News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Rogers City High School 2025 Salutatorian Savannah Tulgestka addresses her classmates during graduation on Sunday. There are 47 graduates this year.

ALPENA — The 47 graduates from Rogers City High School Class of 2025 put a cap on their high school education at graduation on Sunday.

School district staff and several members of the class addressed the graduating class and told them to always cherish the time they spent together in school and although life will be filled with ups and downs moving forward, more memories, good and bad, will also be made.

Rogers City Area Schools Superintendent Nicholas Hein told his former students that when things go sour, to learn from uncomfortable situations and let them help them grow and learn. He said each graduate will have control over their destiny and to follow their dreams.

“You get to make mistakes and you learn from those experiences,” he said. “You get to make your own path and choose who is part of your life to create moments together that turn into memories. Never forget, this life goes by fast, so try to make every day what you want it to be. Don’t spend time worrying about what you can’t control and focus on what you can. Remember, your life and your memories are your story.”

Salutatorian Savannah Tulgestka thanked everyone who played a role in her education, high school sports career, and her upbringing. She also told her classmates that there will be hurdles that will need to be cleared as they move on from high school. She said it is important to not let the struggles of life bring them down, but to motivate them.

“The truth is, life is hard and the world isn’t perfect,” she said. “As we all step into the next chapter of our lives, with eagerness and excitement, we will soon realize that not everything goes according to plan. There will be moments when we fail — moments where you feel hopeless. If we are not careful, these moments could consume the light in each one of us. When we are met with a battle that we think we cannot win, remember God has a plan and that we all have purpose in this world.”

At the beginning at the ceremony, the seniors filed in in pairs to Pomp and Circumstance and once the seniors were seated, the Rogers City High School band played the Star-Spangled Banner. The band also played a rendition of the hit “Play that Funky Music” that was written by the band Wild Cherry in 1976.

Before the event ended, each of the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diploma, which was also accompanied with handshakes from school district officials and cheers from classmates.

Once the Class of 2025 was back in their seats, the graduates turned their tassels and exited the gym to enjoy their summer and begin the next chapter of their lives.