Mayfield Central School District honored 64 graduates of the Class of 2025 with a ceremony on Saturday, June 21, on the athletic fields of the Jr/Sr High School. A presentation of individual awards and scholarships was held prior to the event.
Led by bagpiper Paul Sheedy performing the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” the processional ushered in the graduates, followed by a warm welcome to the special occasion from Mayfield principal Josh Santarcangelo.
Abrianna Hayes, who has been recognized as Mayfield’s top student at HFM Career and Technical Education acknowledged her hesitation at speaking at the day’s event and the growth that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.
“If I’m being honest, I’m extremely nervous to be up here delivering a speech to my peers,” said Hayes. “But every single one of us is going to have to do something we are scared of at one point or another. And those are the steps we have to take to continue moving forward. You may lose things when you take those steps, but you will find new connections along the way.”
In her speech, Salutatorian Maya Rohling thanked her teachers, friends and family for their support while instilling in her classmates the importance of finding your voice and using it.
“You should never fear advocating for yourself, your peers, and the things you believe in, even when doing so isn’t easy,” said Rohling.
Valedictorian Kaylee Klymkow took to the podium and imparted her final words to the Class of 2025.
“As we go our separate ways, I hope we can remember this: to value people over performance. That no matter how far we go, we can stay grounded in the truth that who we are matters more than what we achieve,” said Klymkow. “The world will try and measure us by titles, degrees, salaries, and likes on a screen. But this morning, I hope we measure ourselves by something deeper. The relationships we nurture, the integrity we carry, the compassion we give, and the joy we spread.”
The ceremony featured guest speaker Mark Aesch, a 1984 Mayfield alumnus and nationally recognized CEO, author and speaker who in 2025 established the Mark Aesch Scholarship. The scholarship will award $10,000 over four years to a Mayfield graduating senior who plans to pursue higher education and a career in public service. This year’s scholarship recipient is Leah Lawrence who welcomed Aesch to the podium.
In his speech, Aesch spoke to the graduating class on the value of asking the right questions; how to expand your horizons by showing real interest in the world around you; searching for joy in your life; and most significantly, spending your time purposefully.
“Many parents in the audience may be thinking ‘where did the time go?’,” said Aesch. “You all have two choices: either you will consume your life, or it will consume you. So set goals. Act with purpose. Celebrate the achievements. Ask smart questions and act interested. Be sure to learn from the setbacks, because they will happen. Consume your days, consume your lives, and know exactly where the time went.”
Following the speakers was The Presentation of the Flowers, a traditional part of graduation where students take the opportunity to recognize an important individual in their life with a rose. The Select Choir performed while friends and loved ones shared this special moment.
Graduates proceeded across the stage to receive their diplomas from School Counselor Ms. Taylor VanSlyke; Principal Josh Santarcangelo; and Assistant Principal Mrs. Jaclynn DuMoulin.
To end the ceremony Leah Lawrence led the audience in a rendition of Mayfield’s Alma Mater.
The Mayfield Class of 2025 graduates are:
Benjamin Allen
Collin Biche
Mary Blanchard
Dennis Briggs Jr.
Chloe Bronk
Hailey Champagne
Kalie Coloney
Jamie Danforth
Dakota DeGroat
Kalei Dibble
Jenavieve Dillenbeck
Katie Dutcher
Bailey Fassett
Alexee Eagan
Ian Edwards
Kolton Edwards
Hayle Ellis
Kian Ely
Ariana Fairbanks
Logan Farman
Caterina Fioravanti
Veranika Fonda
Owen Geraghty
Gianna Grignon
Colin Handy
Abrianna Hayes
Dezeree Holland
Gaije Infante
Kailyanna Infante
Payton Insonia
Jacob Johnson
Sam Kline
Kaylee Klymkow
Braydon Kristel
Sara Kuchera
Gavin Lafferty-Tuttle
Haiden Laird
Alison Lake
Benjamin Lamphear
Sophia LaVada
Leah Lawrence
Oliver Long
Olivia MacHattie
Madison Merrill
Hayden Moore
Haley Munson
Jesslin Ochoa-Calle
Kiarra Olmstead
Devin Perkett
Allison Pickett
Kiara Rhodes
Maya Rohling
Theron Rose
Maizy Saunders
Dylan Scott
Nathanial Smarup
Chloe St. Germain
Reese Steinhaus
Emily Swezey-Slade
Erica Telfer
Lukas VanNostrand
Destiny Warner
Benjamin Wicklund
Ford Wolfe III