Plymouth & PHS celebrate the Class of 2025

Posted June 1, 2025

Plymouth High School held Commencement Exercises for the 187 members of the Class of 2025 on June 1 at Plymouth City Park with hundreds of family and friends in attendance.

The Commencement Band, directed by PHS band director Cody Wisman, performed the processional and recessional. The Senior Choir, directed by Amanda Smith, sang “Vienna” by Billy Joel.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lauren Niewolny.

Molly Munson welcomed those gathered. “Through the support of each other, our teachers, and mentors, we have been able to reach this monumental occasion,” she noted. “This would not be possible without the PHS staff and community members who have helped bring this ceremony to fruition.”

PHS Principal Joe Brandl explained the school’s cum laude system and the different color stoles worn by students: orange for cum laude, silver for magna cum laude, and gold for summa cum laude, the highest recognition.

“You now leave Plymouth High School as young adults with the necessary tools to be successful,” he told graduates. “It is now time for the next chapter of your life. Whatever that brings, make all of us, your immediate family, your Plymouth Panther family, and yourself proud! Make the choice to be nice, be kind, make wise choices and do great things.”

Class exemplar Avery Duff, chosen by a panel of adults to represent the class at commencement and to receive the $5,000 Rhyan Family Class Exemplar Scholarship, repeatedly referenced the “Welcome to Plymouth - We like it here” sign on the back wall of the bandshell, which she noticed while attending last year’s graduation ceremony.

“That sign doesn’t just welcome us to a town; it welcomes us to a community,” she said. “A community that has nurtured us, supported us, challenged us, and stood beside us through every moment leading up to today.”

That support has existing from the early days of 4K through the high school years, Avery said.

“Now, as we stand on the edge of this next chapter of college, careers, military service, gap years, unknown adventures, we do so with the values this community instilled in us,” she said. “Kindness. Hard work. Perseverance. The ability to listen, to care, to show up. The belief that one person, yes, even one, can make a difference.”

She encouraged her classmates to stay connected to the people who have made them who they are. “Because this community, this town and these people, have given us so much,” she said. “And, as we go out into the world, it’s our turn to give back. To bring kindness into new spaces. To show up for others the way this town showed up for us. To lift others up, to build new communities, and to carry forward the light that Plymouth lit within us. And to never forget where we came from.”

Ella Morrison, Student Council secretary, announced the incoming members of the Plymouth High School Alumni Hall of Fame, who will be inducted in the fall:

• Ann Drewry Weeden of the Class of 1973: nurse at Valley View Medical Center and Matthews Oncology Associates until her retirement in 2019, and co-chair of the Plymouth AFS chapter since 2007
• Bob Mueller of the Class of 1983: Plymouth School District custodian for 41 years before his retirement in 2024, including service as head custodian at Fairview Elementary School and Plymouth High School

Superintendent Scott Stier urged the graduates to make service to others a priority. “What will truly define you—what will build your legacy—is not what you’ve achieved for yourself, but what you’ve given to others,” he said. “Congratulations, Class of 2025. You’ve made us proud. Now go out and make the world proud, too—with kindness, with courage, and with service.”

The class chose PHS social studies teacher Nathan Erck to give the commencement address. “Graduation means you’re officially an adult,” he said. “I’ll let you in on a secret that no other adult will tell you: We’re all just winging it every single day.”

He offered three bits of advice he learned while winging it:

• Take yourself less seriously. “Have fun, do dumb things and overall just remember that no one's deathbed regret is that they wished they worked more or spent more time doing things that brought them no joy.” 
• Put down your phone and enjoy real life. “As much as it feels great to doom scroll tik tok while sitting on the toilet, make sure to put your phone away and enjoy time with what actually matters: your friends, family, and the outside world.”
• Always say yes when someone asks you to do something. “You truly never know when the thing you say yes to could become the best day of your life or make a memory that will last forever, so just say yes when someone asks you to do something.”

Campbell Booth directed students to shift their tassels. “This moment isn’t just a celebration of grades or diplomas; it’s a celebration of our grit, our growth, and the courage to keep going when things were tough,” she said. “So as we prepare to move our tassels, let it be more than a symbol of finishing school. Let it be a commitment to live boldly, to care deeply, and to keep believing in ourselves.”

Devin Shircel gave the closing remarks. “No matter where we go from here, one thing is certain: We are all stronger because of what we’ve learned here at Plymouth High School, both in and out of the classroom,” he said. “My advice to you, my fellow graduates, is this: Don’t forget your journey. The ups, the downs, the laughter, and the tears. It will help guide you through the challenges and celebrate the triumphs that are yet to come.”

Learn more:
• Read a profile of this year’s class exemplar, Avery Duff.
• Learn about the 2025 PHS Academic Scholars.
• See a list of scholarships awarded to members of the PHS Class of 2025.
• See which Panther athletes will be continuing their sports careers in college.
• Explore the Post-Graduate Success section of our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to learn more about how each Plymouth High School graduate is well-prepared for his or her next step, whether it be college, technical school, the military, or the workforce.

