North Tama County High School Class of 2025 graduates toss their caps in the air in celebration while on stage in the main gym in Traer following the presentation of diplomas Sunday afternoon. This year’s class included 30 graduates; Mason Hosek and Grace Kennedy were honored as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. In a change from past years, the ceremony took place at 3 p.m. in order to accommodate shared Superintendent John Cain’s 2 p.m. schedule with South Tama. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union High School Class of 2025 graduates pose for a group photograph in Matt Auditorium moments before the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18, in La Porte City. This year’s class included 65 graduates; the late Kate Craft (2007-2023), Bradyn Frisbie (2007-2021), and Gavin Rohrbach (2007-2024) were also honored as members of the graduating class. Kengo Uchiyama-Hansen was Valedictorian, while Lily Lorenzen was both Salutatorian and Most Representative. Andrew Sadler was also named Most Representative. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

‘NOW IS WHEN MY LIFE BEGINS,’ proclaims a hand-decorated graduation cap belonging to Gabby Velasco, left, as she and her fellow North Tama Class of 2025 graduates process into the main gym on Sunday afternoon as part of commencement exercises. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama Valedictorian Mason Hosek, left, and Salutatorian Grace Kennedy pictured together Sunday afternoon while in the Class of 2025 receiving line outside the school following commencement exercises. PHOTO BY TRISH KENNEDY

Union Class of 2025 Valedictorian Kengo Uchiyama-Hansen. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

Union Class of 2025 Salutatorian Lily Lorenzen. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

Union Superintendent John Howard, left, flashes a smile while receiving help with his corsage from high school secretary Kenda Gleason on Sunday afternoon in Matt Auditorium ahead of Union’s commencement exercises. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

As his dad Andrew Knaack and younger sister Julie Knaack look on (left), North Tama graduate Kolt Knaack, right, leans in to give his mom Nicole Knaack a hug and a rose just prior to the presentation of diplomas. All North Tama seniors this year were given a rose to distribute to a special individual in the audience as appreciation for their unwavering support. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama graduate Gracie Winkelpleck, right, gives her dad Larry Winkelpleck Jr. a hug after presenting him with her rose during commencement exercises. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union Class of 2025 seniors Kate Carlson, left, and Amilia Condon smile for a photo ahead of commencement exercises Sunday afternoon in La Porte City. Carlson would later receive her diploma from her dad, Union school board member Reid Carlson (not pictured). PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

Union graduate Brayden Bohnsack. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

Union graduate Jillian Worthen. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

Union graduate Avery Knoop. PHOTO BY GRETA VOGELER

North Tama senior Josh Dostal, right, shakes his dad’s hand – school board member Marty Dostal – while receiving his high school diploma. Not pictured, fellow board members David ‘Spanky’ Boldt who presented his son Lane Boldt with his diploma, Doug Dvorak who presented his granddaughter Faith Dvorak with her diploma, and Jenny Sniffin who presented her niece Zoey Rausch with her diploma. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Graduate Lane Boldt and his dad David Boldt. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Graduate Faith Dvorak and her grandfather Doug Dvorak. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama graduate Lillyanna Crowder, center, smiles for a photo alongside her parents, Tracey and Jeff Crowder, following commencement exercises in Traer Sunday afternoon. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama graduate Ava Monat, center, smiles for a photo alongside her sisters Aubree (née Monat) Heitmann (‘22) and Josie Monat (‘30) following commencement exercises in Traer on Sunday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama Class of 2025's Faith Dvorak, center, pictured with her paternal grandparents Doug and Andrea Dvorak. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER