Various longstanding traditions carried on for another graduation. The THS band played “Pomp and Circumstance” as faculty and then the Class of 2025 walked to their seats on the Chieftain Arena floor. Senior members of the Chieftain Singers sang “Maybe Someday,” as has been tradition for so many years, and various Class of 2025 members were recognized for being members of National Honor Society, going into the military and more.

Some seniors went all out decorating their mortar boards, while cheers for graduates when names were called occasionally was interspersed with an airhorn or cowbell.

Class president and salutatorian Wesley Johnson gave the welcome address.

Valedictorian Solomon Carter challenged his classmates to ponder how they’ll be remembered by others and whether they are living their lives to the fullest. A transcript of his full speech can be found on page 4A of today’s print edition.

THS principal Cody Witte also addressed the class and guests.

“First, have fun,” Witte said. “I encourage you not to sit on the sidelines of your own life.

“If you’re not enjoying the process, you’re doing it wrong.”

He told the class thinks about the people the senior class has been at THS: hardworking and fun-loving, for example.

He also offered some more tidbits of advice, including from his days attending Fort Hays State University and the energy and excitement that comes with blazing one’s own trail after high school and “no one telling me what my curfew was going to be.”

But with that freedom comes responsibility.

“There is no discount the second time you take statistics,” Witte noted. “Or the third time. So I’m told.”

The THS principal congratulated the class on its accomplishments and warned them that the road ahead won’t always bee smooth.

“The easiest day is yesterday, Witte said. “The only person stopping you from reaching your goals is you.”

And though that might be the case, the graduates have others on whom to lean.

“You are not alone,” he said. “You are now part of the legacy of Tonganoxie High School.”

After graduation, students, family and friends gathered outside Chieftain Arena for photos and fellowship. Some individual graduation parties took place later in the day before the class participated in Project Grad festivities at the Lenexa Rec Center. A record 113 high school seniors were in attendance and ongoing Project Grad fundraising helped provide more than $15,000 for the after-graduation celebration established to provide a safe celebration the night of graduation.