“Long story short,” it read in part. “I survived.”

She almost didn’t. Her message was one of triumph.

“I had a really hard time,” she said. “I didn’t think I would graduate. At the last minute, I was able to get my grades up.”

She was one of 218 seniors who graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High Saturday.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Now an alumni, Graham Conrad waits for his cap to come back down Saturday evening during the commencement for the Fort Dodge Senior High Class of 2025.

Hambly is planning on attending college.

She would like to help in the world at large by becoming a paraeducator with an emphasis on working with students that have behavior issues.

Among the decorated mortar boards, some carried personal messages, some were funny and entertaining, some reflected an interest, and some were there to celebrate and make a point.

Alexander Martinez had some anime art.

The text read Free.Dom.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Angel Gervacio is all smiles as he accepts his diploma Saturday evening during the commencement ceremony for the Fort Dodge Senior High Class of 2025.

“It’s an anime panel,” Martinez said. “It symbolizes the correlation to graduating now.”

Martinez is planning a career in something tech-related, maybe robotics.

He wants to help in the world at large as well.

“The state of the nation for immigrants isn’t the greatest,” he said. “I want to help make people more welcome and reduce fear.”

Felicity Strain and Lakesha Gines decorated their mortar boards as an homage to Dr. Seuss. They were Student 2 and Student 1, respectively.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
About-to-graduate Fort Dodge Senior High student Alexander Martinez checks his phone as the students get ready to line up Saturday evening in Dodger Stadium. He said the anime panel symbolizes his new post-graduation freedom.

“We saw it on a TikTok video,” Strain said. “We thought it was cute.”

Strain is planning on becoming an orthodontist; Gines will pursue a career in nursing.

They both want to help people in their careers — Strain by making sure everyone has a nice smile, Gines by helping others to cope with life’s hard knocks.

The graduating students, parents, their families and friends were welcomed to Dodger Stadium by Principal Staci Laird.

“It isn’t about just earning credits and passing classes.” Laird said. “It’s about the experiences that have built a foundation for you.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The A Cappella Choir sings the National Anthem as the Fort Dodge Senior High 2025 Commencement gets underway Saturday evening in Dodger Stadium.

Superintendent Josh Porter spoke next.

“Take the risk.” Porter said. “Take the job that challenges you. Enroll in the course that intimidates you. Move to the city that inspires you. Meet new people, hear new stories and allow your heart and mind to be stretched by unfamiliar experiences.”

The four valedictorians — Grace Behrens, Abigail Casciato, Kennedie Davalos and Micah Flaherty — kept a united theme in their remarks.

Math.

Behrens had addition, Casciato subtraction, Flaherty multiplication and Davalos — division.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
One of the graduates selected part of the lyrics to the Fleetwood Mac song "Landslide" for her cap decor.

Skye Bainbridge had already taken some of Porter’s advice.

She graduated early and now makes Bowling Green, Kentucky, her home. She’s already studying business at Walden University’s online program.

She has a business plan. She wants to combine a coffee shop with child care.

“Moms can have coffee while the children play.” Bainbridge said. “Not a lot of places have that.”

The ceremony was concluded by Class President Drake Wertz.

After his remarks, he led the cap toss countdown.

“Congratulations to the Class of 2025,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The band had plenty of seniors in red gowns getting to play together for the last time.