ATHOL- Despite a threatening sky, the rain held off as all 106 graduates of Athol High School’s Class of 2025 marked the occasion with a celebration of growth, resilience and future promise.

Principal David King welcomed families, faculty and honored guests, including Superintendent Matthew Ehrenworth and School Committee members to the 150th commencement ceremony, held on Friday, May 30, at O’Brien Field. Before introducing the first student speaker, the principal congratulated the graduates on their 13-year journey and urged them to live purposefully and build authentic relationships.

“Your future is bright, but only if you keep showing up and striving to be the best version of yourself,” he said. “And finally, don’texpect to receive it if you’re not willing to give it.”

Class President and Valedictorian Emily King greeted attendees, setting a hopeful tone. Her speech emphasized the unity and perseverance of the class and its supportive community.

“This ceremony is more than just a tradition,” she said. “It’s a celebration of everything we worked for, everything we’ve overcome, and everything we’re about to become.”

Emily King’s valedictorian speech began with visible emotion as she thanked her parents, teachers and friends for their unwavering support. She then reflected on the personal challenges she faced along the way.

“Very recently, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, something that helped explain so many of my struggles that I couldn’t quite put into words,” she shared.

Emily King also emphasized the importance of perseverance. 

“Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence,” she said. “It’s about showing up even when it’s hard, even when you’re scared, and refusing to give up.”

She then shared a powerful quote from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins: “‘We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die, because they are never going to be born... it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here.’”

She paused to let that message sink in.

“Now that’s not something to fear,” King said. “That’s something to honor, because this life, this one fragile, beautiful life, is the greatest gift we will ever receive, and the only real mistake would be to waste it.”

Salutatorian Dylan Wornham delivered a poetic and deeply reflective message about change, creativity and embracing the unknown. Drawing on his own thoughts and inspiration from his favorite band, 21 Pilots, Wornham encouraged his peers to accept life’s constant changes and pursue their passions.

“Change is our normal state,” he said. “Even if we’re not changing on the outside, we’re changing on the inside constantly.”

Quoting 21 Pilots lead singer Tyler Joseph, he reminded graduates, “‘Anyone from anywhere can do anything.’”

Principal King announced that the Class of 2025 is graduating with $118,200 in scholarship support from the community. He introduced William Caldwell, president of the Athol High School Scholarship Association and a member of the AHS Class of 2008, to present the first round of awards. Codwell shared that the association is awarding $184,645 in scholarships to this year’s graduates and some post-graduates.

As names were called by the presenters, each scholarship recipient stood to be recognized. Beloved cafeteria staff member Ruth Robertson took the stage to present the Athol Women’s Club scholarship to Allison Robertson – a moment that drew warm applause from the crowd.

Following the scholarships, the principal took a moment to recognize the significance of the cords worn by several graduates. He explained that blue cords represented members of the National Honor Society Executive Board; teal cords were for the Best Buddies program; navy and green signified participation in Mount Wachusett Community College’s Early College Academy; and red and white cords were awarded for varsity athletic achievement.

Ehrenworth offered parting words to the graduating class. He echoed Wornham’s message during his remarks, acknowledging that growing up is an ongoing process.

“We still have a lot of learning, changing, messing up, and figuring things out ahead,” he said. “And that’s okay.”