Deacon Robert Allen
Jade Lily Allen
Ava Ellenor Anderson
Teysa Nikole Fey Anderson
Samantha Lynn Andrews
Cole James Anhalt
Serena Evelynn Annis-Jimenez
Julian Robert Arbuckle
Hannah Jane Artery
A'ziyah Ajanmere Bailey
Alexis Christine Balde
Andrea Jean Baldwyn
Colton Edward Beauchamp
Miranda Ann Beaudry
Cayden Robert Becker
Alexis Marie Beger
Austin James Behr
Hevan Lee Bell
Brooklyn Cora Bersch
Alizea Mae Bieber
Alivia Ann Bilgrien
Adam Richard Bindl
Jake Bernard Bins
Kahtiana Isabell Blad
Campbell Jean Booth
Alivia Paige Briones
Patrick Michael Brockmann
Blake William Buechel
Gabrielle Marie Bunyea
Antonio Roberto Bustamante Jr.
Lauren Marie Cantwell
Paulina Abigail Concha Palomares
Danielle Nicole Conto
Robert Elton Cook
Sullivan Grant Cotter
Mary Catherine Crumley
Mason Randall Dekarske
Mackenzie Haylie DeSmidt
Sophia Grace Diaz
Aiden Jacob Dinkelman
Hannah McKee Downs
Corbin Nicholas Drees-Wasmer
Avery Grace Duff
John Robert Dvorak
Millie-Kay Zita Dyke
Bechara El Hajj *
Unurmaa Evelyn Enkhjargal *
Emily Jean Entringer
Aryssa Josepha Ertman
Talia Jade Esquivel
Isaac Michael Falk
Nicholas Allan Farr
Austin William Feldmann
Gianna Elba Flores
Avalyn Jane Friedel
Samantha Lorraine Gaffney
Sylvia Rose Gehl
Marcus Edward Gerlach
Jhadan-Taylor Ortencio Grucelski
Josiah David Gundersen
Jack Flynn Hallenberg
Gavin Rhys Hamm
Adam Christopher Hampel
Logan Maxwell Haney
Elias Wayne Hansen
Sean Alexander Harney
Benjamin Karl Harpstead
Sullivan Clyde Hawe-Lawrenz
Gaige Lee Heller
Chase Michael Hellmer
Barret Carl Helmer
Brennan Chris Helmer
Yahir Celso Hernandez-Montoya
Wyatt Mathiew Herzog
Dominic Edward Holmes
Liam Joseph Huls
Dustin David Humphrey
Maxwell Thomas Jacquat
Ava Grace Jaeckels
Shannon Susanne Jankuski
Petra Janusova *
Dylan George Johnson
Olivia Grace Jones
Anthony Patrick Jovanovich
Emmitt Sloan Kaulaity
Callie Jo Kiekhoefer
Thomas James Kilian
Danica Marie Klemme
Jesse James Klippel
Ellie Marie Kluwe
Mara Claire Kohlmann
Chloe Nichole Krebsbach
Nehl Bradley Kremer
Dillon James Krupp
Ezrabella Mae Kubow
Cayden Todd Kuhn
Paige Nevaeah Kurtz
Addison Kate LaCount
Grace Ellen Lambert
Austin Daniel Lau
Jayde Kristi Laubenstein
Ian Michael Leonard
Lily Carole Lodes
Emmett Joseph Lodl
Caia Joslyn-Gage Lund
Emily Grace Machovec
Maxwell Lee MacLeod
Kyra Paige Manderle
Trever Gene Marquardt
Santiago Massoni *
Elizabeth Jean Mathes
Alison Katherine Matzdorf
Tia Gabrielle Mertes
Ava Nicole Miller
Olivia Marie Monkoski
Macklyn Norbert Moore
Ella McKenzie Morrison
Molly Margaret Munson
Francis Musa *
Jackson Mathias Neilitz
Lauren Kate Niewolny
Cora Marie Nothem
Kassidy Marie Novak
Michael Walton Nugent
Adyson Jeanette Olig
Aubrey Patricia Osbahr
Leandro Papapoulios *
Annika Marie Pedersen *
Isabelle Brooke Peterson
Dane Steven Petruzates
Thomas Gabriel Piedot
Cierra Marie Pierringer
Sadie Pieterick
Aino Olivia Pironetti *
Ky'la Angilee Pruitt
Maddyson Grace Puetz
Aubri Elise Ramthun
Kyleigh Mae Rautmann
Addilynn Cacee Reimer
Evelyn Grace Resimius
Vincent Paul Reysen
Daisy Skye Riemer
Jonah William Rodgers
Samuel Jay Rodgers
Brooklyn Vernice Roesel
Walker Lee Roesel
Sydney Carien Rohde
Grayson Charles Schamberger
Carter Alexander Schmitz
Brianna Irene Schroeder
Kiley Aurelia Schultz
Regan Rae Schwartz
Ian Timothy Schweitzer
Christina Lynn Sember
Carter Blake Seppel
Neela Mingsi Shepard
Devin Richard Shircel
Brett Jason Shutter
Casey Smallish
Tyson Robert Smith
Rylie Rose Sneesby
Hope Alexus Southworth
Hannah Nichole Spiro
Claire Elizabeth Steinacker
Michael Frank Stephan
Avery Raeann Stiefvater
Callynn Elizabeth Strausser
Blake Norwood Taylor
Lili Danielle Thomas
Grant Christian David Thome
Shelby Grace Tollman
Donna Rebecca Tolman
Kylie Dawn Van De Kreeke
Cooper Anderson Van Ess
Aubrey Ella Vaughn
Chloe Renee Voigt
Micah Joseph Walden
Addyson Rose Wasilewski
Madelyn Grace Weber
Tayla Rain Weisensel
Violet Jo Weiss
Madison Marie White
Zackary Johnathan James Wierman
Abraham David Williams
Abigail Ann Wiskirchen
Nolan Charles Wiskirchen
Rachel Zheng
* Denotes foreign exchange student

Please note: Inclusion on this list does not indicate graduate status.