On the evening of June 3, Firelands High School hosted its 71st Commencement Ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. The event was filled with pride, reflection, and community spirit as students, families, faculty, and guests gathered to mark the milestone.
The ceremony opened with a processional led by Junior Honors escorts Maxwell Dugan and Michael Lee. Principal Catherine Keener welcomed the crowd, followed by remarks from Superintendent Mike Von Gunten and members of the Firelands Local School District Board of Education, including President Tom Myers, Vice President Ellen Gundersen, and board members Dan Pycraft, Ben Gibson, and Myles Grumpke.
Class President Aiden Bokulich, who graduated summa cum laude and will attend Brown University to study computer science and business economics, addressed his peers with humor and gratitude. He was introduced by Principal Keener, who praised his numerous academic and artistic achievements, including national honors in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Vice President Telaysia Kraus, who will attend Oberlin College to major in sociology, delivered a speech encouraging her classmates to face life’s challenges with courage and compassion. She was followed by senior speakers Isabel Bermudez and Mia Streby. Bermudez, attending Cleveland State University, reflected on the value of putting oneself out there and making connections. Valedictorian Mia Streby, who graduated with a 4.603 GPA, shared insights on adaptability, perseverance, and the importance of curiosity as she prepares to attend Miami University’s Farmer School of Business.
The ceremony included several moments of recognition. Students were honored for academic excellence, with gold, silver, and black stoles denoting summa cum laude (4.0+ GPA), magna cum laude (3.75–3.99 GPA), and cum laude (3.5–3.74 GPA) distinctions. Forty students received Honors Diplomas from the State of Ohio.
Eleven graduates earned associate degrees or certificates through Lorain County Community College via the College Credit Plus program. Combined, the Class of 2025 earned 2,591 college credits, saving families over $1.16 million in future tuition costs. Seniors were also awarded more than $62,000 in local scholarship funds.
Superintendent Von Gunten delivered a motivational speech using the parable of a donkey who escapes a well by shaking off dirt thrown on his back—a metaphor for resilience. He gave a nod to Taylor Swift, reminding students that sometimes “you need to shake it off and move forward.”
A deeply emotional moment came when the school honored the memory of two classmates: Kevin Connery, who passed away in 2020, and Rhianne King, who died in a 2023 house fire. A moment of silence was observed in their honor, and their names were acknowledged as part of the ceremony’s close.
Following the distribution of diplomas, the ceremony concluded with the alma mater, senior song, and the traditional turning of the tassel, led by class officers: President Aiden Bokulich, Vice President Telaysia Kraus, Secretary Kendal Fleming, and Treasurer Ethan Meszaros.
As the graduates exited to cheers and applause, they left not only with diplomas, but with the enduring support of the Firelands community. No matter where life takes them next, they carry with them the lessons, friendships, and spirit that define what it means to be a Falcon. Once a Falcon, always a Falcon.
