INDEPENDENCE – Commencement was held Sunday, May 18 for the 113 members of the Mustang Class of 2025 in the Independence Jr/Sr High Gymnasium.
The ceremony began with the Jr/Sr High Band playing Pomp and Circumstance as the graduating seniors marched into the room with the audience standing. They then played the National Anthem with the audience and Seniors standing.
Seniors Rylee Moran and Brooke Eddy welcomed everyone to the ceremony. Under the direction of Mr. Roger Barloon, the Senior High Choir performed “For Good†with seniors taking breakout sections and solos.
After being introduced by Senior Aaron Tanay, Eddy and Moran returned to the dais as the Commencement Speakers.
Mrs. Shalon Frye introduced the Top Ten Students including six earning the distinction Valedictorian and one being Salutatorian. To be in the Top Ten students had to achieve at least a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.978 over four years. As the students were introduced, Superintendent Cynthia Philips presented them academic award medallions.
Mr. Justin Putz then introduced the three Foreign Exchange students who matriculated at Independence this past school year, followed by the band playing the IHS Rouser.
Principal Ian Kleman then provided remarks about the school year, the class, their academic achievements, and their different activities.
School Board Directors then granted diplomas to the Class of 2025:
Olivia Arlene Albert, Jonathan Michael Bagby, Jesse Josef Bartosch, Kyle Robert Beatty, Aidan Michael Bernard, Carmen Anita Berns, Logan Pierce Bevans, Kaleigh Mae Block, Zachary John Brown, Damien DeAndre Burco, Tatiana Jouquina Butters, Ethan Michael Cahalan, Claire Terese Carey, Ayden Edward Chappell, London Leslie Clendenen, Presley Emma Elizabeth Clendenen, Ta Ian Joseph Conrad, Gracee Jean Cornwell, Grady Joseph Cornwell, Emma Elaine Dake, Michael Ray Decker, Talan Douglas Decker, Jardin Rae Derr, Trendan Kaden Dilley, Brooke Terese Eddy, Dylan Davis Eisele, Spencer Ross Emley, Taylor Blaine Evans, Ellie Margaret Fangman, Nathan James Faust, Jacqueline Marie Finnegan, Addison Rose Fischels, Wyatt Matthew Fisher, Emma Faith Gonzalez, Sarah Marie Greiner, Jayden Ann Grover, Aden Joseph Gunningham, Samuel Michael Hamilton, Khali Rose Hanna West, Ella Sky Elizabeth Hansen, William Russell Hansen, Carlie JoAnn Hanson, Kylie Jo Hardy, Gianna Rae Hatchew, James Joseph Henderson, Elliot James Hurley, Crayton Louis Edward Iversen, Jaidyn Nicol Johnson, Katie Marie Johnson, Roman Andrew Johnson, Ryland Mathew Kascel, Ethan Skye Kearns, Ella Nicole Kennett, Alan John Kitner, Elizabeth Jane Kremer, Jaxon Kenneth Krogmann, Gabriel Taylor Kuennen, Brady Matthew Kurt, Addison Ann Lamphier, Addison Dolan Lange, Alec Joseph Larson, Owen Anderson Latwesen, Bryson Dean Losey, Addison Ann Loughren, Arabella Ann Louvar, Maddox Michael Loveless, Alayna Ann Martinson, Sophia Grace McGarvey, Caiden Lee Meike, Gavin Dean Mestad, Ella Rose Meyers, Conner Daniel Miller, Ephraim James Miller, Wil Jenkins Miller, Rylee Jo Moran, Justyn Daniel Mudderman, Kylie Marie Osborne, Carter Kenneth Palmer, Alaina Mae Paris, Kennedy Renee Peterson, Kyrie Miyo Poor, Cael Stephen Post, Javier Francisco Quijada, Ryan Austin Ratchford, Callie Lucille Rawlins, Reaghan Leah Ressler, Remington Jay Ressler, Brayden Joseph Ridder, Cameron Roy Roth, Andrew Jacob-Benjamin Rottinghaus, John Anh Ryan, Wyatt Richard Jonathan Schares, Ryan Francis Schmitz, Campbell Wayne Schwartz, Presley Lynn Shaw, Shayden Michael Silberstein, River Merry Carolyn Straw, Aaron Timothy Tanay, Brooklyn Olivia Tudor, Annalys ElizabethTurci, Kali Marie Ann Washburn, Marcelina Faith Weber, JorgieRae Izabella Wendling, Tyler Louis Wieland, Jasmine Rose Wieland, Kyler Brayden Wiest, Owen Christopher Williamson, Tanner Edward Wilson, Tate Richard Wood, Caleb Richard Woods, Kieryn Leigh Wright, Gaberie Allen Yearous, and Kaydence Raye Zeien-Despard.
Class President Brady Kurt then led the “Turning of the Tassels†for his classmates.
After recessing out of the gymnasium, families gathered outside for photos near their yard sign or with the Mustang statue.
