They walked into Raider Stadium as seniors and left as high school graduates. Friday night, 469 students from Habersham Central High School and 17 from the Habersham Success Academy celebrated thirteen years of academic achievement.
The stadium was filled to capacity as the seniors received their diplomas under a clear sky and the proud, watchful eyes of their family and friends. The Class of 2025 graduation ceremony marked a milestone evening for the students, faculty, and community, capturing the spirit of achievement, inspiration, and new beginnings.
The event opened with a show of patriotism and tradition as the Habersham Central Air Force JROTC Color Guard presented the colors. Eagle Scouts Jaron Horton and Callum Osborne led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a powerful saxophone rendition of the National Anthem by graduate Joshua Burris.
A highlight of the evening came from Dr. Brian James, the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, who returned to his alma mater to deliver the keynote address. A 1990 graduate of Habersham Central and the current pastor of Level Grove Baptist Church, James captivated the audience with a message built around four symbolic animals: the ant, the rock badger, the locust, and the lizard.
Each creature, he said, embodies a key to success:
- The ant symbolizes discipline. “The ant prepares in the summer for the winter. It has ambition, but also discipline,” James said, urging graduates to think long-term and act with purpose.
- The rock badger builds its home high among the cliffs. “It builds on something stronger than itself. If you want to find success, build your life on something greater than yourself—or greater than the opinion of your buddy,” he advised.
- The locust, though unimpressive alone, finds power in community. James encouraged students to “find a community that pulls you forward,” especially as many prepare to move away for college, work, or other paths.
- The lizard, he explained, represents audacity. Telling a story of a lizard approaching King Solomon despite royal guards, James said, “If you want to see success, you’ve got to have a little audacity.”
He concluded with a memorable charge to the graduates: “As you leave here, go with the discipline of the ant, the humility of the rock badger, the community of the locust, and the audacity of the lizard.”
The evening’s tone was one of celebration and reflection, honoring not just academic achievement but the values and lessons that will guide these graduates into the next chapter of their lives.
As the sun set over Raider Stadium, caps were thrown, tears were shed, and the Class of 2025 stepped forward—ready to make their mark.
Now Habersham’s Daniel Purcell captured the ceremony at Raider Stadium by air and on the field.
The graduation in Habersham was among many held across Northeast Georgia Friday night, May 23. Ceremonies were also held in White County and Stephens, Banks County, Elbert County, Franklin, Hall County (North Hall High and Chestatee High School), Hart, Oconee, Rabun, Towns, and Union counties, among others.
Flowery Branch and East Hall High students graduate on Saturday, May 24.
