by presenters listed in the program and by school staff, and he formally declared the students graduates "by the power vested in me in the State of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction." After the diplomas were conferred, students were instructed to turn their tassels and recess from the ceremony.

Isabel Guevara, identified in the program as salutatorian, addressed classmates and urged them to be authentic and support one another. Guevara said, "You got this," and told classmates, "Never let anyone convince you to follow a crowd. Be who you want to be."

Valedictorian Julian Wilkerson framed his remarks around perseverance, urging classmates to "keep fighting" and to hold to three principles he named: "determination, distinction, and destiny." Wilkerson also quoted scripture in closing, saying, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Both student speakers thanked teachers, family members and coaches who supported them.

The Falcon Singers, directed by Yuna Kim, performed the musical selections included in the program, and the school presented the alma mater before the diploma presentation. The principal and teachers named in the program — including Diana Bradley and Charles Hall, who served as graduate presenters — participated in handing out diplomas.

The ceremony is the 100th graduating class for 70 First High School, a milestone noted by speakers and in program references during the event. The transcript of the ceremony records the reading of many graduates' names and the formal declaration of graduation; it does not record any legislative or policy actions by the Cumberland County Schools board during the event.

The graduating class was dismissed with a recessional following the presentation of diplomas.