Fifty-eight members of Saxony Lutheran High School’s Class of 2025 received their diplomas during graduation ceremonies held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in the Gerhard Birk Gymnasium on campus.
After Student Council President Isabel Charlotte Brown led the prayer and welcomed those in attendance, Principal Mark Ruark made his opening remarks, focusing on the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 graduates.
“This class is one of the most artistic, talented, award-winning, and humble classes that I’ve had the pleasure to work with in my 31 years as a principal,” he said. “They have represented every area of Saxony’s four pillars of faith, family, academics, and activities through their four years at Saxony High School. Seventy-six percent of our seniors have earned 688 college credits during their time at Saxony. The average number of college credits earned by this class is 15.6. Sixty-two percent of this class has earned a semester’s worth of college.
“Nine of our graduating seniors have earned 24 hours or more, which is two full semesters of college. Three Crusaders will graduate with over 30 hours of college credit, two earning 33 and 34. In all, 44 of the 58 graduates have taken at least one college course while at Saxony. Ninety-seven percent of the class of 2025 will be attending 32 different universities, junior colleges, our technical schools, and different states across the United States. One of our graduates will be entering the workforce immediately after graduation and I am proud to announce that one of our Saxony graduates will be joining the United States military.”
Ruark also noted that 79 percent of the graduates are receiving college scholarships, with 15 of these being “full rides,” which cover all tuition and fees. The total amount of scholarships accepted is $2,322,336, and the average scholarship award is $50,485.57.
Assistant Principal Melissa Adams introduced Matthew James Hitt, who gave the Class of 2025 address. In a humorous style, Hitt talked about his years at Saxony, his teachers, and his fellow graduates.
Faculty member Grabriel Blake Hendon, the Class of 2025 president, introduced teacher Michelle Terrell, who was chosen to give the Commencement Address. In her speech, Terrell encouraged the graduates to keep moving forward in life without allowing setbacks to stop them from reaching their goals in life.
Following the awarding of diplomas, Class of 2025 vice president, Lilly Grace Roth, presented the class gift to Principal Ruark, after which he made closing remarks.
The Saxony Lutheran High School Class of 2025 graduates and their plans post-graduation are Jaela Kathleen Adams, Missouri University of Science & Technology; Kalayah Lynn Apel, Lindenwood University; Lauren Aufdenberg, Shawnee Community College; Bianca Ainsley Marisol Becking, Renaissance Beauty Academy; Ethan David Best, United States Air Force; Ethan Scott Bohnert, Education; Annabelle Rose Brandhorst, St. Louis University; Isabel Charlotte Brown, Jefferson College; Owen Michael Buchheit, Missouri State University; Skylar Dainele Calhoun, Southeast Missouri State University; Cassondra Nicole Calvin, Southeast Missouri State University; Matthew Dean Chambless, Mineral Area College; Timora Lexxus Criddle, Southeast Missouri State University; Adalina Kathryn Deckered, Southeast Missouri State University; Micah John Dehne, Concordia University – Nebraska; Lauren Elizabeth DeProw, Arkansas State University; Faith Ann-Marie Dreyer, Belhaven University; Naomi Lynn Goeken, Tyler Junior College; Abigail Kristine Haley, Concordia University – Wisconsin; Emma Kay Frances Harms, University of Missouri – Columbia; Thomas Mark Hasz, Ranken Technical College; Gabriel Blake Hendon, University of Tennessee; Margaret F. Hillin, University of Mississippi; Matthew James Hitt, Concordia University – Nebraska; Jonas Allen Hohenadel, Mineral Area College; Austin Patrick Hunt, Southeast Missouri State University; Anthony Robert Kearns, Southeast Missouri State University; Wesley Thomas Kiehne, Southeast Missouri State University; Noah Daniel Kirn, Maryville University; Isaac Vernon Koenig, American Welding Academy; Tristan Rylee Leggett, State Technical College of Missouri; Kennedy Mae Lewis, Southeast Missouri State University; Mason James Lohmann, Southeast Missouri State University; Carson Lee Martyn, Southeast Lineman Training Center; Alivia Marie Miget, Mercy SE College of Nursing & Health; Aleigh Rae Miller, Cosmetology Apprenticeship; Brayden Michael Moore, Westminster College; Seth Jeffrey Mueller, Souteast Lineman Training Center; Josie Jewelyn Mullins, Renaissance Beauty Academy; Marvin James Nash Jr. Mineral Area College; Ngoc Thi Nhu Ngo, Southeast Missouri State University; Grace Sylvia Petzoldt, University of Oklahoma; Johnathan Victor Pfeiffer, Southeast Missouri State University; Maddie Jo Preusser, Three Rivers Community College; Camille Elizabeth Richey, Southeast Missouri State University; Madelynne Brianna Robinson, Concordia University – Nebraska; Lilly Grace Roth, University of Mississippi; Myra Nicole Roth, University of Missouri – Columbia; Lauren Elise Sheriff, Southwest Baptist University; Jason A. Sparks Jr., Employment; Erin Kathleen Spencer, Georgia Institute of Technology; Jeremy David Spooler II, Southeast Missouri State University; Ashley Nicole Summers, East Central College; Debastian Uhorskai, Education; Shyanne Lynn Weibrecht, State Fair Community College; Amelia Mae Wilson, University of Missouri- Columbia; Jackson Bryant Wilson, Missouri State University; and Rebekkah DiAnn Yunck, Palm Beach Atlantic University.
