'You don't have to figure it out all on your own:' Lorain High graduates nearly 500 at George Daniel Field

LORAIN — Graduates and their families packed Lorain Schools' George Daniel Field on Tuesday evening for the district's graduation ceremony. Looking out at the nearly 500 graduates filling the football field, valedictorian Cadee Lee reminded her classmates to have faith, and reach out to one another when things get rough. Many graduates have felt pressure to succeed for their families and community, Lee said, and it is a responsibility none carry lightly by working harder and being better to prove themselves. "I'm not here to tell you not to break barriers or not to continue to work hard," Lee said. 'I'm here to remind you that the same people you're working so hard for, the people who paved the way and believe in you, are the ones you should rely on — you don't have to figure it out all on your own." She reminded her classmates they are all "so much more than our circumstances," especially coming from a city known for its resilience, empathy and showing up for one another. Salutatorian Niko Holmes looked back on his time at Lorain High School as historic — the first graduating class to spend all four years without mask mandates or distance learning since the COVID-19 outbreak, he said. "Personally, my journey wasn't always smooth or easy," he said. "During my earlier years, I made my parents frustrated many times. I had to better myself coming into high school — if not for them, then it had to be for me." The sea of young adults in blue caps and gowns made it, he said. Through years of trials, joy and growth, they are prepared for anything that comes next. "Today is about celebrating how far we've come to get here and how much we have learned about ourselves over the years," he said and later borrowed a line from rapper J. Cole: "There's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success." Penelope Wallace, National Honor Society vice president and 2024 Lorain International Festival queen, highlighted the Class of 2025's service. "Lorain is often misunderstood," she said. "Those who have had the pleasure to live here, however, know the truth. Our city is rich in culture, diversity and resilience. It is a place where people work hard and support one another like a big family — and that is our act of service." That service includes leaning on one another through loss, stress and life events, she said. "Let your legacy be how you served," Wallace said. "Not how popular you were, not how perfect your grades were, but how you showed up for people. How you made others feel seen, heard and valued." Tuesday's ceremony was a return to the home field for the graduating Titans, as the Class of 2024's commencement was held at Avon's Crushers Stadium, as renovations were ongoing at George Daniel Field at the time. More than 6,000 people were standing-room only in the stadium, with all three sets of bleachers packed and families and friends standing around the fence bordering the track to watch the graduates receive their diplomas. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com