Creating change through kindness: Laconia graduates over 100 students Friday

LACONIA — Over 100 students graduated from Laconia High School Friday evening, in a ceremony moved indoors to the gymnasium due to rain. The weather didn't dampen the spirits of families and friends celebrating the class of 2025.

“As we gather tonight, we look back on a journey of challenges and growth and discovery,” Class President Ethan Byington said. “We’ve arrived at those doors as individuals, but we leave as a united class, bonded by shared memories and shared pride in our community.”

Originally scheduled to be outside on the field, the limited space indoors meant the 116 graduates who walked in the ceremony had eight seats each. A total of 121 students earned diplomas in this year's class. The gym was packed, with people lined up against the walls looking for seats. An announcement went out before the students walked in for guests to signal if any seats were available next to them.

The commencement ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance, then "The Star-Spangled Banner," sung by graduating senior Ryan Giard.

The gym was hot, prompting guests to use their programs as fans, if they hadn't brought one along. Commencement speaker Rick Crockford quipped about the heat.

“You could be just glistening with rainwater instead of sweat. So just think about that,” he said. "It also could have been in the middle school, which is where we've had it when it rained in the past. And you don't want to do that. You don't want to go backwards.”

Principal Lisa Hinds presented academic honor awards to valedictorian Kendora Harper, salutatorian Kathryn Beane and essayist Kardin Nguyen, third in the class. Nguyen, who especially excelled in science and math during his time in high school, will pursue a cybersecurity degree at the University of New Hampshire. Beane has aspirations to become a family practitioner, and will attend Endicott College for a nursing degree. Harper will major in biology and pre-medicine at Fisher College, and has an interest in neurosurgery and anesthesiology.

In Harper's valedictorian address, she talked about her high school journey. In her second year, she realized a passion for learning, which encouraged her to do things beyond the bounds of high school.

“For the past two years, I have been missing from Laconia High School classrooms, as many of my peers have probably witnessed,” she said. “During this time, Lakes Region Community College had been my academic home. But don't worry, it was an amazing experience.”

She completed an associate’s degree from LRCC before her high school graduation. She told her peers to look for new opportunities, think of what they hope to achieve, and take that jump.

“You're the only one that can choose your heart,” she said.

Harper encouraged everyone to lean on people in their lives who support them, to help them find the courage to keep going. She teared up onstage when talking about how her family impacted her, particularly her mother.

“I am lucky enough to say the people in my life who have guided me and helped me where I am today, whether it's my family, friends or community members, they keep their eye on me,” she said. “They gave me the chance to be here tonight, and be proud of who I am.”

Crockford has been employed at the high school for 35 years, serving as everything from math, psychology, social justice or English teacher, to his current position, as a high school equivalency instructor. His biggest piece of advice was to be kind, even if it doesn’t get applause, extra credit or kudos.

“Make sure to greet each day with gratitude, even if it promises to be a no good, horrible, very bad day,” he said.

Hinds gave the final remarks before the students walked. She looked back on the class of 2025's experience, happy they enjoyed homecoming, dress up days, competitions, pep rallies and winter carnival. She emphasized learning doesn’t stop at a textbook, and high school is only the beginning of a fruitful life.

“You are not just learning about change, you are living it,” Hinds said. “And sometimes you are even going to creating that change yourself.”