New London's 2025 graduation one to remember | 2 NL track & field athletes headed to state | American Legion project

By David Jacobs

Jun 03, 2025

Sunday's graduation for New London High School's Class of 2025 will go down as one for the history books.

The commencement was the first at the school district's new on-campus football stadium/track facility, which was completed earlier this year -- months ahead of schedule -- due to favorable weather conditions last summer and fall, and heading into the start of 2025.

Family and friends joined community members and other guests to celebrate the 56 graduates of the New London High School Class of 2025.

The stands were packed as the crowd witnessed the milestone event in a special ceremony that lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes at the venue off Wildcat Drive on the district campus.

The crowd looks on as the New London High School Class of 2025 is celebrated. (Photos by David Jacobs)

MORE graduation photos here

LIST: 2025 New London High School graduates (click here and scroll down)

The event featured speeches by:

— Class President: Hayley Lynn Frances Spoerr

— Salutatorian: Samuel Tate Landis

— Valedictorian: Ashlyn Raine Mitterling

— New London Schools Superintendent Brad Romano

— New London High School Principal Eric Yetter

And: special performances by the New London High School Concert Band, the New London High School Band (with pieces including an instrumental selection), the high school choir, and the singing of the school's alma mater and the Star-Spangled Banner earlier.

As the ceremony started, the graduating seniors were individually introduced as they walked across the newly planted football field. They were seated in two groups in chairs set up in the track area that was decorated with the Wildcats theme.

The choir and band members were seated nearby. Multiple dignitaries were on hand from the district, members of the New London Board of Education, and an official from EHOVE Career Center.

Each graduate was called to the stage as his or her name was announced to receive their New London High School diploma.

The Class of 2025 is one full of achievements. The program lists at least 17 members of the National Honor Society, three distinguished scholars and nine earning diplomas with honors among multiple recognitions, including for military enlistment.

Graduates posed for photos before and after the event and celebrated with a special parade through the historic village.

Editor's note: Check back for further coverage of the highlights of the inspirational speeches. For professional photos of the graduation, Mitchells Pictures has posted more than 250. A link is available here.

NEW LONDON TRACK AND FIELD EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to New London track and field athletes heading to the state competition at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University:

In announcing record-breaking performances, the school district reports:

-- Madison Smith is regional champion in the 300-meter hurdles. She set another school record time of 45:44, the latest on May 30. That broke her own record 46.00 set on May 28. See video of her latest record here.

-- Smith also qualified for the state track meet in a second event with another school record-breaking time in the 100-meter hurdles, time: 14.89. See video of that record here.

-- Kelsey Pauley finished third in the region in the shot put, sending her to the state competition.

Additional photos are available on the district’s official Facebook page, which can be viewed here.

NEW LONDON AMERICAN LEGION

The New London American Legion Broome Wood Post 292 announced the completion of a major project on Sunday.

"Many hands make light work…American Legion Family working together to plant, edge, trim, and replace the building lettering," it said in a social media update.

Here are some photos taken after the graduation ceremony at New London High School across town.