The Fant-Ewing Coliseum at the University of Louisiana Monroe was filled with excitement and emotion Tuesday evening as Ouachita Parish High School honored its graduating Class of 2025. Family members, educators, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the culmination of the seniors’ high school journey.
Nicholas Nelson, the class valedictorian, delivered a memorable and refreshingly candid address that had the audience laughing and reflecting on the graduates’ four years at Ouachita.
In his speech, Nelson admitted to writing his remarks just hours before the ceremony. “I’ve known I had to do this speech for about over a year now, but honestly, I didn’t know what to say, what to do, or how to do it, so I didn’t start my outline until like 9:30 last night,” Nelson confessed to the amused crowd.
Despite his last-minute preparation, Nelson’s address resonated with his classmates as he highlighted memorable moments from their high school experience. “I look back on our time during high school… I thought about the best parts of high school. And I can confidently say that our time was definitely here,” he reflected.
Among the highlights Nelson mentioned was the football team’s victory over West Monroe, which ended a 27-year losing streak. He also reminisced about shared experiences like “block parties and bonfires and homecoming season,” as well as how the class maintained their spirits even during a school lockdown.
Nelson, who proudly noted he was the fourth member of his family to be named Valedictorian at Ouachita but “the first to give a graduation speech,” offered advice to his fellow graduates.
He encouraged them to “enjoy the freedom of youth while we still have it” and to “forge your own path” as they move forward.
“After tonight, none of our paths will ever really be the same. They’re all being paved differently, so make yours uniquely yours,” he advised.
“Just make sure that the path you pave never strays from your end goal. Whether that’s a two or four-year college, the military, the workforce, trade school, parenthood, or the million other avenues in life that may come about, just do it to the best of your abilities.”
The Valedictorian closed his speech with a reminder to his classmates to cherish the moment and remember their roots: “Remember where you came from, as this place has made a major part in our roles of who we are today and the people that we are becoming.”
The ceremony included the traditional presentation of diplomas and turning of tassels, marking the official transition of the Ouachita Parish High School seniors to graduates.
As friends and family cheered, the Class of 2025 celebrated not only their past accomplishments but the promising futures that await them.
School administrators praised this year’s graduating class for their resilience, academic achievements, and contributions to the school community during their four years at Ouachita High School.
