Buchanan graduates Class of 2025

Published 10:36 am Friday, May 23, 2025

By Max Harden

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BUCHANAN — Under the setting sun, the Buchanan community packed Memorial Field stands Thursday evening to see the Class of 2025 together for one last time.

Decked out in their caps, gowns, stoles, sashes and stylish cap art, 117 graduating seniors marched onto the track to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” before listening to statements from Superintendent Patricia Robinson and Principal Brian Pruett.

“When you leave here today, you will be a graduate of Buchanan High School,” Robinson said. “The future is yours, shape it, and I do not doubt that you will go on to achieve remarkable things, embrace the journey, stay true to yourself and enjoy this exciting road ahead.”

Following the performance of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” by the Buchanan High School Choir, Buchanan’s three senior speakers — Addison Warmbein, Grantland Waggoner and Jacob Stines-Court — delivered on what were their final assignments as high school students and looked back on their time as Bucks.

Warmbein was the first to speak. She encouraged her classmates to be passionate about their futures and to stay true to themselves.

“Even if you did not fully embrace being yourself during High School, now is your chance to do so,” she said. “This will always be our greatest strength. Don’t change for anyone if you’re proud of what makes you different? As we walk across this stage, leave it behind. Step into that world like you stepped into high school – cautious and excited for what’s next.”

Waggoner was next, thanking friends, family, teachers and staff for their support and encouraging classmates to embrace adversity. 

“If we continue to let these past fears and doubts prevent us from moving forward, we may never reach our true potential to truly fulfill what we’re here to do,” he said. “We have to face those tough, uncomfortable decisions head-on. A true believer isn’t someone who avoids challenges, they face them every single day. How can we overcome these obstacles if we don’t face them? How can we grow and become better people if we don’t push ourselves out of our comfort zones? If we never make uncomfortable decisions in life, what are we really achieving? Change is inevitable but imperative for us to succeed. Personally, I’m terrified of what comes next and as Winnie the Pooh says, ‘How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’”

Stines-Court closed the speeches by quoting the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“All of you standing here tonight have overcome challenges and obstacles that have shaped and defined you and to who you are today,” he said. “As the Red Hot Chili Peppers say, ‘we’ll make it to the moon if you have to crawl.’ The truth is, I never expected any of this – to even think about giving a speech in front of all of you – but it just happened. That’s the beauty of change, it just happens. But all the things that I’ve done – all of my accomplishments, everything on my letter major and what I’ve learned – would never be if it wasn’t for all of you here tonight, so thank you. I will forever be indebted to all of you for changing my life. And always remember, try to be the change you want the world to see. No matter what you go on to do, you will change the world in some way. So go out there and try something. It might just turn your life around for the better. 

“And always remember, it’s the way you change the world that defines what you want the world to be.”

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