Cumberland Polytechnic marks ninth graduating class; 58 students receive diplomas

Cumberland Polytechnic High School held its ninth commencement exercise for the class of 2025, awarding diplomas to 58 graduates and featuring remarks from school and district leaders.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by Southview High School’s JROTC and the singing of the National Anthem by Zyanne Talaya Saunders, a graduate. Renea Pitts, senior class president, welcomed family and guests and introduced district and school leaders in attendance, including Cumberland County Schools Board Chair Deanna Jones and Superintendent Dr. Marvin Conley Jr.

The event mattered to attendees because it formally recognized the school’s graduating class and reiterated district protocols for graduations. Dr. Marvin Conley Jr. told graduates, “Today is more than just a graduation. It's a celebration of grit, sacrifice, and unstoppable determination.” He framed commencement as a milestone and urged the class to continue working toward long-term goals.

Salutatorian Evan Vassar reflected on classmates' shared experiences and the effort required to finish high school, saying, “We finally completed the first major milestone of many to come. Thank you.” Valedictorian Kensely Brooke Johnson urged graduates to look forward and embrace future opportunities, closing her remarks with, “We did it. We made it. Here's to you class of 2025. Make it a good one. Thank you.”

Principal Nyesha Witherspoon presented tokens of recognition: she said, “It's my honor to present each of you with a Cumberland County Schools Challenge coin, a token of your exceptional dedication to academic excellence.” The coins were distributed to graduating students immediately before the diploma presentation.

Cumberland County Schools policy 4304 was read aloud during the ceremony. The policy states that graduations shall be secure and distraction-free; it authorizes school staff to escort seniors or guests causing a commotion from the ceremony and allows schools to withhold diplomas unless the superintendent designates otherwise.

As the ceremony concluded, Dr. Conley invoked the authority of the state and the Department of Public Instruction to formally confer the diplomas, declaring the students the ninth graduating class of Cumberland Polytechnic High School and instructing them to turn their tassels.

Details recorded in the transcript include the class size (58 graduates), the names of the salutatorian (Evan Vassar) and valedictorian (Kensely Brooke Johnson), the presentation of colors by Southview High School JROTC, the National Anthem performance by Zyanne Talaya Saunders, and the district reading of CCS policy 4304. No formal district votes or policy changes were taken at the ceremony.

The ceremony closed after diplomas were distributed and the superintendent pronounced the class graduated; no follow-up actions or board motions were recorded during the event.