Connect Academy awards diplomas to Class of 2025; Deputy Superintendent Mike Metcalfe delivers farewell remarks

Connect Academy held its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony in the school auditorium, where faculty presented diplomas and student speakers celebrated the class’s resilience and adaptability in virtual learning. Dr. Mike Metcalfe, deputy superintendent of Moore County Schools, delivered the ceremony’s keynote and spoke about changes in education over his 30-plus year career.

The ceremony highlighted students’ academic recognitions and postsecondary plans. Monica Wall Proud, valedictorian with a reported 4.45 GPA, said she will attend NC State University in the fall. The program also named a salutatorian (identified in the program as Alisa; last name not specified) and noted the school’s tradition of presenting a tree to the valedictorian and salutatorian to plant and watch grow alongside the graduates’ lives.

Why it matters: speakers and program staff framed the ceremony as recognition of academic milestones and of skills students developed through virtual learning, including time management, digital literacy and self-discipline—attributes school leaders and students said will prepare graduates for college, careers and other next steps.

Monica Wall Proud, identified as the class valedictorian and a member of the National Honor Society, reflected on the moment and urged classmates to embrace opportunity, saying, “Each of us is going to achieve wonderful things in our lives and I congratulate you all on taking this leap of faith into your futures.” The salutatorian (Alisa, last name not provided), who earned a Sandhills Community College certification in Emergency Medical Science and NC scholar and endorsement recognitions, told classmates, “We did it and I have no doubt that we will continue to do incredible things.”

Dr. Mike Metcalfe, deputy superintendent of Moore County Schools and a guest speaker who said he will retire in a matter of weeks after more than 30 years in education, framed the graduates’ experience as distinct from earlier generations’ and urged them to use the digital and adaptive skills they have developed. “You have become agile learners, comfortable with ambiguity, and adept at navigating the ever evolving digital landscape,” Metcalfe said. He closed, “Congratulations class of 2025. The future is yours to learn, to shape, and to conquer. Go get it done.”

The program recognized additional student achievements: Faith Polk was introduced as the top CTE scholar, completing 13 career and technical education courses, earning two Sandhills Community College certifications in business and entrepreneurship, and receiving a bronze on her WorkKeys assessment; several other students were noted as enlisting in the U.S. Army or National Guard in the printed program and during the diplomas reading. Staff who participated in the ceremony included Principal Ms. Burr, Assistant Principal Micaela Smith, counselor Kristen Garner, and teachers Christina Speiser, Mrs. Lynch, and Tracy Daveault. Provision Ace Hardware of Southern Pines donated plants for the stage program, the principal said.

Ceremony logistics and formalities followed school practice: the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem were performed (pledge led by Faith Polk; anthem sung by Meredith Martin, a Pine Crest High School student), a moment of silence was observed, and graduates were instructed to remain seated until recessional. The principal conferred graduation “by the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina,” after which students moved their tassels and recessed.

The ceremony combined celebratory remarks, student reflections on the particular challenges and opportunities of virtual schooling, and recognition of academic honors and postgraduation plans. No policy decisions, votes, or budgetary actions were part of the event.