Dunnellon salutatorian and valedictorian urge classmates to persevere and give thanks

Kayla Tavares Massey, Dunnellon High's salutatorian, and Yudel Enrique Arguezo Fernandez, the valedictorian, each addressed the Class of 2025 during the commencement ceremony, thanking families and staff and urging classmates to persevere as they leave high school.

"I am Kayla Tavares Massey, this year's salutatorian," Massey said, thanking her parents, teachers and principal and recalling activities and struggles that shaped her class. She told classmates, "Your will power and dedication is. And if you want something, all you have to do is go and chase it." Massey also noted she is graduating with a 4.75 GPA and has completed an Associate of Arts degree from the College of Central Florida.

Valedictorian Yudel Enrique Arguezo Fernandez spoke about overcoming challenges after arriving in the United States as a child and thanked teachers and family members who supported him. "We all experience struggles and obstacles that seem impossible. But I can say I can proudly say that I never gave up," he said, urging classmates to keep dreaming and to carry lessons learned at Dunnellon into the future.

Both student speakers emphasized gratitude to teachers and families and the importance of persistence as graduates move on to college, the workforce, the military or other next steps.