Munster High holds Class of 2025 commencement; board president cites academic gains and facility upgrades

At Munster High School’s commencement for the Class of 2025, School Town of Munster officials presented diplomas while highlighting academic milestones and recent facility improvements.

The ceremony matters because board and school leaders used the platform to summarize academic outcomes for the senior class and to acknowledge recent capital work on campus that affected students during their high school years.

Principal Morgan Nolan opened the ceremony by welcoming families and thanking staff, saying the graduating seniors had “traveled quite a journey” and noting that the class had endured a global pandemic and years of construction at the high school. “That construction you lived through wasn’t just about the buildings,” Nolan said. “It’s a great metaphor for your own personal growth.”

School Town of Munster Board of Trustees President Kyle Dempsey addressed the graduates and parents, pointing to several statistics he said illustrate the class’s academic performance. “Forty-one percent of you have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher,” Dempsey said. He also said “85% of you have already earned three college credits while at Munster High School,” that “the average individual credit count for this senior class is 54,” and that “at least 20 of you are continuing your athletic careers at the collegiate level.” Dempsey added that, he said, Indiana requires 47 credits to graduate with an academic honors diploma, using that as context for the class’s credit totals.

Two student speakers framed the graduates’ experience. Clara Hahn reflected on the class’s shared experiences and transitions, saying, “We evolved, adapted, and shone in a thousand little ways that prove just how remarkable we are.” Cole Igu urged classmates to view their schooling as an “investment” in character and contribution, telling fellow graduates, “The world doesn’t need any more conquerors. It needs contributors.”

The program also included musical selections by the Munster High School Chorale under Mr. Luke McGinnis and procedural remarks: school officials asked the audience to remain seated until the full class recessed and directed graduates to move their tassels from right to left as part of the ceremonial rite.

The ceremony emphasized both measurable outcomes cited by the board president and the ceremonial and community aspects of commencement. No formal board actions or policy votes were taken at the event; remarks were ceremonial and informational.

The School Town of Munster and Munster High School listed staff and trustees on stage, and officials repeatedly thanked custodial, operations, and communications staff for their work preparing the field house for the ceremony.