"Boom Shakalka'

ANAHUAC— The football stadium was alive with smiles and cheers as graduates made their way across the stage, celebrating their years together as they learned and grew into the people they've become.

The Anahuac High School class of 2025 graduated on Friday, May 23, igniting the field with cheers, laughter, airhorns, cowbells and confetti.

"What an adventure it's been. Whether it was adapting to distance learning..., memorizing the 'golden rule' with Mrs. Moulton's 'boom shakalaka,' or initiating unprecedented change, we definitely 'don't bring that weak stuff,'" Valedictorian Tina Ly said.

Ly went on to say it wasn't just her small-town environment that shaped her but the people, the close-knit community.

"No matter where we wander or what we achieve, the essence of who we are was born here, shaped by this small yet mighty town," Ly said.

Salutatorian Ryan Tu shared similar sentiments, saying it's the people that make the place.

Tu shared hopeful statements, telling his fellow graduates that the day marked the beginning of a new journey and they are more ready than they may think.

"Don't wait for permission to chase the life you want. Create it," Tu said. "Here's to the challenges we'll face, the people we'll become and the future we'll build."

Superintendent Cody Abshier and AHS Principal Rebecca Green both talked about how special the class is, detailing their determination and kindness.

"I will admit when you guys do something, you do it big and you do it right," Abshier said.

Abshier mentioned the graduates' creating a campsite on campus with tents and campfire circles, noting he "truly enjoyed" the music "blaring all night long...across the whole town of Anahuac."

Abshier shared what teachers had to say about the graduates during the end-of-the-year employee lunch. Ashier shared adjectives, including playful, determined, united, resourceful, natural leaders, brilliant, feisty, respectful and more.

Green turned to the students when talking to them, saying what she will miss about them.

Green shared she will miss when she has to fuss at those who show up halfway through first period, when they eat all her snacks, having to talk on the intercom to tell them to stop spraying "fart sprays," watching them perform, bringing their ideas to her, praying with them and more.

"I will always be by your side and on your side, and I will always cheer loudly for you," Green said.

Assistant Principal Erica Criswell also shared her thoughts on the graduates.

"I knew right away that you all were a special group of students," Criswell said, recalling her first day at AHS.

For special awards, Ly received the Texas Honor Graduate Certificate.

Clay Witherspoon and Meg Kreuzer received the Principal's Award, an award representing those who demonstrate integrity, honesty, responsibility and a desire to help others.

Damon Rakestraw and Ainslea Andrews received the Citizenship award, and Tu and Ly received Mr. And Miss AHS.

Recipients of the Who's Who award include Renata Ward, Abby Foster, Kreuzer, Leslie Hernandez Ramirez, Logan Trotter and Braedon Edmonds.

Suma com laude graduates included Ly and Trotter.

The top 10% of graduates included Ly, Tu, Joseph Previte, Matthew Previte, Jesus Benavides, Andrews, Trotter, Yadira Escamilla, Gabriella Palacios, Cristian Hernandez, Edmonds and Alexander Ford.

As the graduates made their way off the field, Tu's words rang true.

"We're not leaving everything behind once we're gone. We're leaving with experience, life lessons, knowledge and memories that shaped who we are," Tu said. "That doesn't end today. It comes with us, and it'll guide us for the rest of our lives."