With pride, applause, and the toss of over a hundred caps, Vermilion High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 on Sunday, June 1. The 134th Commencement Exercises began at 1:00 p.m. and featured heartfelt speeches, student performances, and special recognitions for academic excellence and military service.
The Vermilion High School Band, under the direction of Mrs. Kimberly Judd, opened the ceremony with Robert Sheldon’s “Willow Grove” and Clare Grundman’s arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The band also performed the National Anthem and closed the event with the Vermilion Alma Mater.
Class President and Valedictorian Joseph James Webb welcomed the crowd with a message focused on resilience and self-belief. “I realized that my ideas always started with ‘I could.’ The phrase has shaped my success in life. Everything that I could remember, the good, the bad, everything that I dreamed, I knew I could.” Webb also returned later in the ceremony to lead the traditional tassel turn and cap toss.
Student speaker Ava Marie Bennett offered three personal lessons to her classmates. First, “When people dismiss you, forget them. Don’t let their judgment dictate your decisions.” Second, “When you’re tired and want nothing more than to rest, keep pushing… because it’s in those final moments, when nobody’s watching and the applause hasn’t started yet, that greatness is made.” Her final piece of advice drew a round of laughter and applause. “Take the money and run. When life gives you an opportunity, even if it scares you, take it.”
Mr. Devon Snook, Mathematics Department Chair, delivered a warm and humorous faculty message. “They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, in Vermilion that task takes a whole cast of characters. Staff, coaches, and administration refer to you as our kids. Even when you test our patience like it’s an Olympic sport.” He concluded, “At the end of every day, you are our students. We worried about you, rooted for you, and celebrated every milestone. And somehow, you all made it.”
Principal Jennifer Bengele led multiple parts of the ceremony. She recognized the Top 10 academic students, announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, and delivered a tribute to graduating students entering military service.
Top 10 Academic Students:
Valedictorian: Joseph Webb
Salutatorian: Allison Traut
Terrence Anders
Sarah Beck
Erin Ellis
Nicholas Freeman
Daniel Grisel
Alexa Lyczkowski
Stephen Tang
Lauren Young
Assistant Principal John Lukasko presented the graduates. Superintendent Dr. David Hile joined Mrs. Bengele for the formal presentation of diplomas.
Student musicians Zane Christopher Lassen, Lia Jane Leimbach, Terrence Patrick Anders, and Isabella Lucila Urday performed musical selections throughout the ceremony.
As a class, the 2025 graduates marked a range of achievements and plans for the future. Of the 123 graduates, 64 percent plan to attend college. Nine percent will enroll in trade schools, 20 percent are entering the workforce, 4 percent are joining the military, and 3 percent remain undecided. Graduates accepted a combined total of $155,718.55 in scholarship awards.
