Homer Flex staff, family members and friends celebrated the graduation of 11 students in a commencement ceremony held last Wednesday, May 21, in the Land’s End Resort Quarterdeck.
Principal Christopher Brown recognized the graduates’ families and friends gathered in the audience, as well as community members who have acted as advocates for Flex and its students.
“Your support and guidance have been fundamental to the success of these graduates,” he said.
Illustrating the close-knit community fostered at Flex, staff members stepped up to the podium to offer congratulations and advice to the graduates.
Math and science teacher Joshua Gates encouraged the seniors to make their mundane pristine.
“The majority of your life is not built on special days like today — those are exceptions. The quality of your life is built, brick by brick, on the small things, the mundane things that happen every day,” he said.
Language arts teacher Casey Yordy shared this maxim: “Life will not hand you pearls unless you plan on shucking a lot of oysters.”
“So start collecting them now,” he said. “Whatever you choose to do next, I hope you leave every place, every person and every situation you interact with just a little bit better than you found them.”
Counselor Sue Rennolds called commencement one of her favorite days of the school year.
“I just think this is such a special opportunity to reflect on the growth of these students and also to celebrate the hope for the future ahead,” she said.
She asked the graduates to think of three people who have supported them in their journey, and told them to never take that support for granted.
“We all rely on others to reach milestones,” she said. “You never know who might jump in a give you a lift, or who may be lifted up by a simple act of care that you show to them. Connections are everything.”
Rennolds said she hoped that each person in the graduating class would take the opportunities that show up in front of them — and that they’ve already had practice doing that by choosing to attend Flex and completing their high school diploma. She then spoke directly to each graduate in turn, sharing some of the qualities and gifts that each of them brought to the Homer Flex family.
“I appreciate each and every one of you, and the gifts that you have shared with this school. As you move on to your next adventure, remember that Flex is one of your connections,” she said.
Each of the students then took a turn at the podium, sharing personal reflections on their journey through Homer Flex to reach the stage Wednesday night, and thanking the people they formed connections with and that helped them achieve their goals.
Finally, Brown passed the microphone around so that members of the audience could also share personal messages and congratulations with the graduates for whom they were in attendance.
Caden Bice was presented with the Masonic Outstanding Student Award, which is voted on by Flex staff and presented annually to the student who most exemplifies excellence.
Avery Cathey earned the UA Scholars Award, which Brown said is awarded to the student with the top grade point average in each graduating class.
Homer Flex High School Class of 2025
Justice Aseltine
Harley Benedix
Caden Bice
Landan Brantstetter
Avery Cathey
Samson Isaac
Joaquin Jauregui
Harmonie O’Brien-Leversee
Spencer Tressler
Hope Vincent
Mason Watson
