Philip Simmons High’s 170 graduating Iron Horses will cross the stage this week.
The graduating class of 2025 included 13 State Academic Honor recipients and 19 Palmetto Fellows. There are 33 students eligible for the Life Scholarship and 92 eligible for the Hope Scholarship.
Students raked in an estimated $9,397,818 in academic scholarships and $250,000 in athletic scholarships.
Commencement exercises will begin May 30 at 2 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. All graduation ceremonies are livestreamed.
Valedictorian
Parker Benjamin Sullivan
Parents: Tracy and Kenneth Sullivan
Siblings: Mackenzie Sullivan
Awards: Six-time placement in Berkeley County band; Seven-time placement in Regional band; One-time placement in All state Band (First in middle school history); Superior Drum Major rating; 3rd Place 2A Drum Major at Richmond Hill; Director’s Award; Iron Horse Band Service Award; AP Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; Three-time Dean’s list nominee (Trident Technical College); 2nd place 11th grade French Quiz - Beta Convention; 3rd Place 12th grade French Quiz - Beta Convention
Offices held: Vice President - French National Honors Society (2022-2023); President - French National Honors Society (2023-2024); Woodwind Section leader - Marching Band (2023-2024); Drum Major - Marching Band (2024-2025)
Extracurricular activities: Concert Band; Jazz Band; County, Region, and State bands; Marching Band; French National Honors Society; Beta Club; National Honors Society; Robotics 2022-2024
Scholarships earned: John D. Hollingsworth Scholarship - Furman University; College of Charleston Merit Scholarship - College of Charleston; Valedictorian Scholar Scholarship - University of South Carolina; Presidential Scholar Scholarship - University of South Carolina; Palmetto Pact Scholarship - Clemson University; Merit Scholarship - Clemson University; Palmetto Fellows Scholarship; Beta Club Scholarship; PTSA Scholarship
Total scholarships: $221,200
College attending: Clemson University Honors College
Intended major: Psychology
Message to the senior class: “Let your passions guide you to whatever goals you wish to achieve. Your only limit is the sky! Remember, there are far more beauties in imperfections than we realize, so don’t be afraid to walk the rocky paths that beat you down and open the scars of your vices. Your dreams and aspirations await you in your halcyon futures.”
Salutatorian
Joseph William Wright
Parents: Wayne and Sarah Wright
Siblings: Riley Wright
Awards: Outstanding Achievement Spanish 3 Honors Award; Breakfast of Champions Honoree; SCHSL Scholar Athlete Award; Thumbs Up Guys Student Athlete of the Week; Junior Marshall; Male Athlete of the Year, PSHS; Seven-time All-Region Athlete; Three-time All State Athlete; Boys Cross Country Team State Champion; Boys Cross Country Individual State Runner-Up; Boys Track and Field Team State Champion; Boys Track and Field 4x800 Relay Champion; Shrine Bowl Run Select; Beta Club Leadership Award; Palmetto Boys State Graduate
Offices held: Cross Country Captain - 3 years; Track Captain - 3 years; Beta Club President - 1 year; Iron Hearts Club President - 1 year; Ocean Conservation Club Officer - 2 years; Student Council - 1 year
Extracurricular activities: National Honor Society; Beta Club; Iron Hearts Club; Spanish Honor Society Club; Ocean Conservation Club; Recycling Club; Fishing Club; Varsity Cross Country; Varsity Track & Field; Young Life Music Coordinator
Scholarships earned: Palmetto Fellows Scholarship; Palmetto Pact Scholarship; Clemson University Merit Scholarship; National Beta Club Scholarship; Tripp Williams Memorial Scholarship; GameDay Club Scholarship; PTSA Scholarship; Baylor University Merit Scholarship; University of Tennessee Merit Scholarship; University of Arizona Merit Scholarship
Total scholarships: $325,000
College attending: Clemson University Honors College
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Message to the senior class: “Don’t be afraid to try something new. The regret of not trying something and wishing you did is always greater than the regret of trying something and wishing you didn’t. Go out, try new things, and leave the world better than you found it.”
