Middletown High School honors Class of 2025; Principal Carmela Cotter announced retirement

Middletown High School held its commencement ceremony at the school stadium, where graduates of the class of 2025 were recognized for scholarships, college credits and career-readiness credentials, and where Principal Carmela Cotter — after 34 years with the district — was announced as retiring.

The ceremony featured remarks from Deborah Houser, superintendent of Middletown City Schools, who told graduates, "Tonight is more than a celebration. It's a launch." Student speakers highlighted school values and collective achievement: Gianna Bligeon, senior class president, told classmates, "We did it," and Sarah Daniels, student body president, urged them to carry the district's PRIDE values (performance, respect, integrity, determination, effort) forward.

Why this matters: the class' academic and career achievements reflect district programs aimed at college and workforce readiness. School leaders said graduates have earned more than $2,200,000 in scholarship and university offers, 15 students completed both a high school diploma and an associate degree through the Early College Academy at Miami University Middletown, and 140 students earned the Ohio Means Jobs readiness seal.

School leaders and students outlined the principal accomplishments and programs that shaped the class. Deborah Houser, superintendent of Middletown City Schools, praised the graduates' "grit, heart, and hope" and called the evening a launch into postsecondary life. The ceremony noted that this was the second cohort to complete the two-year Early College Academy at Miami University Middletown. The district recognized 15 students who also earned associate degrees and 36 students who finished with the highest cumulative averages and were announced as summa cum laude. Eighteen seniors received the State of Ohio honors diploma.

The ceremony also named students entering military service: Nathan Chupka (Navy), Danny Dawson (Army) and Michael Castro Diaz (Navy). District leaders listed partnerships and career-path supports tied to the career-readiness pathway, including Cooperations with Warren County and Butler Technology and more than 100 business partners that the district credited with helping provide industry credentials and workplace opportunities.

Carmela Cotter, principal of Middletown High School, delivered a final set of personal remarks and advice to graduates, urging them to "pursue your passion," "be prepared to put others first," "work hard at keeping your positive spirit," and "don't allow yourself to be less than who you are." The administration asked families to hold applause during diploma presentation so names could be heard; the board of education and school staff assisted in presenting diplomas.

The ceremony concluded with the official presentation of diplomas in accordance with district policy and the Ohio Department of Education requirements; graduates recessed from the stadium following the presentation.