By Drew Butler
dbutler@cherryroad.com
When the last graduating senior received his diploma at Plainview Stadium Friday evening, it marked the end – not just the end of high school for the Class of 2025, but also the end of graduation season in the Ardmore area.
High School Principal Marlin Coffman opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and congratulating the graduating seniors.
“You’ve worked hard, you’ve weathered a lot of challenges, and you’ve grown not just in knowledge, but in spirit,” he said. “You’ve reached the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next, and you’ve done it with grit, humor and a lot of Plainview pride.”
He went on to offer some words of wisdom.
“Before you go off into the world, full of ambition and energy, I want to leave you with a simple idea,” Coffman said. “It’s not about grades, awards or even the career you’ll choose, it’s about how you live your life.
“Live with love in your hearts. We live in a vast noisy world where it’s easy to become distracted, cynical or closed off. But love, real, honest, imperfect love, cuts through all of that. I’m talking about the kind of love that shows up as kindness to others, to a stranger, or forgiveness when it’s hard. As courage to stand up when someone can’t stand up for themselves. Love isn’t soft, it’s strong. It’s the decision made over and over again to lead with your hearts, even when your head wants you to retreat.”
Plainview has a tradition of allowing the salutatorians and valedictorians to select a teacher or coach to introduce them prior to their speeches. Salutatorian Hudson Hobbs selected Coach Will Coffman. Covaledictorian Magdalene Isbell selected Teacher Melinda Wallace, and covaledictorian Riley Styers selected Teacher Pat Roberts.
Coach Coffman shared a bit about Hobbs’ character and dedication to excellence.
“Whether in the classroom, on the field or on the golf course, he gives his all,” Coffman said. “His commitment to excellence in academics is matched only by his drive to be the best teammate and role model he can be.”
Hobbs’ speech began with a humorous story about a young boy who claims he’s the greatest baseball hitter in the world. He keeps repeating this to himself through multiple swings until he ultimately strikes out. That’s when he realizes he’s actually the greatest baseball pitcher in the world.
“I think that story is great because it portrays a message that should be important in all of our lives, and that is perspective is everything,” Hobbs said. “Wherever you’re headed to next, college, work or life, just know that you’re going to be faced with many failures and strikes outs. There’s going to be rough times, missed chances, and moments when you feel like you’re falling short. But just like the boy in the story, we all have the power to rewrite what those moments actually mean.”
Wallace highlighted Isbell’s many talents.
“Magdalene has been a student at Plainview for 8.5 years, and during that time she’s done it all,” Wallace said. “She’s been a Girl Scout for 12 years, which means she’s had more leadership experience than most adults I know…and probably enough cookies to fund a small startup. She’s danced with On Your Toes Dance Academy for 9 years, performed as a dancer on the pom squad for three years, and played piano for 13 years. So whether she’s tapping, twirling or tickling the ivories, Magdalene does it all with poise and passion.”
Isbell’s speech thanked family, friends and faculty for all the work they have done over the years helping the Class of 2025 get to where they are today. She ended her speech by thanking her fellow graduates.
“Thank you for being a powerful community, for being advocates for yourselves and others,” she said. “Our class is full of people who aren’t afraid to have each other’s backs and to stand up for those around them. I hope that as you move on in your life, you’ll hold on to this instinct to be good. Go into the world and inspire others to be a fraction as genuine and as passionate as you are. Be the people that everyone else strives to be. Make a difference in your community and advocate for your beliefs.”
Roberts shared a few examples of the positive impact Styers has made on both her fellow graduates and the entire Plainview community.
“From late nights spent studying to early mornings filled with ambition, this student has shown what it means to commit fully to a goal,” Roberts said. “But grades alone don’t define a valedictorian, character does. Whether offering a helping hand to a classmate, leading the Plainview marching band as a drum major, nailing an academic team answer, or simply sharing a kind word in the hallway, this graduate has left a lasting impact on our school community.”
Styers reminded her classmates of all the experiences they’ve had together.
“Tonight is a celebration of all we, the senior class, have accomplished over the last four years,” she said. “We’ve made new friends, pushed ourselves to explore new endeavors and gained many new skills. We’ve grown up and found out who we are.”
In looking ahead at the future, she urged her fellow classmates to remain positive.
“Having a positive attitude truly makes life easier,” she said. “It’s not just thinking happy thoughts, it’s having hope no matter what you’re facing.”
Excluding the valedictorians and salutatorian, the top ten seniors are: Montana Miller, Isabella Gutierrez, Kati Record, Arieanna Thigpin, Gavin Sheaman, Noah Canady, Emma Ritter, Keira Ward, Macy Del Torto, Eleazar Denoso, Camryn Poteet.
The class officers are President Hudson Hobbs, Vice President Emma Riter, Secretary Lilly Boyd and Treasurer Eleazar Denoso.
