Lebanon High School officials certified the class of 2025 as having met graduation requirements and presented the list of students recommended for diplomas during the school’s commencement ceremony, school leaders said.

Dr. Millman, principal of Lebanon High School, told the audience that school staff had reviewed academic records before recommending students for graduation. “I can hereby certify that each has successfully completed all academic requirements set forth by the state of Indiana and by the Lebanon Community School Corporation board of trustees, thereby qualifying them to receive a high school diploma,” Dr. Millman said.

The certification was accepted on behalf of the district by the superintendent of schools for the Lebanon Community School Corporation, who told graduates they were declared alumni. “Therefore, by the authority conferred to me by the Lebanon Community School Corporation board of trustees and through my authority designated to me by the state of Indiana, I declare you graduated with all of the respect, entitlements, and rights due to all graduates of Lebanon High School,” the superintendent said.

Why it matters: The principal’s certification and the superintendent’s formal declaration complete the district’s administrative review that makes students eligible to receive diplomas. For graduates and families, those steps mark the formal end of students’ high school coursework and district — and state — verification that requirements were met.

At the ceremony, student honors and traditions were highlighted. Salutatorian Claire Danielle Bowling (4.572 GPA) was introduced and acknowledged; the school announced she will attend Indiana University Indianapolis in the fall. Valedictorian Taylor Gray O’Brien (4.6 GPA) delivered a speech urging classmates to accept uncertainty as part of growth; O’Brien said, “I don’t truly know who I am, what makes me, me.”

The program included a memorial candle for classmate Keanna West, read as part of the ceremony remarks. Members of the graduating class also performed a traditional lighting of seven tapers representing cardinal principles of secondary education; the graduating class formally presented a seven‑branch candlestick emblem to representatives of the incoming senior class of 2026. Incoming senior class president Maya Michener accepted the emblem on behalf of the class of 2026 and said, “On behalf of the class of 2026, I received the 7 branch candlestick promising to comply with your request to light the tapers using the explanatory ritual on all public occasions when we assemble as a class.”

The ceremony included the pledge of allegiance led by members of the class who will enter military service and a full reading of the certified list of graduates by school staff. At the close of the presentation, graduates were instructed to change their tassels as the class was formally introduced as alumni.

The principal’s certification, the superintendent’s declaration, the reading of the certified names and the acceptance of the candlestick together constituted the formal elements of the commencement ceremony. No formal votes or policy changes were taken during the event.