Student speakers, including Brianna Runchey Smalley, reflected on the Marshall High School class of 2025’s path to graduation, during commencement ceremonies Friday night. More than 200 MHS seniors received their diplomas this spring.

MARSHALL — It’s a long way from kindergarten to high school graduation. If you do the math, it breaks down to 955,500 minutes at school, said Marshall High School student Brianna Runchey Smalley.

“Today’s the day we dream about, talk about and work towards for what feels like forever,” Runchey Smalley told the MHS class of 2025. “We finally made it.”

Graduates at MHS commencement ceremonies Friday night said they got to this point with help from community members, teachers, friends and family.

On Friday night, 197 MHS seniors took part in commencement ceremonies. A total of 208 students were graduating in the class of 2025, said MHS Principal Brian Jones. Nine members of the class of 2025 will be going on to serve in the military, Jones said.

The program also included a special recognition of three longtime Marshall teachers who were retiring this spring. Jones said Brenda Elton, Nonna Gutman, and Holly Knudson had a combined 107 years of teaching experience with Marshall Public Schools.

“Your dedication, service and care for the young adults of the Marshall community will not be forgotten or easily replaced. Thank you,” Jones said.

Students faced a lot of ups and downs along the path to graduation, student speakers said Friday.

“Through it all, we didn’t just survive. We grew,” Runchey Smalley said. “That growth is what we’ll carry to the next chapter of our lives.”

Runchey Smalley, Paige Gillingham and Dylan Larson reflected on some of the emotions that went with the experience of graduating.

Gillingham said graduation could come with uncertainties.

“Many of you may be sitting here ready to take that next step, and some may be scared,” she said. “Thanks to our high school experiences, that next step seems a little less scary.”

Graduates learned a lot through their time at school, including how to deal with change and how to get along with others, Gillingham said. Teachers, family members, and friends all played roles in supporting graduates and shaping who they are today.

“As we accept our diplomas when we walk across this stage, just know that even if it seems scary to you, you have experiences and lessons and a future to look forward to, that help guide you in your journey,” Gillingham said.

Larson said it was the support of other people that helped graduates get through hard times in school and life, and called on the class of 2025 to share their light with others.

“High school can be a dark place. But in dark places, you must find a light,” Larson said.

Larson said some of the places he had found light at MHS came from community members, friends and teachers. While friend groups can change over the years, many students found friends they could talk to about anything, he said.

“Most of us would not be able to be here, or go through high school, without someone like that. So next time you see someone that has helped you find your way, someone that helps put a spark in your eyes or even a smile on your face, let them know how much you appreciate them,” he said.

Larson said MHS teachers were also welcoming and showed they cared for their students, Larson said. “Thank you for shining so much light into our lives,” he said.

While bad moments do exist, Larson said, “We all have to know that there are things that can help, things that help bring light into our darkness.” As the class of 2025 graduated, Larson said he hoped graduates would continue to spread light.