Cassopolis celebrates Class of 2025
Published 4:05 pm Saturday, May 31, 2025
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
(Photos courtesy of Joseph Westrate)
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CASSOPOLIS — Thursday evening, 65 Cassopolis High School seniors donned blue and white robes to close the chapter of their high school experience.
Cassopolis Public Schools hosted a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 Thursday, May 29 in the school gymnasium. The event featured speeches from top students and an alumni guest speaker.
“To our graduating seniors: you have shown resilience, determination and spirit,” said Principal Lindsay Gorham-Pflug. “Through challenges and triumphs, you’ve grown not only as students but as individuals ready to face the world. We are proud of who you’ve become and who you are yet to be. Tonight is a celebration of learning, growth, and endless possibilities. Let’s honor the achievements of the Class of 2025 and look forward with hope and pride to all that lies ahead. Congratulations to our 65 graduates – this is your moment.”
The first of two student speakers was salutatorian Breece Cooper. In her speech, she encouraged her classmates to follow their dreams.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is never to sell yourself short,” she said. “If you have a goal, chase it down. If you have a dream, pursue it like it matters because it truly does. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what others expect of you; what matters is that you believe in yourself enough to take that leap. And whether you realize it or not, you will have an impact on others by how you show up, treat people, and live your life.
“So whatever’s next, whether it’s college, a job, a gap year, or something, you’re still figuring out, do it in a way that matters.”
Next to the podium was valedictorian Nola Hawkins, who congratulated her classmates on a job well-done.
“To my classmates, shout out to us. We did it,” she said. “I’m still struggling to believe that it’s really over. Everyone always says how fast the years fly by, but you never realize how true that is until it’s over. All of my friends have been talking about how they’re so excited to be done, but I’ve been thinking about how different it’ll be not coming back. Not seeing my friends every day, not having the same routine we’ve all gotten used to. It’s tough not to be a little sad thinking about a change this big, but I know we’re all headed toward bright futures.
“The many years we’ve spent together have been full of memories, lessons, fun, and much more.”
She closed her speech by thanking classmates, teachers and family members for the memories made the past four years.
“We haven’t just gone to school together,” she said. “We’ve lived life together. We’ve seen each other through joy, loss, heartbreak, success, failure, and growth. We’ve been a part of each other’s lives in special ways that only happens with a small community like ours. So, before we move on, I want us all to remember who we’ve been to each other. I want us to carry the lessons we’ve learned from each other, the strength we’ve found in our friendships, the wisdom our teachers have shared, and the love our families have given us. These people and moments have made us, and they are a part of us.
“And we aren’t just graduates. We’re the result of everything we’ve been through and the community that raised us,” she continued. “Now we go forward. Not as athletes or students or another label, but as people that know who we are, past what we do. So, thank you. To our friends, teachers, family, and to each other, for helping us become who we are. Wherever we go, we should always remember those who got us there. And always remember who you are.”
After the student speeches, the district introduced alumni speaker Clifton Hawkins, a 1995 Ranger graduate and former United States National Taekwondo Champion. Hilltop Wealth & Tax Solutions, Hawkins’ private wealth management firm, was recently named one of USA Today’s Best Financial Advisory Firms of 2025.
Following speeches, Principal Gorham-Pflug, Superintendent John Ritzler and members of the school board presented the graduates with their diplomas and wished them well as they entered the next chapter of their lives.
