Class of '25 set to graduate 203 in two ceremonies Saturday

Local school division graduated 261 one year ago, 22.2 percent decline

~ PVN staff report

Page County Public Schools is set to graduate 203 local students between two ceremonies set for 10 a.m. at Luray High School and 6 p.m. at Page County High School on Saturday, June 7.

Nearly 50 percent of the local graduating Class of 2025 (101 students) plan to further their education at various colleges, universities or trade schools — up 7 percent from last year, and up 4 percent from two years ago. The largest portion of those students (53) will be attending two-year community colleges this fall — 26 percent of all local graduates; while 33 students are headed for four-year colleges and universities (16.3 percent) and 15 will be attending a trade or technical school (7.4 percent).

While the overall percentage of county graduates continuing their education was the highest in three years, the number attending a four-year college or university dropped 34 percent below the local Class of 2024. This year’s 33 students shows a two-year drop from 50 a year ago, and 52 in 2023.

It should be noted that the total number of anticipated graduates in the county fell by 22.2 percent this year, from 261 a year ago to 203 this June. There were 253 graduates in 2023.

Among those 101 graduates continuing their education, nearly $1.4 million in scholarships was awarded. Of that, $126,250 was provided through local donors and organizations, while more than $1.2 million was provided through institutional merit awards and other various scholarships.

Six members of the local Class of 2025 will graduate high school with two-year associate degrees earned through dual-enrollment classes at Laurel Ridge Community College. Another 30 graduates have earned one-year certifications through Laurel Ridge known as Uniform Certificate in General Studies (UCGS).

A total of 58 graduates (28.6 percent) will enter the workforce — last year it was nearly half the graduating class. At least a dozen graduates this year have enlisted for military service (11 last year).

The LHS ceremony will kick off at 10 a.m. with words from outgoing Principal Nicole Clark, before her move next month to the Central Office. Luray’s student speakers include Patrick Ryan, Laurel Webb and Evie King.

The PCHS ceremony begins at 6 p.m with Mackenzie Robertson as the featured student speaker.

Below are graduate stats provided by each high school in the county:

LURAY HIGH SCHOOL — Class of 2025

97 graduates (124 last year, 137 two years ago)
18 will be attending a four-year college or university (23 last year, 30 two years ago)
33 will be attending a two-year college (21 last year, 29 two years ago)
5 will be attending technical schools (10 last year, six two years ago)
10 will be entering the military (10 last year, six two years ago)
31 will be entering the workforce (56 last year, 61 two years ago)
67 local scholarships totaling $48,250 (73 for $54,300 last year; 83 for $55,150 two years ago)
$787,097 total reported scholarships awarded ($962,314 last year; $1.2 million two years ago)

LHS Class of 2025 academic achievements provided by the school:

20 Seniors are Distinguished Scholars – 4.0 or higher GPAs (13 last year; 25 two years ago)
8 Seniors are Honor Graduates – 3.8 -3.99 GPAs (six last year; seven two years ago)
16 Seniors are Honor Students – 3.3 – 3.79 GPAs (16 last year; 24 two years ago)
58 Seniors have GPAs of 3.0 and above (53 last year; 77 two years ago)
7 Seniors had all A’s for their entire 4 years of high school (nine last year; eight two years ago)
26 Seniors are Early College Scholars (have 15+hours of transferable college credit with Advanced Diploma and B average) (20 last year; 30 two years ago)
56 Seniors (almost half of the class) earned Advanced Studies Diplomas (additional math, science, social studies, foreign language requirements) (52 last year; 65 two years ago)
13 Seniors are in National Honor Society (11 last year; 19 two years ago)
21 Seniors are in Spanish Honor Society (14 last year; 21 two years ago)
2 Seniors earned Associate’s Degree (2 year degrees) from Laurel Ridge Community College concurrent with high school (three last year; two in 2023)
19 Seniors earned Certificates in General Education or a Health Science Certificate (1 year degree) from Laurel Ridge concurrent with high school (14 last year; 18 in 2023)
21 Seniors completed course requirements and received a certificate at Page County Technical Center (27 last year; 28 in 2023)

PAGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL — Class of 2025

106 graduates (137 last year; 116 two years ago)
15 will be attending a four-year college or university (27 last year; 22 two years ago)
20 will be attending a two-year college (23 last year; 14 two years ago)
11 earned a one-year certificate from Laurel Ridge Community College (22 last year)
4 earned a two-year associate’s degree from Laurel Ridge Community College (4 last year)
10 will attending a trade school (seven last year; nine two years ago)
2 will be entering the military (one last year; four in 2023)
Over $78,000 in local scholarships ($86,00 last year; $70,453 two years ago)