The Class of 2025 is more than just a group of students just trying to get through high school. We have turned into a family.”

Kaylea High

Oriole Park
Willow Road
Stanley, WI 54768
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The Stanley-Boyd Class of 2025 is out the door.
In thirty four sets, two by two, the last one three, they walked the field at Oriole Park Friday.
When they were young, the field had not existed, sporting events like football held instead at Chapman Park, commencement in the gymnasium.
Now it was Oriole Park for both.
The ceremony opened with pre-recorded “Pomp and Circumstance” from the Stanley-Boyd High School Band. From there it was into the welcome from emcees Kaylea High and Isabella Goettl.
“Welcome teachers, staff, friends, and relatives to one of the biggest days of our lives,” Goettl said. For those who have had the privilege of watching the Class of 2025 grow up, let us give a review.” High took the podium next.
“The Class of 2025 is more than just a group of students just trying to get through high school,” she said. “We have turned into a family. We may be a loud and somewhat obnoxious family, but nevertheless we have stuck together through the last 13 years to find who we truly are.”
“Whether you found sisters on the court, or brothers in the cafeteria, you have found a place that will last a lifetime,” Goettl said, followed by High.
“This is the last time we’re required to see each other, but I know the bonds we’ve created in high school will only flourish from here on out,” High said, “So congratulations to the Class of 2025 and all you hope to accomplish,” then introducing outgoing high school principal and Stanley-Boyd alumna Tanya Mahr.
“Good evening and thank you for joining us for the graduation of the Class of 2025,” Mahr said. “It truly is an honor to be here with you.” Mahr then made note of the candle of remembrance to remember those who couldn’t be present, asking those present to remember them in their own way.
Calling the last few days a time for celebration and reflection, Mahr said it was natural for students to evaluate and contemplate where they were in life.
“It’s natural to contemplate who you are, what you’ve done, what lies ahead, what impacts you’ve made,” Mahr said. “As you look back I hope you feel confident with the chapter that closes this evening and that you are ready to write an extraordinary chapter.” Calling the Class of 2025 both competitive and compassionate “in ways that made others better,” Mahr said she had a special place in her heart for the class, speaking to graduates on the writings of David Goggins, a retired Navy Seal, motivational speaker, and endurance athlete.
Motivation according to Goggins was unreliable and thus drive was the key to success.
“You’ve proven that you have drive,” she said. “In the classroom, on the court, on the stage, in the field, at state competition for various CTSO organizations, the list could really just keep going on,” she said. “My hope for you is that drive only goes as you move to enter college, start your career, or enter the military to serve our country. I am confident that the drive you have now will open doors and opportunities for you if you have a ‘never finished’ mentality,” always striving to improve and become better. The Class of 2025 could meet challenges head on with a can do attitude.
“Congratulations, good luck and best wishes to each and every one of you,” Principal Mahr said.
Following Mahr’s speech, the choir sang “In Meeting We Are Blessed” by Troy D. Robertson, under the direction of Choir Director Louella Derrico.
Following this, Salutatorian Addison Mahr gave the salutatory address.
“Good evening everyone,” Mahr said. “Family, friends, school board, administrators, coaches, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2025. Today is a day of celebration.”
Pausing to look back, Mahr took graduates on a memory tour through the years. “No matter when you joined our class, you have made your mark,” she said. “Whether you’ve been here for 12 years or 12 months, you’ve shared laughter, stress, inside jokes, and about 100 campus notifications.” Students had been in Mr. Seidl’s government class memorizing the amendments, Mrs. Hoffman’s and Ms. McIntyre’s classes learning science, Mrs. Steinmetz’s English class, as well as Mrs. Gustafson’s and Mrs. Koenig’s math classes, “learning to solve for x.”
“These lessons weren’t just academic, they shaped us,” Mahr said. What stood out over time were the people, both classmates and teachers who they had interacted with.
