GILPIN COUNTY - Gilpin County School’s Class of 2025 graduated on May 24, 2025, in an outdoor ceremony attended by family members and friends. 

The graduates processed into the ceremony to the ever-traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.”  

The commencement speaker was Dawn Blake. Blake is a math teacher at the school and has known this class for many years. She talked about many of the students personally. She told them that setbacks will come, but encouraged them to persevere and move forward with confidence. Blake wants the graduates to be persistent in life.

In closing, she quoted her own mom: “Have fun, be safe, I love you, and don’t do anything stupid.”

Salutatorian Joseph Lintner and Valedictorian Eliza Westbrook were class speakers. Lintner spoke about the emotions of the day and how important it is to be present in the moment.  

He gave a sincere thanks to the teachers, his fellow graduates, and their families. 

Westbrook spoke about the “lasts” that they had experienced during their senior year. Now they are facing many new beginnings. She quoted Winnie the Pooh: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

School counselor Kim Cobb then announced scholarships and what each graduate plans to do after graduation. 

Gilpin High School graduations have a traditional flower ceremony. The graduates take flowers and give them to family members, friends, and school staff who have played an important role in their lives. It is a time during the ceremony that shows gratitude and thanks. 

It was now time for the Class of 2025 to receive their diplomas. Secondary Principal Sara Reich read their names and Board of Education President Sarah Swanson handed each graduate their diploma. The audience cheered!

The Gilpin County High School Class of 2025 was presented by Principal Reich and hats went flying in the air. 

Congratulations graduating class of 2025!