MELVERN, Kan. – On a spring Saturday afternoon, May 10, 2025, Marais des Cygnes Valley High School sent out another graduating class to face the world. During the commencement ceremonies at the Melvern high school, 11 seniors accepted their diplomas amid encouragement and well wishes from family, friends and fellow classmates.
The graduates were also encouraged by this year’s MdCV scholars, valedictorian Evie Stephens and salutatorian Allie Reeser, to make good use of the knowledge learned over their years of schooling. Valedictorian Stephens spoke about how quickly high school passed by, noting in eighth grade she had pondered whether the “next four years would really go by as quickly as everyone says.”
“I don’t know how else to answer that other than: the adults were right,” she said. ”I thought that, surely, time wouldn’t go by as dramatically as parents and grandparents claim, that I wouldn’t really ‘blink and it’d be graduation day’ but I blinked and alas. Here we are. Graduating.”
“[W]e got to senior year in (mostly) one piece. That journey wasn’t pretty, I doubt anyone’s high school experience is, but suffice to say that we’ve lived and learned and grown to like each other a bit more,” she said.
“What exactly the future has in store for us after this ceremony, I know we can’t be sure,” Stephens said, “but we’ve gained enough sense over four years to know that whatever it may be, we will make the most of it while we have it.”
“Of course, we didn’t make it here all by ourselves,” Stephens noted, pointing out the people who had helped along the way – teachers and staff, family members, and classmates.
Salutatorian Reeser also expressed the graduates’ gratitude to all who had supported them throughout their school years. “Each of you has profoundly impacted the development of the students graduating today,” Reeser told the crowd of well wishers. “I speak on behalf of the entire graduating class of 2025 when I say thank you for all the effort you have invested in us up to this day.”
Reeser reminded her classmates, “We have not only gained knowledge in our studies, but also learned valuable life lessons. Some of you might question the necessity of attending class, but gaining knowledge is not the only goal. School has helped us build priceless social skills and instilled in us the value of success.”
Education goes beyond textbooks, she said, “it is about the power to think clearly, to act effectively in the world, and to appreciate life.
“If you believe you can achieve anything and refuse to let others tell you otherwise, the accomplishments you can achieve are remarkable,” Reeser said.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to follow their hearts “and engage in causes that are important to you.”
“It’s not about wealth or notoriety but rather about making a difference and loving what you do,” she said.
MdCV High School Principal Darrin Ashmore presented the class for graduation and USD 456 Board of Education members presented diplomas to the 2025 graduates: Trey Allen DeCavele, Eduardo Javier Mora-Acevedo, Dallen Cole Flatin, Allison Jenae Reeser, Sampson Michael Goddard, Charles Willis Simpson, Katarra Rochelle Harrell, Jackson Isabella Lynn Steggs, Domonic Anthony Lee Knight, Evelyn Bree Stephens, and Montana Ray McCurdy.
Attendants for the commencement were Akyra Traver and Hunter Masenthin, and processional leaders were Kadence Masenthin and Jayden McClintic.
Staff for the 2024-25 school year were: Brian Cordel, superintendent, Darrin Ashmore, principal, Lisa Reeser, counselor, John Bass, administrative assistant, Savannah Bean, administrative assistant, and Cpl. Jackie Beatty, school resource officer. Faculty included John Bass, Kris Collins, Joy Dyke, Amanda Ford, John Giffin, Jason Graf, Amy Lacey, Jeremy Lingenfelter, Pam Martell, Tate Petrie, Matt Railsback, Thomas Roach, Kymbr Simmons, Steve Taylor, and Thad Thurston.
2025 MdCV Senior Plans
- Trey DeCavele is planning for employment at JLK Construction as a heavy equipment operator.
- Dallen Flatin graduated from Washburn Technical Institute, majoring in diesel technician, and plans to work in the diesel industry.
- Sam Goddard graduated from Washburn Technical Institute as an Auto Service Technician and plans to work for MAXX Performance as a mechanic.
- Katarra Jackson will attend Tabor University, majoring in ministry and elementary education.
- Domonic Knight graduated from Washburn Technical Institute as a diesel technician and plans for employment in the oil industry.
- Montana McCurdy graduated from Washburn Technical Institute and majored in carpentry and electrical technology, and is headed to Hutchinson Community College to study fire science.
- Eddie Mora-Acevedo plans to enter the workforce to be employed in animal care.
- Allison Reeser graduated from Washburn Technical Institute and majored in CNA, and obtained 27 college hours in while in high school; she plans to continue her education at Emporia State University, majoring in nursing and fine arts.
- Chaz Simpson is attending Washburn Technical Institute, majoring in welding.
- Izzy Steggs graduated from Washburn Technical Institute, majoring in auto service technician, and plans to attend college, majoring in criminal justice, and work for the Osage County Sheriff’s Office.
- Evie Stephens plans to continue her college education at Emporia State University, adding to 24 hours of college credit earned in high school, and major in music education.
MdCV High School class of 2025 scholarship award winners:
- Katarra Jackson: Lala Beth Weis Memorial Scholarship, $500.
- Montana McCurdy: MdCV Booster Club Scholarship, $200, Melvern/MdCV Alumni Scholarship, $1,000, Quenemo Alumni Association, $500, Osage County Fire District No. 3 Scholarship, $500, Larry, Carol and Jessie Thurston Memorial Scholarship, $100, Woodward, Belt, Heilman, Arb American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 317 Scholarship, $500, William Lucas Memorial Scholarship, $100.
- Allison Reeser: Garard Family Scholarship, $1,000, MdCV Booster Club Scholarship, $200, Melvern/MdCV Alumni Scholarship, $500, Jones Fund Premier Scholarship, a full ride scholarship to ESU for up to four years, Jones Foundation Scholarship, $1,000.
- Evelyn Stephens: ESU, Athletic, Band Scholarship, $2,000, Choir Ensemble Scholarship, $2,000, Honors College, $1,000, Legacy Scholarship, $1,000, Presidential Scholarship, $2,500, Residential Life Scholarship, $1,000, Fellers and Fouts Memorial Scholarship, $1,000, Jones Foundation Scholarship, $1,000, Melvern/MdCV Alumni Scholarship, $1,500, Lawrence Lester McNabb Scholarship, $1,000, MdCV Booster Club Scholarship, $200, William Lucas Memorial Scholarship, $100, Woodward, Belt, Heilman, Arb American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 317 Scholarship, $500.
Photo and information thanks to Lisa Reeser.
