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Robert W. Groves High School certifies class of 2025, names salutatorian and valedictorian and presents teacher award
Summary
School officials certified the Robert W. Groves High School class of 2025 as graduates of the Savannah‑Chatham County Public School System, students gave speeches, the Educate Chatham Foundation presented a Most Inspirational Educator award, and administrators cited certifications, scholarships and college acceptances earned by the class.
School officials certified the Robert W. Groves High School class of 2025 as graduates of the Savannah‑Chatham County Public School System and recognized student honors and awards during commencement exercises for the class of 2025. Salutatorian Yalekha Santana Sanchez and valedictorian Sedania Fraser gave commencement remarks, and the Educate Chatham Foundation presented the Most Inspirational Educator award to teacher LaWanda Allen.
Dr. Robinson, a school official at Robert W. Groves High School, certified the graduates on behalf of the school system and the state. "I hereby declare by the power vested in me that the class of 2025 are graduates of the Savannah‑Chatham County Public School System," Dr. Robinson said as he formally conferred the diplomas.
In prepared remarks introduced by the school, salutatorian Yalekha Santana Sanchez reflected on family challenges and resilience, saying the day "is a momentous occasion" and thanking teachers and supporters for helping the class reach graduation. Valedictorian Sedania Fraser reviewed honors and community work and offered the quotation she cited as a favorite: "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist. That is all," attributing the line to Oscar Wilde.
Kyle Redner, a member of the Educate Chatham Foundation board of directors, presented the foundation's Most Inspirational Educator award and announced the recipient: LaWanda Allen. "On behalf of the board of directors of the Educate Chatham Foundation, it's my privilege to present the Most Inspirational Educator award for Groves High School to Ms. LaWanda Allen," Redner said.
During remarks, Dr. Robinson cited the class's career and academic credentials as reported to the audience: 16 graduates with OSHA 10 certifications; eight graduates with aviation maintenance certifications and six who had signed employment contracts with Gulfstream Aerospace; 10 Microsoft Office certifications; eight financial‑services certifications; 11 certified logistics associates; 12 certified self‑serve managers; one cybersecurity certification; 16 TWIC cards; two military enlistments; 19 honor graduates; four superintendent award recipients; more than 65 college acceptances; and in excess of $780,000 in collegiate scholarships. Those figures were presented to the audience by school officials during the ceremony.
The ceremony included customary safety announcements, the presentation of colors, the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance, student speeches, the presentation of the teacher award and the official conferral of diplomas. Following the certification, graduates moved their tassels as directed by school officials to mark the conferral of degrees.
The events and announcements reported at the ceremony were presented by school and district officials; the certification was made under the authority of the Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Education and the Board of Education of the State of Georgia.
