Middletown High honors Class of 2025; principal Carmela Cotter to retire

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown High School on Saturday celebrated its Class of 2025, honoring graduates who earned college credits, career-readiness credentials and more than $2.2 million in scholarship and university offers, while Principal Carmela Cotter was publicly acknowledged as retiring after more than 34 years in the district.

The ceremony, held at Middletown High School, featured remarks from Superintendent Deborah Hauser and student speakers Gianna Bligeon, Sarah Daniels, Jack Allen and Kenneth Green. Hauser congratulated graduates and praised Cotter’s long service, and multiple students reflected on the school’s PRIDE values: performance, respect, integrity, determination and effort.

Why it matters: The ceremony highlighted local K–12 pathways that combine high school and college coursework and career training. Officials noted that 15 graduates completed associate degree work, the second cohort finished the two‑year Early College Academy at Miami University Middletown, and 140 students earned the Ohio Means Jobs readiness seal, signaling workforce preparation alongside traditional diplomas.

Superintendent Deborah Hauser said the class “has shown grit, heart, and hope,” and noted the district is celebrating Cotter’s retirement after a long tenure in Middletown City Schools. Hauser told graduates, “Schools out. But your story is just beginning. Congratulations.”

Principal Carmela Cotter led the ceremony’s presentation of student honors and offered four pieces of advice to graduates: pursue passion, put others first, keep a positive spirit, and hold themselves accountable through hard work. Cotter addressed graduates near the close of the program and asked all members of the board of education to assist with diploma presentation.

Student leaders highlighted academic and extracurricular achievements. Gianna Bligeon, president of the senior class, said, “I am so proud of you guys,” and praised teachers who supported students. Sarah Daniels, student body president, framed her remarks around PRIDE, urging classmates to carry those values forward. Jack Allen, who said he attended Middletown City Schools since kindergarten, closed by saying, “Once a middy, always a mittie.”

School officials and the program called out specific recognitions: 15 students also earned associate degrees; 36 students were named summa cum laude for having the highest cumulative grade point averages; 18 seniors met requirements for the State of Ohio honors diploma; and members of the graduating class had been offered more than $2,200,000 in scholarships and university offers. Officials also noted career and technical partnerships with Warren County and Butler Technology and listed more than 100 business partners that support pathways including cybersecurity, forensics, agriculture and robotics.

The ceremony included musical performances by the Middletown High School band and a senior ensemble directed by Joseph Woodring. The Board of Education certified that all graduates present had met district policy and Ohio Department of Education requirements for graduation, then recessed the ceremony and invited family members to greet graduates outside the stadium.

Details and context: The program identified Board of Education members in attendance, including board President Dr. Chris Verso and Vice President Anita Scheibert, and district administrators including Treasurer Randy Bertram and senior directors for curriculum and student services. The diploma presentation followed district policy and the Ohio Department of Education’s standards for completion of the program of studies.

The ceremony emphasized both college and career readiness as formal pathways to graduation in Ohio and highlighted local programs that allow students to earn concurrent college credit and industry credentials before graduation.