Moniteau students walk the stage and turn the page
CHERRY TWP — In front of a crowded auditorium full of faculty, family and friends, dozens walked onto the stage as students of Moniteau School District, but left the stage as alumni.
The Class of 2025’s commencement ceremony was held at the Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School on Tuesday, June 3. In total, 63 students received their diploma.
Among them was Conner Ealy, class president. He delivered a short welcome speech to the crowd before festivities kicked off.
Ealy used his speech to thank the faculty and parents of the class and directed students to look forward to what’s next for each one of them.
“Whatever path you choose, carry with you, not just knowledge, but courage, resilience and hope,” Ealy said. “Take whatever skills and valuable lessons you learned here at Moniteau to propel you forward in life.”
Morgan Teets, class salutatorian, plans to go to Penn State University for a degree in animal science in the fall. During her speech, she focused on a phrase she heard from her peers countless times throughout her education: “I can’t wait.”
“We didn’t realize every time we said ‘I can’t wait,’ we forgot to live in the moment,” Teets said. “Now, all we have left is our memories. Every school day, field trips, waiting to see what classes we get with our friends, lunch and any activity are just simple memories now.”
She encouraged students to find a natural balance between living in, and making the most of, the present moment while still dreaming big.
Sydney Bayless, class valedictorian, plans to go to Butler County Community College for a three-year nursing program in the fall. Her speech centered around the importance of memories to a person.
“Memories shape our sense of self,” Bayless said. “They connect us to the past and influence our future decision. They are the moments that build us and form us into the people we are today.”
She compared memories to trees, as they serve as roots to our sense of self and give us a foundation to look back upon when life doesn’t go to plan. She told her class that they’ve planted roots throughout their time at the district that will always serve as support.
“The memories of this time period allowed us to learn so much about ourselves and about others,” Bayless said. “We learned that it’s OK to make mistakes and that it’s OK to fail a test or two.”
Students voted and chose Christina King, an English teacher at the high school, to deliver the Class of 2025’s commencement speech. She teaches both seventh and 12th grade classes, giving her the opportunity to see the class at the beginning and end of their time at the school.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” King said. “As your teacher, I’ve had the unique privilege of watching you grow, not just in knowledge, but in character, in resilience and in your heart.”
Finally, Travis Beachem from the district’s school board reminded students in his speech to chase their dreams, even if the path to them isn’t easy.
“Remember, the path to your dreams isn’t always straight,” Beachem said. “It twists and turns and sometimes leads you to uncharted territories. That’s OK... Embrace the journey, the trials and the triumphs.”
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Moniteau graduates listen to student speakers during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates head to the auditorium ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates head to the auditorium ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduate Connor Ealy, center, throws up a “peace” sign while heading to the auditorium to receive his diploma during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates head to the auditorium ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates fist bump a faculty member ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates turn their tassels during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates head to the auditorium ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates react after turning their tassels during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates listen to student speakers during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates listen to student speakers during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Veronica Miller receives her diploma during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Brianna Jo Covert, left, and Ireland Connor react to turning their tassels after receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduate Brianna Jo Covert fists bumps a faculty member ahead of receiving her diploma during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Valedictorian Sydney Bayless heads to the podium to address the Class of 2025 during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Madison Anderson receives her diploma during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Salutatorian Morgan Teets addresses the crowd during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau graduates head to the auditorium ahead of receiving their diplomas during Moniteau Jr/Sr High School Commencement at Moniteau Jr/Sr High School on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
