As the end of the school year approaches, many stressful things come with it: state testing, AP tests and final exams. However, for the class of 2025, the end of this school year is mainly focused on one upcoming event: graduation. Edmond Memorial High School’s graduation will be held in the stadium on Friday, May 16.

EMHS accounts for the school’s valedictorians by selecting those with a 4.0 GPA or higher. Students with a GPA above 4.0 due to AP classes earn the title of valedictorian with distinction. Out of this year’s graduating class of 623, there are 56 valedictorians total, with 44 receiving the honor of distinction, and 22 salutatorians, those who nearly achieved all A’s except for one B.

Three of EMHS’s valedictorians with distinction will have a role in graduation. Amy Renwick will present a speech as the senior class president to honor those who are graduating. Julianna Cummings and Ethan Doering will also be giving speeches as valedictorians, reflecting on their time at EMHS. All EMHS valedictorians and salutatorians were invited to participate in voting for their speaker following auditions.

“I decided to write up a speech about expectations, success and what it means to be lifted by your school because I felt that it was something most seniors were feeling,” Doering said. “I took that rough draft with me to the valedictorian speech tryouts, gave it my best effort, and somehow, I ended up getting the speaker role.”

Being a valedictorian is a coveted position at most schools, recognizing those who have dedicated a large portion of their lives during high school to ensure they have the best grades possible. 

“The title of valedictorian holds and represents values of dedication and hard work,” Renwick said. “Being valedictorian means more than just wearing a different colored robe at graduation; it represents the many hours of studying, focus and commitment that the students at Memorial have. Furthermore, the valedictorians at graduation represent the phenomenal teachers the school has as well as Memorial’s culture of devoted students.”

Many students are involved in various activities at Memorial that are either teacher-led or created by students. As a result of involvement in these activities, many students, such as this year’s valedictorians, have been influenced as they head towards their collegiate and future careers.

“While opportunities for personal growth persist, the support of teachers and faculty helps grow any student’s passion or cause to a greater level,” Cummings said. “The potential for growth at Memorial is limitless; you just have to do the research and find a pathway unique to your story and work hard to pursue it. Inevitably, people will follow, and you will have left a legacy of unparalleled innovation.”

As the class of 2025 passes on to the next phase of their lives, they have the opportunity to leave behind a legacy of excellence. The environment that Memorial has created will leave a lasting impact on these students, and perhaps in the future, this graduating class will return home to their alma mater.

Contact Esther Wood at [email protected]