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By Lena Pearson

After 40 long weeks of early mornings, after-school activities and nights spent cramming for exams, the school year is finally over. Following the final days of testing for the students that were required to take teacher-made or state-mandated exams, West’s campus is now empty for summer vacation. Although it awaits the arrival of next year’s students, the seniors have waved their final goodbyes to the place where they called themselves Titans.

West’s graduation ceremony took place on May 23, and was held at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in which the stands were filled with families and friends that came to support their Titan graduates. The ceremony consisted of speeches by West’s principal, Ayonna Sutton-Chaplin, as well as Alexandre Bohannon, the vice chair of the WS/FCS Board of Education and the senior class president, Sydney Baldwin. The speeches served to inspire the seniors in the audience, ensuring them that they are strong and capable of taking the big leap into their post-high school life, whether that be a four-year institution, the military or even learning a trade.

Sutton-Chaplin shared her experience of her first year as West’s principal and how she is confident that the Class of 2025 is heading into a period of new beginnings and opportunities. Bohannon shared inspirational messages, including quotes from renowned poets and authors, encouraging the seniors to take on the world and embrace confidence. Baldwin followed the speech with a piece of her own, in which she recalled all of the enjoyable, laughable and even hard moments throughout the past 4 years that made graduating a significant accomplishment. Baldwin shared that every graduate should be proud of themselves for their hard work and that they are responsible for being able to walk the stage.

Following the speeches and the awards given to students with significantly high grade point averages, the main procession of reading the graduate’s names began. As each student was called to walk across the stage and receive their diploma, it marked the beginning of a new chapter full of change and independence. Once each Titan received their applause and handshakes, they were  able to turn their tassels, officially deeming them West Forsyth graduates.

While the 2024-2025 school year has been filled with much stress and seemingly life-changing decisions for the seniors, the graduation ceremony was a reminder of the hard work and consistent effort put forth each school day, ultimately contributing to this significant achievement. Congratulations to the Class of 2025, the best is yet to come.