“As you leave here, know that you are going to be missed,” said Community R-6 Superintendent Chad Harter, as he addressed the 21 graduates sitting before him. “You’re moving forward with teachers above you, younger students who saw you as iconic legends and a community that supports you.”

Community R-6 celebrated the graduation of the class of 2025 Sunday with a ceremony held in the gymnasium.

After friends and family had found their seats, the teachers and administrators, who had been guiding their students over the last four years, now led them, one last time, to their seats.

Principal Bob Davies opened the ceremony.

“Seniors, the day is finally here,” he said. “We gather to celebrate everything that you have worked so hard to achieve. A new chapter in your life is about to begin and I have no doubt that each of you is ready for what comes next.”

Principal Davies was followed by Superintendent Harter whose words of encouragement were guided by the Community R-6 elementary pledge that hangs right outside his door.

Before diplomas were awarded, school counselor Jennifer Gilman invited the seniors who had received scholarships to be recognized.

“The members of the class of 2025 have been offered and accepted scholarships totaling in excess of $430,029,” Gilman said.

This year, the high school recognized outstanding academic achievement in a different way honoring five students.

Kate Robnett and Rylee Rafferty were both honored with summa cum laude distinctions.

They earned a cumulative GPA of 3.95 or higher, met A+ Program requirements, completed a rigorous course of study, and achieved an ACT score of 22 or higher.

Robnett, daughter of John and Dana Robnett, will be attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville for a bachelor’s in accounting.

“The best piece of advice I have ever received is, ‘You only live once,’” said Robnett. “My sister said that.”

Her once-in-a-lifetime high school years were spent being involved in Future Farmers of America, cheerleading, track, Strive, National Honor Society, student council and art club.

To Robinett, being recognized as summa cum laude just goes to show how much hard work they have put in.

“It shows that you can get good grades while still doing a bunch of extracurricular activities,” said Rafferty, who will be attending Central Methodist University for its two-year physical therapy assistant program.

Rafferty, daughter of Jill and Troy Rafferty, was involved in softball, basketball, National Honor Society, art club and student council.

Ean Johnson and Clayton Jennings were both honored with magna cum laude distinctions.

They earned a cumulative GPA between 3.85 and 3.94, met the A+ Program requirements for attendance and citizenship, completed a rigorous course of study, and achieved an ACT score of 20 or higher.

Johnson, son of Dan and Brandi Utterback and Travis and Amanda Johnson, said magna cum laude feels pretty cool.

“I missed summa cum laude by .01,” he said. “I was right there but it’s OK because I am glad I got this far and it feels like all my hard work paid off.”

Johnson was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, baseball, National Honor Society, Strive and Scholar Bowl. He will be attending College of the Ozarks to study for a Bachelor of Arts in music ministry.

It was his older stepbrother Joseph Utterback’s wise words that got him through the last four years.

“Do it right, do it light – do it wrong, do it long,” Johnson said.

Clayton, son of Michael and Pam Jennings, will be attending the University of Missouri to pursue a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

He was involved in basketball, baseball, Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society and said he feels the proverbial weight of the silver medal around his neck.

“Going to this new system, we knew from the get-go, I think, that this is where the five of us wanted to be,” said Clayton.

He said he feels especially honored to share the recognition with his sister.

Callie Jennings, daughter of Michael and Pam, was honored with a cum laude distinction.

She earned a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.84, met A+ requirements for citizenship and attendance, completed a rigorous course of study and achieved an ACT Test score of 18 or higher.

She is heading to Kansas State university to major in animal science.

“It’s good to see all my hard work has paid off because school has always been a struggle for me, so I worked really hard to get here,” said Callie.

Despite her struggles, Callie served as class president in both her junior and senior years. She was also involved in cheerleading, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society and Student Council.

“The best piece of advice I have ever received is from my friend Ella (Duenke) who told me, ‘No matter how much people push you down, you can always work your way back up,’” said Callie.

Now that they have finally graduated, the Community R-6 class of 2025 prepares to take on the world, but not without leaving a little something for the future classes.

“Don’t let your past mistakes define who you are or what you do in the future,” said Clayton.

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries.