Family and friends packed Trojan Arena on Thursday morning to celebrate and honor the graduates of the Charles Henderson High School Class of 2025. 

A total of 155 students walked across the stage to accept their diplomas on Wednesday. Charles Henderson Principal Lise Fayson spoke to her students about their accomplishments and their futures during the ceremony.

“Graduation is more than a ceremony, it is a turning point. It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another full of promise, challenges and opportunities,” Fayson told the graduates. “You have persevered through extraordinary times. You have navigated the rapid changes of our world with resilience, adapted with grace and stood strong in the face of uncertainty. 

“Whether in the classroom, on the field, in the arts or quiet acts of leadership, you have shown us what determination and character looks like. As your principal, I’ve had the privilege of watching you grow, not just academically but as individuals. I’ve seen you lift one another up, face adversity with courage and find your voices in a world that needs them. That growth is not measured by test scores or GPA, but by the compassion you have shown, integrity you have upheld and the strength of your conviction.” 

Troy City Schools Superintendent Cynthia Thomas also spoke of the journey the graduating class has gone through to reach this point.

“I look back this morning on your journey, a journey that started with small, tentative steps as kindergarteners,” Thomas said. “You possess the pride and confidence of high school graduates. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of your journey, a journey filled with wonderful memories of all those that have supported you throughout your education with Troy City Schools.”

Salutatorian Jada Jones, who will play college softball at Xavier University in Louisiana, issued a message to her classmates.

“My message to my classmates is to keep pushing for greatness despite the challenges we may face in our lives,” she continued. “Many of us have already faced adversity. The Class of 2025 is very diverse, so I’m positive everyone’s dreams will look very different, as well.

“Whether it’s going to college, going into the military or even starting in the workforce, whatever we decide to do, we should not settle for the next best thing. If we limit ourselves by settling, we will never know the success of our full potential.”

Valedictorian Sarah Taylor, who will attend the University of Alabama, emphasized the successes her classmates achieved while working together. 

“We found our greatest successes when we worked together as classmates, teammates and friends,” she said. “During our time at CHHS, the cheer team grew from being at a national competition for the first time in over 15 years to earning medals as third in the nation in our senior year. 

“The football team made it to the state championship game after a streak of losing seasons. The track team came back in full force and won state titles. We were a part of the first flag football team and swim team in school history. None of this was possible without learning to show up for other teammates and striving for excellence every day in every thing we set out to accomplish.”