Wright City High School graduates largest class in school history

By Kelly Bowen, Staff Writer
Posted 6/5/25

Wright City High School honored its largest graduating class to date on Friday night, May 30, with 162 seniors receiving their diplomas during a heartfelt ceremony held at the old high school.

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Wright City High School graduates largest class in school history

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Wright City High School honored its largest graduating class to date on Friday night, May 30, with 162 seniors receiving their diplomas during a heartfelt ceremony held at the old high school.

Excitement and nerves filled the air as graduates gathered inside the gym, awaiting the start of the ceremony. 

As they made their way outside to the cheers of parents, family and friends — many of whom had filled the bleachers and lined the fences more than an hour before the event began — the moment turned surreal, as graduates waved to familiar faces in the crowd and let the moment soak in. 

Once everyone was seated, R-II Superintendent Dr. Amy Salvo opened the ceremony. 

Sporting her Wright City class ring, Salvo left the graduates with three lessons that have helped her through life – never stop learning, don’t be afraid and Wright City is special. 

Salvo emphasized that earning a diploma is not the end of learning and encouraged them to remain curious. 

In her second lesson, Salvo said, “some of the most important lessons I’ve learned came not from my successes, but from my setbacks – failure isn’t something to fear. It’s something to use.” 

Lastly, Salvo reflected on the special community of Wright City. 

“Remember where you came from, this community, this school and all of us are cheering you on. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat,” Salvo said. 

High School Principal Matt Brooks took the stage next, delivering his final commencement speech before retiring. 

He applauded the Class of 2025 for earning over $1 million in scholarships, completing college courses and associate degrees, founding new clubs and being the first class to graduate under graduation pathways.

Brooks tied the school’s values — gratitude, respect, empathy, achievement and tenacity — to the power of travel and learning from others. He encouraged students to ask questions and shared how doing so had shaped his own life. 

“Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Learning by asking questions is learning that sticks,” Brooks said. “Class of 2025, I wish you all the best, and feel free to ask me questions anytime.” 

Two student speakers also delivered speeches – Rubi Sario Luna and class president Izabelle Campbell.

Luna incorporated a heartfelt bilingual speech as a tribute to all the hispanic families in the crowd. 

“Many people ask what motivated me to graduate and like many of you who come from an immigrant or hispanic family, it is my parents,” Luna said. 

Luna reflected on the memories and the influence of her classmates while encouraging everyone to look ahead. 

“Graduation is bittersweet. We’re closing one chapter and preparing to write the next…Whatever your next chapter holds – never give up,” Luna said. “We faced many hardships and made many sacrifices, but despite it all, we’re graduating and earning our diplomas. Now is the time to make our dreams come true.”  

Campbell centered her speech around change. 

“Some of us may embrace (change), while others may feel afraid. But, I want to remind you all of the change that we already went through…We watched classmates come and go and halfway through our senior year, we moved schools entirely,” Campbell said. “You’re faced with change. We don’t run from it – we embrace it.” 

Campbell went on to say they can find comfort within each other because they are all having the same shared experience. 

“I want to leave you with some wise words from a legend, some might even say a mastermind, the great Hannah Montana – another chapter in the book, can’t go back but you can look and there we are on every page, memories I’ll always save,” Campbell said. 

Lastly, keynote faculty speaker Hannah Pohl was chosen by the Class of 2025 to give a speech. 

Pohl began first teaching when the senior class were freshmen. She emphasized while they were navigating high school for the first time, so was she, just from the other side of the desk. 

“I still remember your first class debates, nervous voices and trying to find the courage to speak up, unsure of where you stood or how loudly you were allowed to believe in something,” Pohl said. “I saw you raise your hand for the first time and I saw you slam it on the desk during a passionate argument by senior year.”  

Pohl highlighted the enormous growth she witnessed within those four years and how she in turn, grew with them as well. 

“Thank you for growing with me. Thank you for teaching me how to teach. Thank you for four years of laughing, crying, learning and asking questions,” Pohl said. “The world isn’t ready for your brilliance, but you’re going to show it anyway.” 

Finally, it was time for what everyone had been waiting for — walking across the stage. 

As the students walked across the stage, some popped party poppers, others waved to their loved ones in the crowd and the majority had wide-eyed smiles on their faces. 

After all names had been called, Brooks invited the class to move their tassels from right to left. Cheers erupted, caps flew into the air and friends embraced as the Class of 2025 officially became graduates.


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