Largest Graduating Class in History of BHS Honored at Annual Commencement Ceremony
By Chris Johnson on May 22, 2025
The Bridgeport High School Class of 2025 made the transition from students to graduates on Thursday at the annual commencement ceremony at Wayne Jamison Field.
And it do so as the largest graduating class in school history – 218 members strong.
The Class of 2025 exceled like no other in academics, athletics and the arts and Thursday’s commencement just touches the surface of four years of memories and a lifetime of bright futures.
“Today we celebrate the achievements, perseverance and remarkable talents of this graduating class,” BHS Principal Renee Mathews said during her opening remarks. “You have left an undeniable mark on our school and community.”
Mathews informed the capacity crowd that the Class of 2025 has earned for the first year of college a total of $2.3 million with a four-year total of renewable scholarships that are more than $9 million.
Senior Class President Olivia Poling, Miss BHS Calleigh Morgan, Mr. BHS Jonah Camenga and Senior Class Vice President Amelia Romano all gave passionate speeches that looked back fondly on their time at BHS and offered advice for a successful future.
Poling welcomed everybody with a heartfelt message.
“We will go make new friends, start careers that will take us out of our comfort zones and learn a million new things along the way,” Poling said. “As we take the next leap into our lives, let’s not forget what got us here, the very people sitting next to you, our families in the stands and the teachers who shaped us into who we are today.”
Morgan’s speech centered around one crucial word – involvement.
“As we look ahead to the start of our futures, there is one idea I want to stress with you,” Morgan said. “Get involved. If you have yet to find your opportunity to get involved, so far we have only lived about 20 percent of our lives so you have plenty of time to show up and make a difference.
“Get involved in your communities wherever you end up. Get involved with your work. Get involved with the lives of the people around you because when you get involved you don’t just build a resume, you build a life.”
Camenga’s speech focused on love and compassion.
“We can either choose to drift through life passively interacting with everyone we meet and never making any real effort to connect with them or care for them,” he said. “Or, we can choose to take every possible opportunity we can to demonstrate the kind of love to others that will inspire them to show to the people around them.”
Once they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and once their tassels had been turned and once their caps had been tossed into the air, Romano had one final message to leave her classmates with before they exited Wayne Jamison Field as high school graduates.
“Over the years we forged friendships, faced challenges and created memories that will last a lifetime,” Romano said. “As we move forward, let us embrace the future with open hearts and minds. We may be heading our separate ways but the spirt of our time together will always remain in our hearts.”
Thursday’s ceremony also featured a moving duet of “For Good” by Class of 2025 members Lillyanna Smart and Sarah Yearego and a dynamic performance of the alma mater by the BHS band.
The complete list of the Class of 2025 can be viewed HERE
Editor's Note: Top photo by Joe LaRocca shows the Class of 2025 throwing their caps in the air. Second photo is of Miss BHS Calleigh Morgan and bottom photo is of Mr. BHS Jonah Camenga.