Athol High School Class of 2025 graduates

Preston Achalefe, Aleksandr Allen, Daisy Arita Zuniga, Princewill Asonganyi,  Ethan Bacigalupo, Makaylee Barilone, Shyla Barnes, Hayden Barrieau, Ava Basso, Kylah Blundon, Angel Brito Jimenez, Aubrielle Brockney, Elijah Byron, Bradly Calcerrada Aviles, Cianna Chaban, Zacharia Chagnon, Tapanga Chapalon is, Karleigh mae Chase, Alizae Chham, Dakota Choquette, Shantel Coleman, Landon Collins, Logan Cormier, Kiley Cote, Bryannah Cram-Crosby, Autumn Davis, Mikaylah Desreuisseau, Matthew Drisdelle, Cody Dustin, Abigail Fitzgerald, Dakota Fitzpatrick, D. J. Flood, Anthony Frediani, Abigail Newcombe Frey, Akeem Gerand, Timothy Gerry, Marc Gould, Harrison Gunderman, Allison Hadmack, Alexander Hebert, Nicholas Hill, Hannah Hillock, Jayden Hobbs, Daltin Holden, Camden Hopkins, Olivia Horrigan, Matthew Hyman, Benjamin Kearney, Sean Kelley, Emily Rose King, Zander LaPrise, Bernie LeBlanc Jr., Sawyer Lefsyk, Ariel Lemere, Melania Lemoine, Anthony Lopez-Hippler, Jaidyn Macaulay, Landon Mallette, Ava Martin, Olivia Mayer, Dominic Maynard, Logan McGrath, James McLaren, Brooke Mehigan, Aidan Melanson, Ethan Okeke, Ali Ortiz, Nigel Osei Kwakye, Aaron Ouellet, Mason Palmer, Deven Parenteau, Morgan Parker, John Pedroza, Erisbel Pena, Axel Perez Ramos, Ariya Pike, Jackson Pisani, Dominic Pope, Ryan Pottinger, Georgia Powell, Armani Ramirez, Eliana Rivera, Lorelai Roberts, Allison Robertson, Keely Robideau, Mohamadou Seidou, Jenielys Silva Flecha, Raydin Sousa, Alexander Spagnola, Mariah Swain, Kisa Tam, Warren Taylor, Aspen Therrien, Corina Thibault, Koda Tolppa, Yairelisse Torres, Javier Vega, Bradley Warner, Jackson Waslaske, Naveia Wood, and Dylan Wornham

Athol High School Scholarships

Athol High School Scholarship Association general scholarship and the Helen C. Ellsworth Award: Preston Achalefo, Daisy Arita Zunga, Princewill Asonganyi, Ethan Bacigalupo, Kylah Blundon, Aubrielle Brockney, Logan Cormier, Camden Hopkins, Emily King, Anthony Lopez-Hippler, Landon Mallette, Olivia Mayer, Ethan Okeke, Aaron Ouellet, Allison Robertson, Mohamadou Seidou, Aspen Therrien, Corina Thibault, Naveia Woods, Dylan Wornham

AHS Post Grads General scholarship: Emma Bacigalupo, Savannah Basso, Nicole Bellabarba, Madison Colo, Kendall Deleo, Tessa Dupray-Doquette, Anna Duquette, Elena Florentino, Sydney Gauvin, Cody Germain, Holden Girouard, Vincent Gordon, Kaylee Guyotte, Donald Hager, Brooklyn Hopkins, Luke Inniss, Madelynn Kenniff, Samantha Kenniff, Kayleigh LeBlanc, Reily Polana, Andrew Robertson, Ryan Romero DaSilveira, Ashley Rouleau, Isabelle Spooner, Kennedy Vaillancourt, Noah Wein, Abigail Willhite, Owen Willhite, Kariana Tobias-Tessier

AHSSA in the name of William G Lord Landon Collin: Jackson Waslaske

■AHSSA in the name of Henry A Sterns Memorial: Emily King

■AHSSA in memory of Cathy Cole: Corina Thibault

AHSSA in the name of Webb R. Avery & Ethel S. Avery: Emily King

■AHSSA In the name of Edwin C. Temple Memorial Award: Anthony Lopez-Hippler

AHSSA Athol American Legion Post 102: Aubrielle Brockney, Allison Robertson, Dylan Wornham

