Mount Vernon High School held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025, during which the principal certified that the graduates met the requirements set by the Indiana State Board of Education and the Mount Vernon Community School Corporation board of trustees.

The principal (unnamed in the transcript) said, “by the powers vested in me by the state of Indiana as principal of Mount Vernon High School, I do hereby certify that the members of the class of 20 25 gathered in front of you here today have met all graduation and or certification requirements as established by the Indiana State Board of Education and the Mount Vernon Community School Corporation board of trustees.” The ceremony included introductions of district leaders, student speeches, musical performances and the traditional turning of tassels.

Why it matters: the principal’s certification affirms that graduates met the local and state requirements for diplomas and signals the formal completion of students’ high school programs under the authority cited.

After introductions of district officials and trustees, Aaron Humbaugh, the salutatorian, delivered a speech centered on the theme of “balance.” Humbaugh said, “Balance isn’t about having everything figured out or doing life perfectly. It’s about learning as you go, knowing when to push forward and when it’s okay to take a break.”

Valedictorian Vervian Wolston reflected on long-term school community ties and resilience: “These last 13 years have had many ups and downs and challenges and victories,” Wolston said, thanking peers, teachers and staff and encouraging classmates to “keep moving forward to your bright future.”

The program also featured musical selections by the school choir under the direction of Lee Anderson and the band under the direction of Dr. Catherine Spangler. District officials introduced onstage included Shannon Walls (president, Mount Vernon Board of School Trustees), Megan Britt (first vice president), Chad Gray (second vice president) and Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker.

The class officers — President Hannah Munro, Vice President Emerson Lusby, Secretary Alyssa Leonard and Treasurer Alex Biggs — led the traditional turning of tassels ceremony to mark the conferral of diplomas. The transcript recorded the principal’s certification and the ceremonial activities but did not record any additional formal board votes or policy actions during the event.

Less-critical details: members of the audience were asked to remain seated until rows were dismissed and to refrain from disruptive celebration during the roll call of graduates so each name could be heard. The ceremony concluded with graduates exiting past a receiving line of educators.