Graduating from high school is one of the most significant milestones in a young person’s life. For the students of Airport High School, the Class of 2025 carries the weight of not only academic accomplishment but also the anticipation of stepping into a future defined by purpose, resilience, and community. This article offers a complete guide to the Airport High School Graduation 2025—covering everything from ceremony logistics and student achievements to what this graduation represents in today’s educational and societal landscape. If you’re a parent, student, teacher, or community member, this is your roadmap.
Table: At a Glance – Airport High School Graduation 2025
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Graduation Date | Saturday, May 24, 2025 |
| Location | Airport High School Stadium, West Columbia, SC |
| Ceremony Start Time | 10:00 AM |
| Number of Graduates Expected | Approximately 290 students |
| Guest Tickets per Graduate | 6 tickets (additional via request, limited basis) |
| Rain Contingency Plan | Ceremony moved to school gymnasium |
| Keynote Speaker | Dr. Carla Jennings, Alumna & NASA Engineer |
| Senior Awards Night | May 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM, School Auditorium |
| Last Day of Classes (Seniors) | May 9, 2025 |
| Cap and Gown Distribution | May 15, 2025, in Main Office Lobby |
| Live Stream Available | Yes, via school’s official website |
| Graduation Rehearsal | May 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM |
The Symbolism of 2025: Not Just Another Year
The Class of 2025 finds itself in a world both more interconnected and more complex than ever before. These students began high school during the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions, adapted to hybrid learning, navigated mental health challenges, and emerged as one of the most resilient classes in recent memory. Their graduation is more than a cap-and-gown moment—it’s a societal indicator of transformation and youth readiness.
Planning for Graduation Day: What Families Need to Know
Graduation planning began in the fall of 2024 with a series of senior meetings and family informational sessions. Early preparation was critical due to high demand for tickets and accommodations. Families were advised to secure hotel rooms and dinner reservations well in advance, especially for out-of-town guests.
Parking logistics have been revised for this year’s ceremony due to increased attendance projections. Additional satellite parking lots will be used, with shuttle services running every 15 minutes. ADA-compliant seating will be prioritized in the front rows, but families must reserve this through the student services office by May 10.
Ceremony Structure and Student Participation
The ceremony will open with the traditional processional led by the school’s award-winning marching band, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a choral performance of the National Anthem. Principal Jonathan Fields will deliver welcoming remarks, recognizing the unique contributions of this graduating class.
Dr. Carla Jennings, the keynote speaker, is a 1998 graduate of Airport High School and currently serves as an aerospace engineer at NASA. Her address will focus on innovation, perseverance, and maintaining curiosity—timely messages for students embarking on diverse post-graduation paths.
Each graduate’s name will be read aloud, and students will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. As a policy, noisemakers or prolonged applause are discouraged during name-reading to ensure every student has a dignified moment of recognition.
Caps, Gowns, and Graduation Gear
Cap and gown orders were processed through Jostens in January, with color schemes of royal blue for male-identifying students and white for female-identifying students, reflecting the school’s long-standing traditions. However, students were given the option to choose the color they felt represented them best, reflecting the school’s inclusive approach to gender identity.
Graduation cords will be worn by students receiving honors distinctions:
- White: Honor Roll (3.0 GPA and above)
- Gold: National Honor Society
- Red: Advanced Placement Scholars
- Purple: Career & Technical Education Completers
Senior Achievements and Special Recognitions
The Class of 2025 has set records in academic excellence, athletic performance, and community service. Over 65% of students completed at least one AP course, and the class as a whole earned over $4.3 million in college scholarships—an all-time high for Airport High.
This year’s valedictorian is Amir Patel, who will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. The salutatorian, Maya Richardson, will head to Duke University with a full ride in biomedical engineering.
Other notable student accomplishments include:
- State Debate Champions: Airport High Speech & Debate Club
- South Carolina State Soccer Champions: Varsity Girls Soccer Team
- Congressional Gold Medal for Volunteerism: Awarded to senior Juanita Brown
- Student Tech Innovation Grant: Robotics team’s drone delivery project received state recognition
Post-Graduation Plans: A Diverse Future
One of the most striking characteristics of the Class of 2025 is the diversity of post-graduation pathways. While many students will head to traditional four-year universities, a significant number have chosen alternative routes including trade schools, community colleges, gap year programs, and immediate entry into the workforce or military.
