Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2025
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
On May 19, 2025, the Class of 2025 celebrated a momentous milestone. Their beautiful commencement ceremony, attended by their families, teachers, special guests and friends was filled with inspiration and heartfelt advice.
As the graduates stand on the threshold of a new chapter, leaders, members of the community, and alumni shared words to guide and empower them.
ACS President Emily Sargent Beasley reminded graduates that they "begin from a place of strength" and encouraged them to embrace growth with kindness toward themselves and others.
"You are meant to grow, to stretch, to discover more of who you are—not less. But make no mistake: you do not start from nothing. As an ACS graduate, you begin from a place of strength.
"I understand that you might feel as if you are standing at the edge of something vast. You are. That feeling doesn’t mean you’re unprepared—it doesn’t necessarily go away– it means you’re paying attention.
"And through all that is to come, I hope you remember to be kind to yourself and kind to others. The pressure to always do more, be more, prove more—it can distract you from what’s already true: the world doesn’t need a more polished version of you. It needs you."
Trustee Frank Bauer urged them to harness the critical thinking skills they have gained and to "come back and give back" when success comes their way.
"Whatever you think you'll be doing in the future you're going to come across challenges that in no way you could envision at this time and feel prepared. At ACS you are picking up skills, like critical thinking, skills that will help you be successful. And when you are, think about coming back and giving back."
Assoc. Prof. Chavdar Ghiuselev passionately warned against complacency in his powerful keynote speech.
"Do not quit, do not stay indifferent, do not withdraw. If you do, the freedom that is now yours for the taking can very quickly be replaced with that dark and hopeless state. Freedom is fragile and tender and needs nurturing and defending. It is not freely given and gifted, it has been won with sacrifices that should not be forgotten."
(Read the full text of Prof. Ghiuselev's keynote address on our blog.)
Class of 2014 alumnus Kosta Karakashyan inspired the graduates to "stay open, curious, and brave," encouraging them to boldly write their own unique stories as they step into the future.
"Stay open. Not just to success, but to all those parts of your story that you think don’t make sense. The surprises that will find you are what will make your life special. The next chapter is just around the corner.
"Stay curious. The world is so much bigger than the path we see in front of us. Bigger than one job, one identity, one city. You are allowed — no, you are encouraged to go off-script every once in a while. Do it for the plot.
"And above all — stay brave. Be brave enough to write your own story, even when it’s messy, even when it doesn’t make sense. The best screenwriters know that tension, doubt, and confusion are necessary ingredients in any film worth watching.
"You might be at the end of high school, but you’re also standing at the beginning of your own script. And you’re the one who’s holding the pen.
"So write boldly and trust the story you’re meant to tell.”
Looking at her classmates, valedictorian Yoana Troeva saw "a class that truly can make this world a better place."
"Within you there is a passion that is not bound by grades or school. It is tied to the community around you, it is tied to life itself. More specifically, to the life you envision for yourself. Never let go of that vision. Develop it, nurture it, and make it real so that others can see it, too."
Congratulations, Class of 2025! The world needs you: stay open, curious, and brave - and shine on!
