Doniphan West High School honored the Class of 2025 during its graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 10. Fifteen seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the culmination of their high school careers and the beginning of new journeys.
Valedictorian Katie Johnson and salutatorian Cassidy Blevins each delivered heartfelt speeches, reflecting on the special moments their class experienced throughout their time at DWHS. They also expressed sincere gratitude to the teachers, family members, and mentors who challenged, encouraged, and guided them along the way.
In addition to awarding the diplomas, several scholarships and special honors were announced. The KSHSAA Citizenship Award was presented to juniors Ella Haynes and Kolter Peterson. Ella Haynes and Judd Prawl were recognized with the I Dare You Award.
Katie Johnson received both the Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award and the prestigious Mustang Award. Kelby Windmeyer was honored with the Janet Libel Spirit Award, while the Chrysalis Award was presented to Brooklyn Rawles.
The ceremony was a celebration of achievement, growth, and resilience, as the Class of 2025 took their final steps as high school students and looked ahead to bright futures.
The seniors' plans and scholarship awards
Cassidy Blanton: (Missouri Western, social work) William R. McQuillan-$1,000, MWSU On-Campus Resident Tuition Waiver-$9,180, MWSU Black & Gold GPA-$2,300, MWSU Black & Gold ACT-$550.
Noah Denton: (K-State, architecture) R.E. French-$2,400, Helen Roland-$1,000, KSU Wildcat Traditions-$2,500, KSU Freshman Wildcat Grant-$900, KSU Kansas Comprehensive Grant-$3,000, Midway Alumni-$225.
Cooper Eberly: (Fort Scott, sports broadcasting, play baseball) Fort Scott Books & Tuition, Norman Gilmore-$1,000.
Brennah Edie: (North Central Missouri College, undecided, play softball) Delbert Larson-$500, NCMC Softball-$5,000, Warren & Nanetta Carter-$750, Janet Libel-$500, DP County Chamber of Commerce-$500, Brown County Veteran's Honor Guard-$500, Judy Fuemmeler-$250, Ted Hutchcraft-$1,000, Midway Alumni-$325.
Myleigh Harrell: (Northwest Missouri State University, Radiologic Sciences) Rainbow Communications-$500, NWMSU University-$1,500, NWMSU Bearcat Advantage-$8,392.
H’Leigha Idol: (HCC, AA then LPN, track team) HCC Psychology-$3,000, HCC Foundation - Bendena State Bank-$2,000, Jade Millwrights-$250, JoAnn Hallauer-$500, Leigh Ann Twombly-$1,000, DP County Chamber of Commerce-$500, DP County Farm Bureau-$1,000, Midway Alumni-$125, Norman Gilmore-$1,000.
Katie Johnson: (Northwest Missouri State University, marketing) R.E. French-$2,400, NWMSU Bearcat Advantage-$8,392, NWMSU Academic Excellence-$3,000, Elks Most Valuable Student-$1,000, Vern Lewis Welding-$2,500, Ag Partners-$1,000, Helen Roland-$1,000, Jade Millwrights-$250, DP County Chamber of Commerce-$1,000, Leigh Ann Twombly-$1,000, Brown County Veteran's Honor Guard-$500, Midway Alumni-$125, Norman Gilmore-$1,000, Doniphan West Booster Club-$250.
Melissa Paolino: (K-State, engineering) KSU Limestone Award-$1,500, KSU Freshman Wildcat Grant-$1,100, Parker Lombard-$1,000.
Hudson Penny: entering the workforce as an electrician.
Lorene Peuker: (University of St. Mary, nursing) USM Dean's-$16,500, USM Departmental Award-$1,000, Masonic Essay Contest-$150, Midway Alumni-$125.
Brooklyn Rawles: (K-State, Animal Science & Industry) Shane D. Pierce-$500, Doniphan West Teacher Association-$250, KSU Agriculture-$500, KSU Limestone-$1,500, KSU Freshman Wildcat Grant-$900, Judy Fuemmeler-$250, Midway Alumni-$525.
Alexa Smith: (HCC) HCC Foundation Emily Frakes-$450.
Jaxson Smith: entering the workforce.
Delainee Waggoner: (HCC, business) Friends of Doniphan West-$1,000, HCC Business-$3,000, HCC Foundation-Bendena State Bank-$2,000.
Kelby Windmeyer (HCC, AA then aviation) Friends of Doniphan West-$1,000, HCC Foundation-Bendena State Bank-$2,000, HCC Criminal Justice-$3,000.