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E. E. Smith High School celebrates Class of 2025; valedictorian speaks on identity
Summary
E. E. Smith High School held its commencement ceremony where student speakers, school leaders and Cumberland County Board of Education representatives recognized graduates, presented awards and formally pronounced the Class of 2025 graduated.
E. E. Smith High School held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025, with Principal Larry Parker Jr. and Cumberland County Schools leaders onstage and the principal pronouncing the graduates officially graduated by authority of the Cumberland County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connolly Jr.
The ceremony featured student remarks from third honor graduate Alana Smith Boston, salutatorian Toria Council and valedictorian Gray Bird. Gray Bird, who identified as transgender during the address, told classmates, “I am transgender,” and urged students from difficult circumstances to strive for success. Principal Larry Parker Jr. told graduates, “Who you are is already enough.”
The event included the presentation of colors by a Junior ROTC unit and a musical selection by the E. E. Smith Symphonic Band and the Golden Singers, led by Monique McLeod. The faculty presented two annual senior awards: the E. E. Miller Leadership Award to student body president Jaden Pickford and the Cora L. Thompson Challenge Cup to Toria Council. Principal Parker introduced board members and district administrators seated onstage and asked families to rise quietly when graduates’ names were called to preserve the ceremony’s dignity.
During remarks, speakers thanked teachers, counselors and family supports and announced several students’ postsecondary plans: Alana Smith Boston said she will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to study nursing; Toria Council said she will attend North Carolina A&T State University to study biology; and Gray Bird said they will attend Davidson College to major in psychology. Third honor graduate Alana Smith Boston said “all 230 of us” are destined for greatness; that class-size figure was cited during her remarks.
Near the conclusion of the program, Principal Parker said, “By the power vested in me by the Cumberland County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connolly Jr., I now pronounce the class of 2025 graduated,” after which graduates were instructed to turn their tassels. The ceremony closed with a recessional.
The program included a roll call of graduates by name and brief musical and choral performances. The school and district officials present were introduced to the audience by name and role from the dais.
