Fayette High School bid farewell to 47 seniors during commencement exercises held Sunday afternoon in the high school gym. 

The ceremony opened with reflections from Superintendent Brent Doolin, who was the middle school principal when members of the Class of 2025 were eighth graders. He recalled candidly about high hopes and the reality of middle school. “I remember talking about how great middle school would be when you turned into eighth graders. I thought for sure that would be our glorious year of low discipline referrals, positive climate and culture improvements, as you would be the new leaders at CMS. I was quite possibly the worst year in my tenure in middle school,” he said with a grin. “As you sit here today, I can proudly say that many of you have become the leaders I thought you were going to be as eighth graders. Even if you don't see it in yourself, I want you to be the best, most effective version of yourself possible.”

The senior class selected former teacher Kim Eaton as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Mrs. Eaton dedicated 24 years to public education, with 10 years spent teaching Elementary Physical Education and Health, and 14 years serving as the district’s Focus Room teacher. In addition to her classroom experience, she was a committed coach, leading middle school girls’ basketball and softball teams.

Mrs. Eaton shared her unconventional path to becoming a teacher. “I have to admit, my first impulse was, ‘no way,’,” she said about being chosen for Sunday’s keynote address. “I talk like a hick and I don’t even own a dress,” she quipped, before breaking out the Freddie Falcon mascot head.

Mrs. Eaton explained that plans change and our paths through life require flexibility. “You may stray away from that path you set for yourself, and that is okay. Everyone will tell you to have goals, dreams, and figure out the steps needed to reach them. My goals and dreams hit several bumps in my path. And honestly, if I didn't find a new path, I probably would not be here today, addressing this graduating class.”

She told the graduating class that when you stay true to your dreams, the world will help you find your path. “It may not be easy. It is a delicate balance, but you have to lead with intent.”

Following the keynote address, senior musicians gave final performances as part of the choir and band, with senior drum majors Hayden Sage and Thomas Elliott leading the band one last time in “Off the Line,” the school’s fight song, with the audience clapping along to the beat.

First-year high school principal Jason Hannam recognized seniors who earned scholarships. This year’s class earned a total of $184,367 in scholarship money, with $65,866 awarded in local scholarships. (A full list of scholarship awards appears on Page 4 of this newspaper.)

Seniors earn $184,367 in Scholarships

Emily Adams

• MACC Superintendent’s Scholarship

Carter Bryan

• Fayette Alumni Association Scholarship

• Mary Ann Smith Scholarship

• Fayette Optimist Club Scholarship

• FHS-CMU Unity Award

• A+ School Recipient

Annabel Butler

• Bankhead Family Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

Gavin Callahan

• Fayette Rotary Club Scholarship

• Esther Hume Scholarship

• FHS-CMU Unity Award

• Fayette Athletic Boosters Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Evan Coats

• Fayette Music Boosters Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Landon Cunningham

• A+ School Recipient

Kevin De La Torre

• Bankhead Family Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Bryleigh Dodson

• Fayette Alumni Association Scholarship

• PEO Chapter GG Scholarship

• Mary Ann Smith Scholarship

• Linn Memorial Scholarship

• Mike Donnelly Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Thomas Elliott

• Cash Valencia Athletic Excellence Award

• Thomas S Davis Scholar Award

• FHS-CMU Unity Award

• A+ School Recipient

Rylee Finley

• Association of Women for Education Sarah Royall Scholarship

• GFWC Golden Study Club Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Melissa Diehl’s Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Kaleb Friebe

• Biswell & Forbes Family Scholarship

• Fayette Optimist Club Scholarship

• Tabor Basketball Athletic Scholarship

• Tabor College Presidential Scholarship

• Faith Family Next Steps Scholarship

• Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Scholarship

• Fayette Athletic Boosters Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Zach Hart

• American Sportsman Forever Scholarship

• MO PAC Scholarship

Oakleigh Hill

• PEO NN Chapter Scholarship

• Avila Women’s Basketball Scholarship

• Bill Maris Memorial Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Fayette Athletic Boosters Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Kate Hutchinson

• Alice Burke Memorial Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Melissa Innes

• Association of Women for Education Sarah Royall Scholarship

• Earl & Julia Weiker Memorial Scholarship

• Mary Pauley Scholarship

• GFWC Golden Study Club Scholarship

• Fayette Optimist Club Scholarship

• Melissa Diehl’s Scholarship

• College of the Ozarks Tuition Scholarship and Work Program

• A+ School Recipient

Lasaydra Jackman

• Fayette Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

• Lincoln Public School Scholarship

• Northwest Missouri State University A+ Scholarship

• Northwest Missouri State University Scholarship

• Quimby/Walker Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Terry L Bush Scholarship

• Melissa Diehl’s Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Cayle John

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Wendy Sunderland Memorial Scholarship

• Melissa Diehl’s Scholarship

• Mike Donnelly Scholarship

Erin McSwain

• A+ School Recipient

Jacob Rye

• My Mo Promise Scholarship

• State Tech A+ Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Hayden Sage

• Bankhead Family Scholarship

• Missouri Valley College Cheer Scholarship

• Missouri Valley College Academic Excellence Scholarship

• First Christian Church Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

Bailey Simpson

• American Legion Scholarship

• Forest Green Farmers Mutual Scholarship

• MACC Superintendent’s Scholarship

• Melissa Diehl’s Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Emitt Schachtele

• American Sportsman Forever Scholarship

Skylar Sunderland

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Wendy Sunderland Memorial Scholarship

• NCMC Athletic Scholarship

• NCMC Academic Scholarship

• A+ School Recipient

Whitley Sunderland

• Alice Burke Memorial Scholarship

• American Red Cross Scholarship

• Wendy Sunderland Memorial Scholarship

• Fayette Athletic Boosters Scholarship

Natilee Wood

• Fayette Optimist Club Scholarship