WEST POINT — As they graduated on Friday, West Point High School’s Class of 2025 was reminded of two important choices among the many they will face.

Choose who you want to be, and choose your friends wisely.

“As you move into a brand new stage of your life, you have a unique opportunity to change and grow in positive ways,” Laurel Byrd, the principal at West Point Middle/High School, told the 57 graduates. “Surround yourself with people who will help you become the best version of yourself. Find friends who share your values, and who share your vision. Choose to be with people who challenge you and bring out the best in you.”

Make the right choices, and the rest will follow, Byrd added — whether students choose a path that leads to college or a career.

“Don’t leave here and hope that something good happens,” she said. “Leave here and go make something good happen.”

During the May 23 ceremony, the school highlighted scholarship winners, including valedictorian Mallory Billet and salutatorian Rylan Stanley, along with 14 students who received associate degrees from Rappahannock Community College while also getting their high school diplomas. Four graduates completed the equivalent of one year of college.

In all, the class received more than $1.1 million in scholarships and awards. Stanley and Terrah Henrich received citizenship awards, while Daniel Gibbs Jr. received the Clarence E. Major Award, which recognizes an outstanding senior.

Also recognized were 17 students who completed industry-based programs in fields such as cybersecurity and game design, welding, cosmetology, emergency medical services, pharmacy tech, culinary arts, and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration.

School board member Leslie-Ann Sturtz told the graduates they had helped strengthen their community and encouraged them to look to bright futures ahead.

“Here in West Point, we are proud of our tradition of excellence,” Sturtz said. “But more importantly, we are proud of our young people — of you.”

In her address, Catherine Billups, the senior class president and recipient of the Leadership Award, spoke of strength, friendships and learning about oneself. She reminded her classmates to not just look at graduation as an individual accomplishment because “none of us could reach this point without the support of the people who have been there every step of the way.”

Daniela Hernandez, the Student Council president, spoke of overcoming challenges. For her, it was learning how to speak English. She reminded graduates that challenges can lead to triumphs, “because it is through overcoming challenges that we grow and become who we are today.”

“Today,” Billups concluded, “marks the beginning of our journey and not the end.”