MENNO CLASS OF 2025 SAYS GOODBYE

Twenty seniors complete their high school journey Saturday afternoon in a ceremony that included perspective and humor from three students and parting words from their superintendent.

According to the graduation boards on display inside the front lobby of the Menno City/School Auditorium, in the last 75 years, 1,872 students have received their diploma from Menno High School.

Make it 1,892.

Twenty seniors formally said goodbye to what is now their alma mater at the 2025 commencement held inside the Menno High School gym Saturday afternoon, May 10. This year’s graduation, which followed the Menno-Olivet Ministerial Association’s baccalaureate, included all the elements that have become expected at formal send-offs like this — from the piano sounds of Pomp and Circumstance, to photos and video footage highlighting the personalities of the graduates, to the always emotional presentation of roses to loved ones, to words of advice that included comments from outgoing superintendent Kory Foss.

“Graduation is not just an ending, it’s a beginning — you’ve probably heard that before,” said Foss, who came to Menno in 2020 and is leaving this summer to become the superintendent in Elkton. “It’s probably going to be a line in a card that you get from your aunt today, but the fact of the matter is, it’s true.”

Foss told the graduates that they are entering into a world that is ever changing, and while that has been the case with every class that has come before this one, “I think it’s safe to say that that statement is probably truer today than it’s ever been before.”

“You’re stepping into a world that needs your ideas, your values, your leadership,” he said. “Although it’s a world full of countless opportunities, it now comes with immeasurable complexities. You’re going to be faced with a lot of trials and circumstances in your young life that we could have never imagined ourselves growing up.”

But he said that, if there’s one thing he’s learned in watching the seniors grow up the last five years, it’s “that each of you are more than capable and equipped to face those challenges.”

And Foss said the students should give themselves some grace in whatever they face in the new world into which they are stepping.

“Don’t be afraid of not having everything figured out on day one,” he said. “Life rarely unfolds according to our timeline, and some of the best experiences will come from moments you don’t plan.

“Take time to listen — to really listen — to others,” Foss said. “Listening with empathy and respect will help you build stronger relationships with those around you and make you a person that others can look to for support. You’re never going to regret being kind.”

This year’s graduates and others in attendance heard from three others who help make up the Menno Class of 2025: Student Council President Ellyana Ulmer, National Honor Society President Haylee Hall and Senior Class President Michael Nusz.

‘Cherish these final moments’

Ulmer thanked all who made their journey possible — parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, coaches, friends and anyone in between.

“You have made us who we are today and we would not be here without you.”

Ulmer used “I can’t wait” as one of the themes in her five-and-a-half-minute speech.

“For the students, it might have been, ‘I can’t wait for summer,’ or, ‘I can’t wait for practice to be done.’ For the parents, you couldn’t wait to hear our first words, or for us to start kindergarten.

“Looking back, our class has had many things that we couldn’t wait for,” Ulmer continued. “We couldn’t wait for the last day of school, PE class and going on field trips. We also couldn’t wait to start high school, become seniors and, of course, graduate.”

Ulmer also offered advice to the younger students, encouraging them to soak in all of what high school has to offer.

“Enjoy eating lunch together every day and all the long bus rides home after games,” she said. “Enjoy the small things like talking to your friends between classes and the big things, like taking pictures at homecoming and dancing at prom. Take in each moment and savor it, because everything you have now will someday become a memory.

“The present moment is all you’ll ever have,” she concluded. “If you take one thing away from today, let it be this: Enjoy where you are now. Wait patiently and enjoy and savor every moment. Our future has arrived, but this exact moment, right now, is never going to happen again. Cherish these final moments of our high school moments. The last day of goodbyes to your friends, the last hug with your family and your last time in this gym as high schoolers.

“That next thing that we can’t wait for will be here soon enough.”

‘Ready for this change’

Whereas Ulmer’s remarks were more big-picture, Hall struck a more personal chord, thinking back on the class’s journey through elementary, middle and high school and noting the changes they faced.

“A lot of different teachers have had to deal with our class throughout the years as we’ve had a lot of teachers come and go,” Hall said. “Our class had two social studies teachers, two math teachers, three ag teachers, four different band teachers and three sets of administration.

“We’re used to change by now and everyone is definitely ready for this change,” she continued. “Even though we are all ready to leave here today, we still look back on the years with warm hearts.”

And Hall said she was looking forward to where the world takes her classmates.

“After being with these people for the last 13 years and growing up with them, I’m excited to see where the world takes them and how they will succeed in this next chapter.”

Thanks ‘for signing my diploma’

Nusz struck a balance between humor and sentimentality in his remarks, which came at the end of the 50-minute ceremony.

“Looks like you saved the best for last,” he said. “For those of you who don’t know us, our class if full of fun-loving students that always behave. For those who do know us, please keep quiet and pretend to agree.”

Nusz reflected on the students who have come and gone and acknowledged that, whether they were in Menno for one year or for all 13, “we still have grown as a class ready to take on anything.”

“As we leave here today and go our separate ways, for more schooling or into the workforce, we can look back on all the teachers that have influenced us in ways that no one else has.

“Memories we have made with each other will stick with us forever,” Nusz concluded. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of our teachers, families and friends, so as you go today, thank them. So with that being said, I want to officially thank you, Menno Public School, for signing my diploma.”

Also …

Last Saturday’s graduation at Menno also included the song “Like an Eagle” by Strommen presented by the mixed chorus, with Sharla Unruh on accompaniment, the presentation of the Class of 2025 by Menno Principal Nadia Mudder, and the presentation of diplomas by board members Barry Schmidt and Jackie Vaith. It also featured the acknowledgement of the 14 eighth graders who will begin high school in fall through a short graduation ceremony of their own.