Mexico High School senior Baylea Porter put into perspective what the class of 2025 graduates have experienced just before they walked across the stage Friday night at Hawthorne Heights Stadium. They “survived” 2,340 days of school.

“From 6 years old in kindergarten to 18 years old as a senior in high school,” she said. “You woke up. You showed up. And today, you graduated. Congratulations, class of 2025. You did it.”

Porter and 204 other MHS students graduated Friday. In addition to Porter’s words, seniors heard from valedictorians Andrew Peuster and Claire Hudson. The ceremony also featured a Distinguished Alumnus Presentation given to David Maupin and an Honorary Graduate Presentation by Kyle Louder to Keith Louder, a former educator at MHS. 

Among the remarks in his speech, Peuster told the graduating class to remember two points as they move on: remember the value of someone’s name and remember to be humble.

“As Dale Carnegie noted, everyone enjoys the sound of his or her own name,” he said. “The remembrance of one’s own name signifies for the self that someone believed they were worth remembering. The speaking of said title — even 20 years from now — recognizes the core of another’s dignity.”

And on remembering to be humble, he said that “real humility requires an honest recognition of one’s talents and accomplishments, and being satisfied with what one is blessed to have. It’s much more fulfilling to live life this way, not always vying for well-wishes but living instead without uselessly comparing yourself to others.”

Hudson followed with her speech, encouraging her fellow grads to chase their biggest dreams and “do it boldly. But don’t forget to love the journey while you're on it. Because the happiest people aren’t the ones with the most perfect lives — they’re the ones who love the life they’re living.”

Some of her other advice: “You can’t live a full life if you’re constantly wishing it looked like someone else’s. So here’s my challenge to all of us. Love your own life. Even when it’s not glamorous. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s yours. Because real happiness doesn’t start when you reach some perfect future version of yourself. It starts when you realize this — this moment, this mess, this life — is already enough. You are enough.”

A class of 1961 graduate, Maupin is a ”respected entrepreneur, international executive and passionate community historian. Dave’s career and contributions demonstrate leadership, vision and lifelong curiosity,” said Mexico Public Schools Superintendent Troy Lentz, who presented the award and listed Maupin’s achievements at the high school and beyond. Maupin graduated from Harvard and earned his master’s and MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked in the medical and biotech industries and had a number of accomplishments and leadership roles, and now in retirement, he serves on the Audrain County Historical Society Board and is involved in other activities.

Keith Louder served Mexico students for decades, working as a math teacher at MHS for 33 years, Kyle Louder said. He also served as the department chair for two decades and coached a variety of sports, including baseball and softball.

“Throughout his career, Mr. Louder stood out not only for his leadership in the classroom and on the field but his contributions at the state and national level,” Kyle Louder said, noting that Keith Louder held professional development sessions for math educators in Missouri and across the country. Keith Louder is involved in the community and continues to tutor students of all ages in math, and he now serves as a funeral director, Kyle Louder said. Kyle is Keith’s son.

Senior Class President Melanie Hernandez-Jarquin told classmates that whatever paths they take after high school, they have something in common in that they are graduating from high school.

“Enjoy this moment because you will never experience it again,” she said.

She encouraged her fellow seniors and to keep positive, and she thanked parents, teachers and others for their guidance all through the years.

MHS social studies teacher Adam Barnett was named Teacher of the Year by the senior class, given to the teacher who has made a meaningful impact on the students’ experience. Graduates and their families also heard about student achievements at the Hart Career Center and Mexico Education Center.