West Cabarrus High School held a commencement ceremony for its fourth graduating class, the Class of 2025, with student speakers, school leaders and members of the Cabarrus County School Board in attendance.

The ceremony featured three student speakers who reflected on perseverance, purpose and community. Sydney Ryan Askew, student body president, urged classmates to value the present and each other, saying, "Don't let this country or anyone silence your voice." Kennedy Walker said he will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and described his plans to major in biology with a pre‑med track. Maynor Hernandez told graduates, "You can do it," and led attendees in a brief prayer asking for guidance and protection for the Class of 2025.

Why it matters: school leaders and students described the Class of 2025 as the first cohort to spend all four years in the new West Cabarrus High School building and noted the class helped establish school traditions. Principal Aquanetta Edmond highlighted student achievements in athletics, band, theater and academic clubs and said students had pursued multiple post‑secondary options during the year through college visits and career events.

At the ceremony the district recognized student accomplishments and opportunities. The program included musical performances by the West Cabarrus chorus under the direction of Kierston Maley and a listing of graduating students called aloud by school staff. Edmond told graduates the school emphasized three choices for their next steps — "enroll, enlist, employ" — and urged them to make a choice and pursue it.

Several students and staff drew attention to inclusion efforts. Sydney Askew noted the creation of school traditions and welcomed members of Best Buddies; two students who participate in that program addressed the audience briefly to affirm belonging. The principal credited departmental awards, scholarships and extracurricular successes in building school culture.

The ceremony concluded when school officials pronounced the students graduates and instructed them to turn their tassels, after which graduates recessed from the arena. Attendees were asked to meet graduates in front of the arena following the recessional.

Attendance and participants: the ceremony included student speakers Sydney Ryan Askew, Kennedy Walker and Maynor Hernandez; Principal Aquanetta Edmond; chorus director Kierston Maley; members of the Cabarrus County School Board and district office staff who were introduced during the program. A full roll call of graduates was read aloud during the program.