Shelby High School sends off Class of 2025 at 150th commencement
By David Jacobs
The Class of 2025 at Shelby High School marked graduation on Sunday afternoon, with 164 seniors crossing the stage inside the school gymnasium.
Class valedictorian Michael Vogt said graduation marked "a day to reflect on the time that we spent at Shelby and to look ahead to where we're going next."
"We are here to celebrate an important milestone in our lives, one that marks the end of high school and the beginning of something new," he said.
LIST: Shelby High School Class of 2025
In all, 175 students make up the Class of 2025. Nearly all chose to take part in the 3 p.m. ceremony.
Vogt encouraged students to "live our own lives and make the choices that matter to us, to try new things, to take risks, to not be afraid of failure."
"1,377 days ago, we first walked through the doors of Shelby High School, but we are definitely not the same people walking out," Vogt said.
"We've learned together, laughed together and have grown into the people who we are today," he said. "As we begin the next chapter, let's not forget to spend our time living a life that we actually want, a life that we'll enjoy and a life that reflects who we are and not who we're told to be."
Commencement speaker Scott Gurney -- a longtime math teacher at the school and 1991 Shelby graduate -- encouraged graduates to embrace optimism, humility, and present-mindedness.
Offering personal wisdom, he emphasized the value of humor and resilience.
"I've personally found that it takes way less energy to be in a good mood than a bad mood," Gurney said. "If you find yourself in a bad mood, try to pick that up. You can listen to music, read a book, talk to a friend or a family member. They all help."
The longtime math teacher also shared how his own path shifted.
“In graduate school, God changed my plans from being a mechanical engineer to a math teacher...,” he said.
"Even though my earning power significantly changed, God has blessed me in so many other ways... I always have enough money to pay the bills and plenty left over to give to others in need.”
He concluded by challenging students to live in the moment. “I think the best days of your life are actually in the present,” he said, later citing Scripture to underline the uncertainty of life.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed, Gurney said. "Have faith in something. Laugh at yourself. Find contentment in life. Live life to the fullest in the present. And lastly, and most importantly, remember you are a champion '25."
To end the speech, Gurney sang a playful rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” rewritten for the Class of 2025 as “You are the Champions,” which included Whippet sports references in the lyrics. “You are the champions,” he sang in part, "You are a Whippet. No time for losing because you are the champions, '25."
Setting the scene
Sunday marked Shelby High School's 150th commencement, school Principal John Gies said in welcoming the crowd.
Joining him on the stage were Shelby Schools Superintendent Michael Browning, commencement speaker Gurney, Pioneer Career and Technology Center supervisor Jeremiah Howe and Shelby Board of Education Vice President Kim Nadolsky.
Also introduced to the crowd were Shelby school board members Heather Braun, Brad Ream and Randy Broderick, Assistant Superintendent Paul Walker, school district treasurer Beth Lykins and Shelby Mayor Steve Schag.
Thanked were teachers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, aides, secretaries and other administrators who "played a major role in the educational journey of these graduates," Gies said.
"Throughout the years, you have gone above and beyond to provide not only an education but also a nurturing environment that encourages growth, curiosity, and resilience," Gies said. "Your passion for teaching and your ability to inspire our students have made a lasting impact on their lives. Every lesson taught, every moment of guidance, and every act of kindness have contributed to the success of the Class of 2025."
Parents and guardians were asked to stand as they were greeted with applause.
"I want to thank you for all of your support, and time and commitment and anything else that was asked of you," Gies said. "You drove our seniors to practice and to the barn to feed animals -- at an ungodly hour, some of you. You helped them study, fed them -- did whatever was necessary to help your child get to today."
Their commitment to their education and well-being, countless hours of guidance, and "steadfast belief in their potential have not gone unnoticed," Gies said, noting their "pivotal role."
"It is through your efforts and sacrifices they (graduates) have reached this significant milestone," he said, later inviting those graduates heading to the military to stand.
"Thank you for deciding to protect and defend our country," he told them. "Please be safe" -- later asking veterans and active duty military to stand while recognizing others during Memorial Day weekend.
Gies earlier paid tribute to others ahead of a moment of silence.
"In May of 2019, the Class of 2025 lost a classmate when Faith Boggs was killed in a horrible motor vehicle crash that also claimed the lives of three other family members," Gies said. Faith was 12 at the time of the 2019 crash on Ganges Five Points Road.
Separately, Gies noted that 2025 Shelby graduate, Olivia Whiteside was unable to attend Sunday's commencement because her mother had passed away after an illness.
"At this time, I ask that you join me in a moment of silence as we remember Faith and Mrs. Whiteside and their families," Gies told the crowd.
Sunday's graduation was held in the school gymnasium, and 13 years of education, including kindergarten, were concluded.
Many graduates selected a former teacher, coach, or staff member to accompany them during the diploma presentation, making for special moments. Lady Whippets basketball All-Ohio player Eve Schwemley chose her parents, Gwen and assistant principal Troy Schwemley, while 2024-25 student council president and athlete Rees Lewis chose her father, Pat Lewis, Shelby's athletics director.
The ceremony included music from the Shelby Whippet Band directed by Cassandra McCall and associate director Tim Mayer, and the Shelby High School choir led by vocal director Brian Nabors and assistant Joe Dubbert.
Superintendent Browning thanked the Class of 2025 for their work in the classroom, activities, sporting events, musicals and around town. "I easily have the best job in the district because I get to watch all of you do the things you love," he said.
"As you move on to the next stage of your lives, find something to fulfill you and follow those dreams," Browning said.
