While Trigg County High School’s Class of 2025 had plenty to celebrate during Thursday night’s graduation in Wildcat Gymnasium — and did so with their confetti and noisemakers and streamers and general silliness — there was palpable pain in each early step to their seats.
Walking in tandem carrying white carnations, every senior passed by two empty chairs and placed their flowers in a bucket — one for 16-year-old Lillyan Williams, of Cadiz, the other for 15-year-old Ethan Wright, of Bumpus Mills, Tennessee — before sitting in their seats, awaiting their turn on stage.
Most were solemn and respectful. Some openly wept, behind a difficult reminder of loss.
Williams died in August 2023, as a passenger in a single-vehicle accident along Glenwood Mill Road and its Little River Bridge.
Wright died in May 2022, near his home.
Graduates Adaline Chalfin and Annie Jo Reynolds respectively offered the Invocation and Benediction.
This year’s Honor Graduates were: valedictorian Lily Smith, salutatorian Mari Kate Ricks, Kristen Oakley, Junior Knott, Chandlar Wilson, Kyla Poltorak, Ansley Boyd, Reese Bush, Aaron Sanchez, Slaton Carter, Hallie Joiner, Gavin Alexander, Avery Wade, Lance Breckel, Connor Long, Brylee Williams, Charlstyn Heath, Joel Hunter, Mackenzie Cooper, Ethan Terrell, Alexandria Smith, Gavin Kline and Chalfin.
Smith, “a proud Army brat,” said she had never been in a school for more than two years due to constant reassignment.
Her father, however, retired out of Fort Campbell, and Trigg County became her high school home.
Ricks, meanwhile, laughed — noting their class at one point had been dubbed “the worst anyone had ever seen,” but something she knows “isn’t true.”
Presented by Superintendent Dr. Rex Booth, “Wildcats of the Year” went to Ricks and Carter, while the revered Clyde Doyle Award — given to a student who has overcome considerable difficulties in order to attain success — went to Nathan Gibbs.
Booth also recognized the 26-year efforts of Trigg County High School’s Band Director Andrew Mroch, who is retiring — leaving behind a seat not many have held in the district’s history. Prior to him was the legendary Alan Baker.
Finishing his first school year with the district, he also got to send this class off in style.
Principal Kristee Barnes also honored international exchange student Julie Dalen, who spent the past year in Cadiz as a native of Norway.
FULL GRADUATION:
CELEBRATION IN SLOW MOTION:
