Swain County High Class of 2025 says farewell
One hundred and twenty-six Swain County High School students graduated and approximately 121 walked across Swain County Memorial Stadium to receive their diplomas Thursday, May 29.
“As we celebrate this class let us not forget that they have lived through a pandemic in their first year of high school and, this past year, they witnessed the destruction of a devasting hurricane in their own community,” said Sonya Blankenship, principal at Swain County High School. “They have, in many ways, defined what it means to be maroon strong.”
This was Blankenship’s last high school commencement address as principal. Tyler Shuler will replace Blankenship as Swain County High School Principal.
“This senior class is one of a kind,” Blankenship said, prior to introducing the first graduation speaker of the night — Sarahbeth Sutton.
Sutton graduated fifth in her class with a 4.4 GPA. Sutton completed her associate degree from Southwestern Community College while in high school. She graduated magna cum laude from SCC and was on the President’s List. She will attend East Tennessee State University to double major in public health and biomedical sciences this fall. Sutton’s speech focused on class memories.
The next graduation speaker was Dhruv Patel. Patel finished high school with a 4.629 GPA and is ranked number one in his class. Patel was a member of National Honor Society and student council. He was this year’s varsity golf MVP and the male academic athlete of the year. Patel was on SCC’s President’s List and winner of the four-year math award. He also earned the AP English Language and biology academic achievement awards. Patel plans to attend Duke University this fall where he will major in economics. Patel’s speech focused on the future.
Maximus Wilmot was the class salutatorian. Wilmot finished high school with a 4.567 GPA. He was the student body president. Wilmot earned a criminal justice degree from SCC. He will attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall to major in chemistry.
Cassidy Fortner wrote and delivered the evening’s graduation prayer. Fortner was the chief editor of the 2025 yearbook and co-starred as Dorothy in the spring production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Fortner will attend SCC this fall to obtain a cosmetology license. From there, she will study theatre at Western Carolina University.
Dennis Jones, assistant principal at
Swain County High School, recognized class achievements.
Thirty-three Swain High graduates obtained a GPA of 4.0 or higher. Thirty-one graduates wore white collars to represent National Honor Society membership. NHS members are required to maintain a GPA above 3.9, while exhibiting excellence in leadership, character and service.
Twenty-three graduates were named North Carolina Scholars with GPAs of 3.5 or higher, completion of a college university prep course of study and concentration of career technical education, arts education or secondary languages.
Acacia Rutkosky also earned an associate degree from SCC, cum laude.
Eight graduates earned carpentry certificate from SCC and seven earned welding certificates.
Kenadie Hayes completed the Nurse Aide I program and National Nurse Aide Assessment Program to graduate a N.C. certified nursing assistant.
Fifteen graduates completed the Nurse Aide I training program and nine graduates completed the pharmacy technician course.
A total of 83 graduates wore gold cords at graduation to signify completion of a career in technical education pathway program and participation in ACT WorkKeys exam. Eight graduates earned platinum, 16 earned gold, 30 earned silver and 25 earned bronze on the National Career Readiness Certificate.
Some of this year’s graduate participated in the state house leadership conference and SkillsUSA competition. Others earned inventor certifications, food handling certifications, Occupational Safety and Health Administration certifications, American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed certifications, American Heart Association Basic Life Support certifications, AutoCAD certifications and Adobe certifications.
The class of 2025 was awarded approximately $700,000 in scholarships over the next four years.
“We look forward to seeing you be your best and them some and always remaining maroon strong,” said Jones.