Hounds look for choices after commencement

FORT MADISON – The 2025 graduating class of Fort Madison High School was part of this country’s largest graduating class in history.
And now they’re off to make their own history.
Fort Madison Jr./Sr. High Principal Patrick Lamb started the commencement telling the class they were part of the nation’s largest comprehensive graduating class.
“I saw a statistic earlier this week that said this class, the graduating class of 2025, is the largest graduating class in the history of the United States. So, congratulations on being a part of history,” Lamb said.
Lamb thanked friends and families for their support of this year’s graduating class.
“We gather to celebrate the achievements and successes of our graduating students. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your tremendous support and encouragement throughout this journey,“ he said.
“Your presence here today is a testament to the love, dedication, and belief you have shown in our graduates as they have worked tirelessly to reach this significant milestone.”
Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater congratulated the Class of 2025 and then talked about new beginnings.
“What will you do? Where will your decisions take you? New beginnings,” she said.
“Once you begin, you will have more choices and more decisions that will create your own individual path. You will meet so many people on your path. What will you think of them? What will they think of you? New beginnings.
“We often hear people say, ‘I don't care what people think’. This isn't about conforming or being afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It’s quite the opposite. It's about what kind of person you are going to be as you go out and you pursue your goals. New beginnings.”

She then challenged the graduates to take the opportunity of a new beginning and make the most of it, whether it be a new job, vocational school, military, or college. She said the constant in new beginnings is the individual.
“If you are here today, you've made the right step and the right choices. Make the most of it. We are proud of you, and we can't wait to see what each of you do with your new beginning,” she said.
The 2025 Class Valedictorian was Katelyn Sissell. Sissell said as a child she often wondered what her life would be like. She said she remembered looking up to high school students and football and basketball games wanting to sit in the student sections. She said in 7^th grade she finally felt like one of those cool kids.
“I finally felt like I was figuring out my life. Towards the end of the same year, the biggest life challenge hit all of us on March 13 of 2020,” she said. “The COVID pandemic changed everything. Once we passed the quarantine, it felt like all my knowledge of the world went down the drain.”
Sissell said everyone handled the pandemic in different ways, but they all entered the building as freshmen the same way four years ago. High School became the place where they could all expand their wings and learn to fly.
The Salutatorian was Brylie Lorence.
Senior Class President Ethan Huffman reflected on his 5^th grade self and remembered wondering if he would ever beat Julian Dear in a race, or dunk a basketball, or be the most popular kid. He said he never got to those, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort that was required to get to the stage on Sunday.
“Even if I still can’t dunk a basketball, I’ve been able to accomplish things the 5^th grade me wouldn’t have dreamed of. It’s made me proud of what I’ve become and even more proud of being a part of this class,” Huffman said.
School Board President Josh Wykert said the 18 years is finally over and now is the time to choose.
“We hope you choose to live your values,” he said. “We hope you choose to connect. In a world that is virtual-everything, there’s no substitute for real people, real community, real conversation, and real connection.”
The district graduated 159 seniors.