No matter the path, you are made for more than just a moment. You were made to make a difference.”

Mason Gay, Class President

Owen Withee High School
832 W 3rd St
Owen, WI 54768
View larger map

The Owen-Withee Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 was held on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. Thirty-five seniors marched into the gymnasium to “Fanfare and Processional” as performed by the Owen-Withee School Band, directed by Ryan Gutsch. Once everyone was seated, High School Principal Nate Johnson, welcomed everyone. Principal Johnson spoke about the dedication, determination, and the perseverance of the Class of 2025 and how they should reflect on this time and the growth that they experienced and to thank everyone that helped get these graduates to where they are today. His most important piece of advice to the graduates is that, “I hope that you will take time for gratitude. None of us achieve success alone. Look around you at the parents who supported all of your pursuits. The teachers who challenged you to exceed your own expectations. The coaches who pushed you beyond perceived limitations. The friends that stood by you during difficult times and the community that has invested in your education. Your success is their success too. The simple words ‘thank you’ hold tremendous power. I encourage you to share them generously today. Class of 2025, as you dare to venture into the world beyond our school, carry it with you. Not only the knowledge you’ve gained, but also the values you’ve cultivated here. Remember that true success lies not merely in personal achievements, but in how you contribute to the betterment of others.”
Class President, Mason Gay, spoke of the accomplishments that the class had. That they didn’t decide to go quietly, that they made a lasting impact. Football State Champs, Basketball state qualifiers, Track record setters in addition to their accomplishments in Band, Choir, Drama, FBLA, FFA, among many others categories. He highlighted that they met every challenge and exceeded the expectations placed on them. The technical glitches that Mason experienced showed just how the Class of 2025 reacts. He took it in stride and spoke louder to make his voice heard. He highlighted the legacy that the class is leaving behind and thanked the staff, the families, and his classmates. He ended his speech with these words, “As we close this chapter, I am grateful beyond words. For every moment that we spent side by side. Now, as we prepare to take the next step of life, I hope we can take this truth with us. Success is never accidental. It is a choice. A series of small daily decisions. To show up, work hard, and keep going when it would be easier to quit. Now as we prepare, there is one thing I know about the Class of 2025, it is this…we know how to choose greatness. Wherever life chooses to take you, college, career, service, or something still uncertain; choose to be your best. Not the best. Your best. Because when you do that, every room you walk into will be better because of it. Some of us may chase big dreams, some will build quiet legacies, some will still be figuring it out one step at a time. And that’s okay. No matter the path, you are made for more than just a moment. You were made to make a difference. One day people will ask what was in the water in Owen-Withee back in 2025. And they’ll realize, it wasn’t the water. It was us. SO let’s go show the world what the Owen-Withee Class of 2025 is made of.”
Following Mason’s speech was the address of Salutatorian Angela Baures. Her speech focused on the pursuit of perfection and the inevitable failing. That mistakes are a certainty and that it is only truly a mistake if you don't learn anything from it. Mistakes and successes work together to make up who we are. She asked for a moment of silence to think about the failures and successes that have helped you grow as a person. She encouraged her class to take all that life has, mistakes and all.
Following her speech was the vocal selection “For Good” by Roger Emerson as performed by the Owen-Withee School Choir. After that Kendall Weiler made her Co-Valedictorian speech. Kendall started her speech by sharing her gratitude towards her classmates, her friends, the staff and administration at school, the teachers, her coaches, her family, her parents, and God. Her focus then turned to her three biggest takeaways. The first being that if you want to succeed, you need to get used to being uncomfortable. The second, is that while moments will pass, the lessons you learn from them will stay with you. The third is that High School is just the beginning of the rest of your life. That it provided the foundation to find out who you are. But you get to gain more wisdom as you get older and become who you were meant to be. Kendall hopes that everyone in the Class of 2025 has a life full of successes, growth and happiness and reminded them that this is just the beginning.
Mason Gay made his Co-Valedictorian speech next. He said that they are at the point in their lives where they get to decide their own future. He encouraged everyone that they don’t owe anyone anything. The world changes when people decide to change it. That each member of the class is destined for something different even if they all started in the same place. “Don’t just chase the dream. Fight for it, work for it, sacrifice for it. And when you get there, reach back and pull someone else up. This life is yours. So make it count, make it loud, and make it yours without an apology. Congratulations to the Class of 2025. Now let’s go show them what unstoppable looks like.”
The Co-Valedictorian speeches were followed by a performance of “Into the Storm” by Robert W. Smith as performed by the Owen-Withee School Band. After that Dr. Julie Wendler presented the 2025 Doonan Award to Tom and Sheri Roland for their support of the school over the past 30 years as proud Owen-Withee Alumni, in addition to sponsoring and hosting events at Munson Bridge Winery.
After that was the presentation of diplomas by Superintendent Randy Bergman, Principal Nate Johnson, and Dr. Julie Wendler. Once all graduates received their diplomas, Principal Johnson presented the graduates, and Class President Mason Gay, led the class in the turning of their tassels and officially becoming Owen-Withee Alumni.
The ceremony ended with the “Fanfare and Recessional” as performed by the Owen-Withee School Band. Friends, family, and community members could then congratulate the graduates in the hallway after the ceremony.