■AHSSA in the name of Lloyd J. Newton: Olivia Mayer

AHSSA in the name of Gladys Crawford Webber: Emily King

AHSSA in the name of Theodore H & Helen E. Berard: Aaron Ouellet

■AHSSA in the name of Ashley Beth Softic: Corina Tibault

AHSSA in the name of Henry J & Clare E. Brouillet: Logan Cormier, Emily King

■ AHSSA in the name of Natalie, Alan and Abbey Plotkin: Dylan Wornham

AHSSA in the name of Joseph R Songer: Kylah Blundon

AHSSA in the name of Daniel Laakso: Daisy Arita Zunga

AHSSA in the name of Randall Kamerbeek: Logan Cormier

AHSSA in the name of Forrest & Bernice Blackmer: Brooklyn Hopkins

■AHSSA in the name of Etienne Lozier: Landon Mallette

AHSSA in the name of Ann Williams: Allison Robertson

AHSSA in the name of Morris E. Katz & Freda H. Katz: Olivia Mayer

■AHSSA in the name of Cathy Robuccio: Dylan Wornham

AHSSA in the name of David Farrar: Ethan Okeke

AHSSA in the name of Brian Rivers: Daisy Arita Zunga, Aspen Therrien

■AHSSA in the name of Karen Raymond Dugay: Mohamadou Seidou

■AHSSA in the name of Greg Stone: Dylan Wornham

AHSSA in the name of Norman Desrosier: Naveia Woods

AHSSA Lithuanian Club Award: Ethan Bacigalupo

AHSSA in the name of Cinny Hager: Donald Hager

A.H.S. Scholarship Association Merit Scholarship: Savannah Basso, Cody Germain, Emily King, Allison Robertson

AHSSA in memory of Pauline Plotkin: Naveia Woods

AHSSA Dr. Elizabeth Ervin Scholarship: Anna Duquette

AHSSA in memory of Marguerite Stewart Donnelly: Olivia Mayer AHSSA in memory of Richard Plotkin: Preston Achalefor

AHSSA in the name of Donna Briggs: Aaron Ouellet

AHSSA Volleyball Award in memory of Amber Simmington: Olivia Mayer

The Athol Women’s Club Scholarship: Allison Robertson

The Athol/Orange Eagles #4545 Scholarship: Emily King

■Athol Masonic Charity Foundation Scholarship: Olivia Mayer

Wheelerville Community Club Scholarship: Autumn Davis, Emily King

Athol Boosters Scholarship: Preston Achalefe, Princewill Asonganyi, Ethan Bacigalupo, Kaylah Blundon, Aubrielle Brockney Karleigh Chase Logan Cormier, Olivia Horrigan, Emily King, Anthony Lopez Hippler, Landon Mallette, Olivia Mayer, Ethan Okeke, Aaron Ouellet

South Royalston School Reunion: Aubrielle Brockney

Barbara A. Fortier Memorial Scholarship: Emily King, Olivia Mayer Jason Trombley & Mike Bridgwood Memorial Scholarship Aubrielle Brockney, Landon Mallette

Dr. Norman Goldman Scholarship Fund: Emily King, Olivia Mayer Athol Firefighters Association Scholarship: Olivia Mayer

North Quabbin Chapter #340 Vietnam Veterans of America Scholarship: Ethan Bacigulupo, Allison Hadmack, Dylan Wornham

Disabled American Veterans Chapter46 Scholarship: Allison Robertson Royalston Community School PTG Scholarship: Camden Hopkins

Athol Police Association Scholarship: Yairelisse Torres

Tully City Council Club Scholarship: Kylah Blundon, Karleigh Chase, Emily King, Aaron Ouellet

Athol Royalston Athletic Association: Emily King, Olivia Mayer North Quabbin Cruisers’ Scholarship: Olivia Mayer

Athol Orange Rotary Club Scholarship: Olivia Mayer

Chet Hall Memorial Scholarship: Ethan Bacigalupo, Aubrielle Brockney, Allison Hadmack, Camden Hopkins

Athol Teachers Association: Alizae Chham, Naveia Wood

Christopher B. Winters Memorial Scholarship: Olivia Mayer