Tivy High School’s 129th graduating class was a rightful celebration of achievement on Friday night at Antler Stadium. It also showed the diversity of the campus, with Senior Class President Pedro Bernal welcoming the thousands in attendance in both English and Spanish.

“We have reached this pivotal milestone. It is with immense pride I stand before you as a first-gen graduate, I’m honored to stand before the Hispanic families tonight,” Bernal said.

It set an inclusive tone for the night. Throughout the evening, the class of 2024 received degrees, including Cecret Flores, the first Tivy life skills student to earn admission to Texas A&M University. Every student, there were 307 in total, who took a walk across the Antler Stadium track to receive their diploma and had a story to share.

Valedictorian Cade Braaten described himself as an outsider to Kerrville, coming from Frisco, Texas, in 2018, but he found many supportive people who shaped his high school experience.

“I’m proud to be graduating with the class of 2024,” Braaten said. “There will be success and failure for those who move on this year. My hope is in all things you will persevere and work toward success.”

And with that, Tivy sent another class of Kerrville’s best and brightest into the world; many will venture to Austin and College Station, but others will journey farther to pursue educational opportunities. Then, the handful chose to commit themselves to the U.S. Armed Forces, all marked by their stolls designating which branch they were joining.

Even in the stifling humidity, which caused at least two medical aids, the enthusiasm from the thousands in attendance couldn’t be ignored. It was a winning night for Tivy and Kerrville.