News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Class of 2025 Valedictorian Autumn Lis walks into the gymnasium at the Hillman High School commencement ceremony on Thursday night.

HILLMAN — Hillman’s Class of 2025 gathered one last time Thursday night to celebrate their achievements in a heartfelt ceremony.

Hillman seniors processed into the Hillman High School gymnasium to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the high school band. There were 30 graduates in the Class of 2025.

Class President and Valedictorian Autumn Lis welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony.

Next, Salutatorian Agnese Bonafiglia addressed the graduates and audience.

“We are here to prove that intellectual rigor and tenderness can coexist, that conviction and curiosity are not at odds, and that the life of the mind is incomplete without the life of the heart,” she said.

Jack Sobey introduced the commencement address speaker, Jerrod Villarreal, a Hillman graduate, husband, father, grandfather, and lineman for Alpena Power Company.

He spoke about the importance of choice.

“Be brave, be confident, and be inquisitive about those opportunities,” he said.

Lis returned to the podium to give the valedictorian address. She thanked her friends, family, teachers, and community members for getting her here today.

“Try new things and make those unforgettable memories,” she said, addressing her fellow graduates.

She encouraged the graduates to adventure out and explore the world, but to always remember that Hillman is a place they can return to.

“I want you to know that there will always be the little town of Hillman to come back to,” Lis said.

Sydney Klein and Neila Sweet gave a heartfelt tribute to the parents of the Class of 2025.

“Thank you for being our biggest supporters,” Klein said.

“You’ve taught us what love looks like in action,” Sweet said.

Graduates then went out into the crowd to spend a moment with their loved ones. Tears were shed as the graduates embraced their family members.

The Hillman band played the Seniors’ Last Song before Junior/Senior High School Principal Kayla Nichols presented the graduates.

A few remarks were made by Superintendent Pamela Rader.

“Take this in,” she said. “This is the last time you’re going to sit here as a student.”

She told the students that if they ever need a soft place to land, they can always reach out to the staff at Hillman.

“We’ll be right here cheering you on as you go,” she said.

Finally, the graduates came to the moment they’d been waiting for since their first day of high school. Each graduate walked across the stage one by one, received their diploma, and turned their tassel, to a round of applause and cheers from the audience.

After all graduates received their diplomas, the lights went out in the gymnasium and a slide show rolled, showing pictures of the Class of 2025 through their years spent at Hillman.

Graduates Izzy Domhoff and Ellah DeBuque gave closing remarks.

The graduates processed out of the gymnasium as the band played.

Hillman’s Class of 2025 chose orange, black, and white hydrangeas as their class flowers; orange, black, and white as their class colors; and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” by Dylan Scott as their class song.

Their class motto was “Small accomplishments are often the beginning of great things to come,” a quote attributed to Lao Tzu.