Medina celebrates grads with parade outside the school

Photos by Natalie Baron: High School Principal Michael Cavanagh leads the seniors in the parade. Sophia Gayette is attending the University of Hawaii to become an engineer. Kylee Howard is planning to be a fourth grade teacher, and Taylor Schrader is planning to be a paramedic.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

MEDINA – The Class of 2025 was celebrated with a senior walk this morning. The kindergarten class and community members cheered them on.

A little under 100 members of the Class of 2025 paraded outside, beginning at the Junior-Senior High School and past the Wise Middle School and Oak Orchard Elementary School. Kindergarten students as well as family and community members lined up on either side of the path to congratulate them. The seniors held signs announcing what their plans are post-graduation, including career and college goals.

After the walk, both the senior and kindergarten classes lined up on the field at Vet’s Park Stadium for a special ceremony. The older students gifted words of wisdom to the children on posters. In writing, they answered the question “What does it mean to be a Mustang?” which was printed on the posters. Also passed down from senior to kindergartener were necklaces in their school colors.

Brooke Stewart, who aspires to be an astrologist, and Lexey Cornelius, aspiring to be a law enforcement officer, wrote the advice “Mustangs are brave, kind and make good choices” on their posters. Sophia Goyette wrote to Skylar Houseknecht, “Being a Mustang means having a family, no matter where you go!” Madison Kennedy received the message “Mustangs always show up and try, try, succeed!”

Raquel Russell and Adrianna McMurray, among other students, participate in the parade of graduates. Raquel dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, and Adrianna hopes to be a therapist.

Josephine Pollock aspires to be a diagnostic medical sonographer. Evelyn Phillips wants to work in postal service while Maddie Lewis will study sports studies and physical therapy at D’Youville University.

During the parade, some students posed for the camera. Aubrey Jackson wants to be a restaurant worker and Zoey Weese, a teacher.

Seniors enthusiastically pose so bystanders can take photographs. The energy during the parade is electric.

The parade turns toward Vet’s Park. Garrett Koch aims to be an environmental scientist.

Konner Smith, Gary Sherman, and others approach Vet’s Park. Konner plans to go into filmmaking and Gary into customer service.

Harper Hamilton, along with other family members of the seniors, was among the lineup celebrating the Class of 2025. She happily poses for a picture.

The seniors approach the lined-up kindergarteners. The seniors hand over necklaces and provide them with words of wisdom.

Seniors stoop to speak with the children face-to-face. They would like to meet them on their level.

Some seniors meet kindergarteners they know. They warmly greeted the kids.

Graduation will take place Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at Vet’s Park Stadium.