“Today we stand on the edge of what is next,” Mahr said, saying the way to honor the past was not to stay in it, but use it to shape the world.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2025,” she said. “The future is ours. And if we survived Mrs. Gustafson’s math tests, we can survive anything. Thank you.”
Following the salutatory address, a recording of the band performing “All the Small Things” by Michael Sweeney under Band Director Devon Wenndt was played.
Mykel Wirtala gave the valedictory address.
“Good evening everyone,” Wirtala said. “Friends, family, students and teachers. What an honor it is to stand here today and deliver this speech.” Saying that the Class of 2025 had distinguished itself with exceptional competitiveness as well as academically, Wirtala said it was an honor and privilege to give the valedictory address.
“Today we stand on the edge of something new,” she said. In front was an “uncertain, unwritten, and uncharted future,” but one that was entirely the Class of 2025. “It is a blank canvas, yet it is full of momentum, and what emerges on it depends not only what we hope for, but on what we are willing to act on,” Wirtala said. “Graduation is often described as an ending, but I like to think of it as a beginning. Graduation is like the end of one day, bittersweet, but it promises the dawn of a new morning, and while we may not know what that morning brings, we don’t come empty handed. We bring with us more than just diplomas, we bring everything these years have given us.” Among these were knowledge, critical thinking, problem solving, and personality. Each student had taken a different path, shaped by the school clubs they had joined.
“The future doesn’t come with step by step instructions,” Wirtala said. “It will be unpredictable, sometimes messy, and often surprising. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting.”
Calling on her fellow graduates to solve problems instead of ignoring them and live with purpose and empathy, Wirtala said that “we’re not just entering the future, we’re going to build it.”
Taking a moment to thank those who had shaped her, Wirtala thanked her teachers and family with specific examples of their help, especially her mom.
“You’ve given so much of yourself so I could learn, grow, and dream,” she said. “Your strength, patience, and sacrifices, even those I didn’t notice at the time, have made all the difference in my life. You’ve been my protector, my teacher, my biggest inspiration, and my best friend. I wouldn’t be who I am today without your loving guidance. Thank you mom for everything. I love you more than words can express.”
Wirtala closed by exhorting her fellow graduates to face the future with courage.
“Whether it’s taking a risk, starting something new, or standing up for what’s right. Face the future with courage,” she said.
Following the valedictory address by Wirtala, District Superintendent Jeff Koenig presented the Class of 2025 as meeting requirements for diplomas.
“Good evening graduates, parents, and friends,” he said. Graduates were in a time of uncertainty and transition, with some having well thought plans and others not.
“Wherever you fall on that spectrum, it’s perfectly normal to be unsure or even anxious about what comes next.” Nonetheless, students already had the most important part of figuring things out.
“Our real job is to help you develop the mindset and skills to thrive on any path you choose,” Koenig said. “Our goal has always been to help you become a strong thinker, a lifelong learner, and someone who can walk into a new situation and figure things out. Quoting Ted Neitzke of CESA 6, Koenig said that, “Education isn’t about preparing kids for something. It’s about preparing them for anything.”
It was estimated that the Class of 2025 would retrain completely over their lifetime for five to seven careers, making adaptability crucial to success.
“That’s exactly what you’ve been practicing for the last 13 years,” Koenig said of school and preparation for tomorrow.
Next quoting from Aristotle, Koenig said that, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” The small steady habits were what mattered to success.
Next quoting Angela Duckworth to say that “enthusiasm was common, while perseverance was rare,” Koenig said the Class of 2025 had perseverance.
“Congratulations Class of 2025. Be curious, be courageous, and be kind--you are ready. Not because you know exactly where you’re going, but because you know how to move forward with purpose, with resilience, and with heart.”
Following Koenig’s speech the students lined up to receive diplomas, handed out by Principal Mahr and School Board Representatives Bob Geist and Denise Hoffstatter.
The ceremony over, the Class of 2025 left as it had entered to “Pomp and Circumstance,” receiving an orange rose as they made their way to the stands and embraced family and friends.