SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Springfield High School held its commencement June 7 at the Kearns Auditorium, where Superintendent Gill certified that the Class of 2025 met the graduation requirements of Springfield Public Schools District 186 and the state of Illinois and recommended awarding diplomas.

The ceremony featured student speeches from class president Isha Ramkumar and valedictorian Ethan Bridal, a class address by Miracle Harrison and Luis Rivera Crowell, an announcement of the salutatorian, recognition of students entering the armed forces and academic awards, and the traditional turning of tassels.

"Today marks the beginning of the rest of our lives," Isha Ramkumar, class president, told graduates as she urged classmates to "strive for progress, not perfection." Valedictorian Ethan Bridal told classmates, "This is your cliff. Go grow some wings," closing his remarks with applause.

Class representatives Miracle Harrison and Luis Rivera Crowell delivered the class address. Harrison opened, "We did it," and Rivera Crowell described high school as "a launch pad for purpose," urging graduates to treat the diploma as the start of a broader journey.

Ryan Robinson, twelfth-grade assistant principal, and other school staff led the presentation of graduates and the ceremony program. Robinson introduced the valedictorian and salutatorian and called graduates forward alphabetically to receive recognition.

Superintendent Gill formally certified the class. "I certify that these graduates have fulfilled the graduation requirements of the Springfield Public Schools District 186 and the state of Illinois. And I hereby accept the class of 2025 and recommend that they be awarded their diplomas," Gill said.

The ceremony included a roll call of students who said they plan to enter military service. Students named during the ceremony who announced service included Addison Buhler (Army National Guard), Amelia Folks (Marines), Mavila Jimende (Air Force), Mara Webb Kiefer (Navy), Emma Markham (Army National Guard), Peyton Makes (Army), Miriam O'Brien (U.S. Naval Academy), Alan Rodriguez (Navy), Brandon Southern (Marines) and Journey White (Navy).

Administrators also noted extracurricular accomplishments: school officials said three school teams reached state competition this year in soccer, track and tennis, and the program announced individual awards during the ceremony (one student received the senator scholar award for biology).

The ceremony concluded with the alma mater and the traditional turning of tassels; graduates were directed to collect their official diplomas at the back of the Kearns Auditorium.

No formal board vote or external approvals were required for the certification; the superintendent's statement served as the administrative acceptance of graduation requirements for the class.