Dr. Mary Morris, principal of Alcona Middle School and Alcona High School, welcomed attendees prior to the class speakers taking the podium.

“To our entire school staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students throughout their journey,” Morris said. “Your dedication has helped shape the leaders, thinkers, and dreamers we honor today.”

Morris gave honest words of wisdom to the graduating seniors and attendees.

“You will face periods of grinding self-doubt and failure,” Morris said. “Be prepared to work through them. During these times, your confidence may waver and you might question your path. That’s normal. Don’t mistake struggle for lack of potential. Growth often looks like frustration, and success rarely comes without setbacks. Keep showing up. Ask for help when you need it. Learn from your mistakes, not just emotionally, but practically. Analyze what didn’t work, and adjust. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Baylee Goddard smiles after graduating during Alcona High School’s commencement ceremony on Friday night. Goddard, the class salutatorian, earned high honors, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a grade-point average of 3.9 to 4.0.

Morris encouraged the graduating seniors to keep working toward their goals.

“Remember, resilience isn’t about never falling down,” Morris added. “It’s about getting back up with more clarity and grit. The doubts don’t define you — how you respond to them does.”

Valedictorian and Class President Garett Somers spoke after Morris.

“To my class — It’s been an awesome ride,” Somers said. “My favorite part of being from a smaller school is the camaraderie that you build. We’ve all been together since kindergarten, and I can say that there’s no group that I’d rather be a part of, so thank you for making my school experience a great one.”

He expressed his gratitude for his classmates, friends, and teammates.

“I could not ask for a better group of people to grow up with, spend time with, and now graduate with,” Somers said. “So, thank you for all the fun times we’ve had, and all the memories you’ve helped me make.”

He then thanked his family for their support.

“To my parents and family, I would have not been able to do anything without you guys,” Somers said. “You help lift me up when I’m down, and help me strive to reach my goals. None of this would be possible without you, so thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

He told fellow graduating seniors to remember where they came from, no matter where they go.

“Everybody wanted to know what would happen if we didn’t graduate,” Somers said. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Salutatorian and Class Secretary Baylee Goddard addressed the crowd next.

She started by thanking supporters, especially the graduating seniors’ families for their unwavering support.

“Thank you to all of the teachers, staff, and coaches who taught us valuable life lessons that we will carry with us into the future,” Goddard said. “You all made our high school experiences memorable and pushed us to do our best, even when senioritis was kicking in.”

Goddard then addressed her classmates.

“These past four years have been interesting, to say the least,” Goddard said, “filled with moments of growth, laughter, challenges, and a ton of memories.”

She talked about burying a time capsule in eighth grade and thinking graduation was so far away at the time.

“Every little moment made these years unforgettable,” Goddard said. “But now it’s time to look ahead. This is just the beginning. What comes next is entirely up to us, and that’s both exciting and a little scary. Your life a year from now will be a result of what you do right now, so act accordingly … Strive to make your life the best it can be.”

The Class of 2025 motto is “Part of the journey is the end.” Yellow is their class color, the red tiger lily is the class flower, and “Pink Skies” by Zach Bryan is the class song.

Sixty-one Alcona seniors were listed as candidates for graduation in the commencement program, with many students earning honors.