News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Valedictorians Andrew Budnick and Aubrey Kowalski are seen walking up to the stage with their peers on Friday evening. The 2025 Posen High School graduation was held outside on the track with family, friends, and supporters watching the ceremony from the bleachers.

POSEN — The Posen High School graduating class of 2025 celebrated receiving their diplomas with an audience of many friends, family, and supporters on Friday evening.

Michelle Wesner, superintendent and principal of Posen Consolidated Schools, welcomed the class of 2025 and began the ceremony by telling the graduates to take risks and to not be afraid of failure.

“We all fail and none of us are perfect,” Wesner said. “You grow, and you learn from those failures, so take a chance.”

Wesner also noted the unique flexibility of the graduating class when it came to changes within their high school careers, saying that the graduates handled everything with ease.

“Your journey hasn’t been easy the past few years,” Wesner said. “I’ve asked a lot of you. Lots and lots of changes. And you handled them well. It was never a thing for you guys. You were like, ‘All right. Yep. No problem. What’s next?’ I love that about you! You need to take that with you everywhere.”

Wesner invited both Valedictorians, Andrew Budnick and Aubrey Kowalski, to the stage to address their peers, family, and friends, along with faculty and staff.

Kowalski began her speech by reflecting on the hard work that she and her peers put in to reach this milestone in their lives. She also explained what the journey has meant to the graduating class.

“It was about showing up day after day and doing the work … It was about figuring out how to manage deadlines, expectations, and the occasional group project that tested our teamwork,” Kowalski said.

Kowalski thanked the faculty and staff that guided her class.

“To the teachers and staff, you’ve been the constant in this ever changing world of ours,” Kowalski said. “Thank you for pushing us when we needed it the most.”

Valedictorian Budnick took the stage to address his peers and the audience. Budnick began by welcoming and thanking all those who attended the ceremony, stating that their presence that evening was indicative of the guidance it took to get the class to the graduation stage.

“It’s yet another example of how you all supported us and helped us to get to this point,” Budnick said. “Thank you all for being there for us every day. To our teachers, support staff, coaches, and everyone who contributed to our successful path to right now, thank you for being our school family. Thank you for being you.”

After Budnick, Salutatorian Landon Burgess took the stage to give his speech.

“First of all, to my fellow graduates, this is the end of the chapter for us,” Burgess said. “And also a new chapter for us. New beginnings and new adventures await.”

Before the class received their diplomas, Kristin Bedard addressed the graduating class and shared anecdotes of each student, highlighting their best qualities, while also offering advice.

To the entire class, Bedard advised them to always strive to become their best selves.

“I want you to be someone that you’re proud of to see in the mirror,” Bedard said. “Someone who sees the best in yourself. At times, if you don’t, if you see yourself as poor, be OK with that, too. Because I’m going to share a secret with you. You can start over.”

After the class received their diplomas, Wesner closed out the ceremony with final remarks.

The class color was pink and their class flower was rose.Their class motto was “Everybody dies, but not everyone lives,” and their class song was “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog.

In all, 17 Posen High School seniors were listed as candidates for graduation in the commencement program. Several students received honors and three were National Honor Society members.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.