A breakdown of post-grad intentions among the class:
- 58% Four-year universities
- 17% Community or technical colleges
- 10% Military service
- 8% Trade certification programs
- 7% Gap year or undecided
To help prepare students for these transitions, Airport High launched a senior “Life After High School” series during the spring semester. Workshops included financial literacy, time management, college roommate dynamics, and understanding contracts.
Family Reflections: Pride, Growth, and Goodbyes
Graduation is as much an emotional milestone for families as it is for students. In interviews conducted with families over the past few months, themes of pride, personal sacrifice, and growth emerged.
Angela Cruz, mother of graduate Luis Cruz, shared, “This isn’t just his graduation—it’s our family’s graduation. We came from Guatemala when Luis was 8. Everything we’ve worked for comes to this moment.”
For some, it is a goodbye not only to high school but also to the community that raised them. “I’ll miss seeing the same faces I’ve known since kindergarten,” said senior Alicia Wang. “But I also know this town gave me the wings I need.”
Behind the Scenes: Faculty and Staff Contributions
Months of planning culminate in this single morning ceremony. But the real story is the tireless effort of teachers, counselors, custodians, and administrative staff. Every diploma is hand-checked. Every seat placed. Every student account verified.
Mr. Terrance Hughes, Senior Class Counselor, described the staff’s emotional investment: “These are our kids. We’ve seen them struggle, grow, and now soar. It’s more than a job.”
Mental Health Support and Counseling
In an age where youth mental health is at the forefront of educational discussions, Airport High has taken an active role. The Class of 2025 benefited from a mental wellness initiative launched in 2023, which included access to school therapists, mindfulness rooms, and peer-led wellness groups.
This year’s graduation includes a silent moment of reflection for the students who could not make it to this day due to illness, family tragedies, or other challenges. The moment serves as a reminder of the community’s collective strength and support.
Graduation Rehearsal and Last-Minute Preparation
Rehearsal, held two days before graduation, is mandatory. This run-through includes everything from seating orders to the timing of music cues. Students are instructed to arrive 15 minutes early and bring only essential items. Phones must be silenced. Dress code for rehearsal is relaxed but appropriate.
Graduation morning checklists have been distributed to all seniors:
- Bring cap and gown (pressed and labeled)
- Wear proper footwear (no flip-flops or slippers)
- Carry student ID
- Arrive no later than 8:45 AM
- Hydrate and eat breakfast
Community Involvement and Business Sponsorships
Local businesses have played an integral part in celebrating this graduation season. From coffee shops offering “Grad 2025 Specials” to salons offering free styling for low-income students, the community’s support is palpable.
Main sponsors of this year’s celebration include:
- Lexington Medical Center (Health Sponsor)
- Palmetto Bank (Scholarship Partner)
- Chick-fil-A West Columbia (Catering Sponsor)
- Books & Beans Café (Student Open Mic Night Partner)
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of the Class of 2025
Every graduating class leaves its mark, and the Airport High Class of 2025 is no exception. Their legacy will be defined not just by records broken or scholarships earned but by their empathy, activism, and innovation.
They were the class that turned setbacks into comebacks, confusion into clarity, and adolescence into a platform for change. Many led environmental cleanups. Others advocated for mental health reform. A few developed apps to support local businesses.
Principal Fields summed it up best: “If these students are the future, then the future is in good hands.”
Conclusion: A Launchpad, Not a Finish Line
Graduation is often framed as an ending, but for Airport High’s Class of 2025, it is a liftoff. Into college lecture halls, military drills, apprenticeships, or the bold uncertainty of a gap year. Into early morning classes and late-night brainstorming. Into challenge and change.
The diploma they receive is more than a piece of paper. It’s a contract with their own potential—and a promise to the world that they are ready.
