Fifteen Callaway High School seniors gathered in the school gym for the final time as classmates on Sunday, May 11, as the Class of 2025 closed the book on an important chapter of their lives.

The phrase the class chose as their motto is, “How lucky are we?” With the class colors of navy and ivory, the seniors entered the gymnasium filled with family members and friends as Pomp and Circumstance echoed from the band.

Greeters for the ceremony were Conner Paulsen and Kelynn Witthuhn, and serving as ushers were Aubrie Birkel and Dylan Pandorf. The graduates and guests were treated to a walk down memory lane, and visions of hope for the future through messages by Salutatorian Greeley Hrupek and Valedictorian Addison Bailey.

The choir entertained those in attendance with an emotional song, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”.

Officers for the Class of 2025 were: Joslyn Edgington, president; Bo Brennan, vice president; Uotong Haidle, secretary; and Addison Bailey, treasurer. Senior student council representatives were Greeley Hrupek and Harper Johnson.

Following the presentation of scholarships by Guidance Counselor Denise Sughayar, and the conferring of diplomas by School Board President Michael Reiff, the graduates exited the gym to the Pink Floyd classic, “Another Brick in the Wall”.

The CHS Class of 2025, future plans, and scholarships received, are as follows: 

Caeden Arnold plans to attend Colorado State University and study music therapy. She is receiving the Exelsior Scholarship, Dorothy Redfern Memorial Scholarship, and Shari Wolken Memorial Scholarship.

Addison Bailey plans to attend Doane University and major in engineering. She is receiving the Team-Mates Michele Northrop Memorial Scholarship, Doane University Academic Excellence Scholarship, DK Get Going Scholarship, Nebraska State Bank Customer Scholarship, American Legion Auxiliary Memorial, Broken Bow Elks Lodge #1688 Past Exalted Ruler's Scholarship, Great Plains Communications Customer Scholarship, Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship, Hazel R. Walker Memorial Scholarship, Callaway United Methodist Church Scholarship, Estergard UMC Vocational Scholarship, and Custer County American Legion Auxiliary Educational Grant.

Kyle Bloomer plans to move to Grand Island and work as a welder.

Bo Brennan will attend Southeast Community College in Milford and study Energy Generation Operations. Bo is receiving the Richard & Print Zutavern Memorial Scholarship, Broken Bow Elks Lodge #1688 Most Valuable Student Scholarship, Broken Bow Lions Club Scholarship, Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship, National Utility Contractors Association of Nebraska Scholarship, Monolith - Roger Stiles Memorial Scholarship, Hazel R. Walker Memorial Scholarship, Callaway United Methodist Church Scholarship, and Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Scholarship.

Chance Dishman plans to attend Mid Plains Community College in North Platte and study Automotive Technology. He is receiving the InterHigh Day Scholarship, and MPCC Visit Day Scholarship.

Joslyn Edgington will attend UNL and major in Graphic Design. She will receive the Broken Bow Elks Lodge #1688 Most Valuable Student Scholarship, UNL- Hall Family Scholarship, UNL- Leonard Harpstreith Scholarship, Nebraska Promise Scholarship, Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship, Sandhills Out Reach Charity Scholarship, Kelley Jo Gavin Memorial Scholarship, Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship, Hazel R. Walker Memorial Scholarship, Callaway United Methodist Church Scholarship, and Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Scholarship.

Uotong Haidle plans to attend UNO and study aviation. He is receiving the Sam and Adaline Bailey Memorial Scholarship, Custer County Foundation Board of Directors 2025 Scholarship, UNO Academic Achievement Scholarship, Callaway Education Association Scholarship, Haven and Virginia Smith Scholarship, Bev and Tony Pitkin Scholarship, Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship, and Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Scholarship.

Colton Hicks plans to continue to work as a welder.

Greeley Hrupek plans to attend UNK and study nursing. She will receive the UNK Loper Achievement Scholarship, Jeannie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship, Callaway District Hospital Scholarship, One Box Pheasant Hunt Ladies Board Scholarship, Callaway Education Association Scholarship, Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship, Ted and Sadie Griffith Scholarship, Ron and Em Jorgenson Memorial Scholarship, Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Scholarship, Bryson Booker (Alternate), and Haven and Virginia Smith (alternate).

Harper Johnson will attend Northeast Community College and study to be an Electrical Lineman. He will receive the Robert Gavin Memorial Scholarship, Broken Bow Lions Club Scholarship, St. Boniface Catholic Church Scholarship, Custer Public Power Scholarship, St.Joseph Catholic Church Scholarship, One Box Pheasant Hunt Scholarship, Bryson Booker American Legion Post #59 Scholarship, Susan Thompson Buffet Scholarship, Sandhills Out Reach Charity Scholarship, Hazel R.

Walker Memorial Scholarship, and Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Scholarship.

Dawson Mason will continue to work in Callaway.

Caleb McFate plans to stay in Callaway and work.

CJ Quandt plans to take a gap year to work and help at Bible camp.

Allison Trumbull plans to attend the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center in Chadron and study Office Administration.

Carter Wood plans to attend Southeast Community College at Milford to study Diesel Technology, through sponsorship from Power Solutions in Broken Bow.