Riverside Prep’s Class of 2025 honored during two days of ceremonies

Riverside Preparatory Academy’s Class of 2025 graduated on Saturday, May 17, culminating two days of Commencement ceremonies on the historic campus.

 

The weekend began Friday night, May 16, with a military parade at Maginnis Field, and it continued with the Silver Taps ceremony on McLendon Quadrangle. Following a reading of the names of alumni who died during the past year, Echo Taps – the playing of two buglers in echo fashion – was performed.

 

The events concluded Saturday morning with the Academy’s 114th annual Commencement ceremony in Curtis Hall, where students heard an inspiring commencement address from psychologist and author Dr. Henry L. Roediger III, a 1965 Riverside graduate, before receiving their diplomas. It was Roediger’s third speech at a Riverside Commencement, the first as battalion commander and valedictorian at his own graduation and again in 1995.

 

In his remarks, President Robert Brittain Daniel, J.D., recognized cadets who were enlisting in the armed forces, who competed on an athletic or academic team and who had performed community service.

 

“These accomplishments by these young men indeed define the Riverside Class of ’25,” Daniel said. “They have proven their leadership, their intellect, their physicality, their spirit, their grit, and, most importantly, their brotherhood. They are prepared to assume roles as the leaders of tomorrow, the captains of industry, and as responsible husbands and fathers.”

 

The academy’s valedictorian, c/LTC Caleb Baker of Gainesville, and the salutatorian, c/CPT Homero Cuellar of Marietta, were recognized on Friday night for those honors. Baker was also awarded the Sandy Beaver Medal of General Excellence, named in honor of the man who was Riverside’s president for more than a half century, from 1913 to 1969.

 

Other prestigious awards also were announced during the ceremonies. Cadet Farouq Agbaje of Nigeria and Cadet Abraham Safar of Mexico received a dual award as Outstanding International Cadet. Cadet Ryan Li was awarded the RMA Exceptional Scholarship Medal. 

 

Roediger shared memories of his time at Riverside, reminding cadets that many of the life lessons they’ve learned, inside the classroom and out, will be what they remember about Riverside.

 

“I wish you Godspeed towards a great life,” Roediger said. “I believe the habits learned at Riverside will leave you, as they have done me, in a great position to have a successful and rewarding life.”

 

The Riverside Class of 2025 continues a trend of academic excellence. All of this year’s graduates have been accepted by nearly 60 colleges and universities with almost $2 million in scholarships offered. Two graduates were recognized as first to serve, three received four-year ROTC scholarships and one received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

 

Members of Riverside Prep’s Class of 2025 are: