BRIDGEPORT – Four years of hard work and study culminated for the Bridgeport Bulldogs senior class when they accepted their diplomas after a graduation ceremony May 23. They will follow their dreams, equipped with the knowledge, skill and the strength of character fostered by the school district’s and community’s culture.
Families filled the stands at the district gymnasium where Principal Jack Fisher welcomed them to the 151st commencement.
Josalyn Canter, a College Credit Plus student who earned a phlebotomy certificate from Belmont College and is graduating summa cum laude was invited to speak first. She will study radiology at Belmont College. She opened with a quote from “The Lorax,” that a tree falls the way it leans. She asked them to keep this in mind as they leave the safety net of school.
“The storms of life will come. Many of the troubles and obstacles that life will throw at us will be truly unexpected, because you can’t be prepared for everything. How we handle those storms, however, is the true test of our character. A small moment of weakness won’t make us fall, if we have been leaning the right way all along.”
Xander Stauffer, graduating summa cum laude and heading to study graphic design and video editing at Ohio University in Athens, said the journey is what makes the destination worthwhile. He reflected on the dedication and passion of the people around him.
“School as I know it has been here at Bridgeport for the last 14 years, and it will be very strange to see that change,” he said.
“I am proud to say that I am a Bridgeport Bulldog,” he said. “This place to me creates the most comforting and inspiring journeys for students. All it takes it faith and dedication if you want to reach your destination.”
Vanessa Mullen, graduating summa cum laude and heading to Ohio University Eastern to study nursing, said choosing to attend Bridgeport High School was best the decision she could have made.
“My choice was to stay a Bulldog, and it has made all the difference,” she said. She thought of the many valuable lessons she learned, adding that much of the growth and many deep friendships were formed on the softball team.
“I will be leaving here today with many valuable life lessons that high school has taught me,” she said. “Softball taught me that you will never be alone in anything that you do, because you have people behind you to back you up. Softball also taught me to take everything one pitch – or step – at a time.”
She thanked her father and supportive teammates on the softball field.
Taya Cooper graduated summa cum laude and earned 55 college credits. She has enrolled at Ohio University Eastern and will complete the final three years of her Bachelor of Science in nursing. She thanked all who helped her and her fellow graduates, and those who gave them something to rise above.
“For the past four years, I’ve proudly called Bridgeport my high school,” she said. Cooper encouraged her fellow graduates to always continue learning. She shared words of wisdom from her great grandmother: “They can take the clothes off your back, but they can never take the knowledge from your head.”
She said they will go with confidence.
“Despite the worst the world tries to throw at us, we haven’t just survived, we’ve thrived.”
Abigail Bennett-Rush, graduating magna cum laude and going to West Virginia University to study elementary education, thought back to the awkward moments of her and her classmates’ first day at high school, and how far they have come since.
“Bridgeport has been more than just a school. These halls are full of memories of our first real friendships, last-minute studying, and a whole lot of laughter. We’ve grown up here, not just academically but as people,” she said. “We pushed through, we leaned on each other, and together we made it.”
She said the education and life skills would serve them well.
“Congratulations class of 2025, our future is waiting.”
Board of education member Don Cash was guest speaker. A 1975 graduate, this year marks the 50th anniversary of earning his Bridgeport diploma. He described his own graduation ceremony.
Cash became emotional as he spoke about the school district and its influence on his life. He came from a poor family of 10 children, but all are Bridgeport High graduates and that made the difference. He thanked the school and his parents for imparting the importance of hard work, drive and tradition.
“All 10 of us have had a very good life and are successful, and it all started with the influence of this school and the community.”
Cash shared a story of his time as a Bridgeport student. He initially lacked self-confidence until a Bridgeport High speech teacher took a hand.
“She recognized something in me, pulled me aside and really encouraged me. She told me I had so much to offer. She made me stand up and speak in class, something I would never do,” he said. “She saw potential in me that I didn’t think I had, and I’m very grateful for that.”
He shared some final advice for the years to come: maintain integrity and always value character over reputation, live life to the fullest without regrets, and find what they are naturally good at and pursue it.
“Work at your passion, not just for money.”
Finally, he asked the graduates not to forget where they came from. Remember all the alumni who paid it forward to Bridgeport students, and to help others as they were helped.
Ceremonies concluded with singing of the alma mater.