Top 5 Graduating Seniors
Joining Sullivan and Wright are the following seniors:
3. Kyra Wilder Glick
4. Miquel Alomar
5. Cullen Alexander Sweeney
Philip Simmons High’s Graduating Class of 2025
Stella Rozemyn Afman
Israel Jose Alfaro
Miquel Alomar
Gabino Alvarado Gonzalez
Keyianna Yahaira Anderson
Kyle Tristan Bachmann
Evans Joseph Baker
Calynn Grace Barnhill
Gannon O'Neil Barton
Chance Leo Baumgartner
Keaton Grayson Blanc
Riley Nicole Blevins
Lucas Martin Bonazzi
Kendall Maleek Broughton
Jasmine Aaliyah Brown
NaMiaya Evona Brown
Lily Rebecca Buceti
Olivia Jane Buckman
Braydon Chaz Camp
Ryan Wesley Campbell
Manuel Ricardo Carr
Dylan Hunter Casper
James Rendal Chambers III
Chassidy Alyce Champaigne
Katelyn Grace Cheek
Jah'Shawn Vantawn Chisolm
Alexis Dare Clarke
Nolan Richard Clifford
Joseph Aloysius Coates V
Jaylah Shantell Coaxum
Hudson Drue Cobb
Gracie Elizabeth Creson
Deviah Jamyra Cromedy
Blake Michael Darby
Caroline Elizabeth Davey
Grayson Ellicott Davis
Faith Elizabeth DeMaire
Mary Elizabeth Rader Denzel
Connor Iry DeWitt
Maia Olivia Doyle
Corbin Thomas Driggers
Matthew Todd Esse
Elena Grayce Evin
Spencer Robert Farina
Gage William Campbell Fingar
Reece Hannah Foti
Emma Rae Fulton
Quincy Lamar Futrell
Aryhel Jonay Lillian Gant
Audrey Elizabeth Garcia
Rebecca Ann Gehringer
Tajuan Calvin Lapriest Gibbs
Sanaa' Martese Gilliard
Kyra Wilder Glick
Tosh Nathaniel Gramling
Alexis Tyler Granite
Sawyer Alan Greene
Cade Reed Gresh
Harrison Richard Grimm
Parker Emory Groves
Elizabeth Anne Habakus
Brighton Walker Christmas Hahm
William James Song Hamlin
Avalyn Rose Healey
Charles Lowry Helms
Dennis Ronald Hensley III
Sean Matthew Herndon
Alexandria Rae Hilliard
Emma Grace Hoftiezer
Tyson Matthew Holland
Talia Christin Holliday
Myers Conrad Horecky
Frank Charles Jannuzzi III
Kai'lee Deann Jent
Sierra Samantha Johnson
Blake Joseph Jones
Anderson Nicholas Julian
Vera Malhi Keefer
Kolten Christopher Kellermann
Grace Caroline Kelly
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Kennedy
Lauren Mya Kerr
Nicholas James Kirk
Marin James LaBrie
Saara Liisa Aliina Lammi
Claire Frances Lazenby
Mykayla Jani Lewis
Grace Juli Liegl
Grant Winfield Liegl
Kelis Alikae Lincoln
Averi Michelle Looney
Amelia Grace Lyden
Jada Makala Mack
Zion Joyce Madison Mack
Conner Kenneth MacLaughlin
Addison Turner Manning
Taylor Caroline Martinson
Bryce Edward May
Emery Joyce McDonough
Merritt Sage Menis
George Mason Michaud
Jordan Paris Mitchell
Kyra Elizabeth Mitchell
Skylar Chenelle Mitchell
Jose Joel Montano
Saevon Lamar Moore
Pierce Joseph Mullen
Robert Joseph Myers
Luis Angel Navarro
Ian David Newell
Gabriella Allison Nichols
Gibson Gabriel Ohlson
Kyla Michelle Oliver
Tavien Pedro Orellana
Connor William Ortiz
Dillon Dionisio Ortiz
Ella Sinclair Orvin
Illyana Deanna Pannell
Tyler Ryan Parulis
Hannah Lyn Patterson
Wesley Donald Patterson
Luke Filip Pawlik
Matea Noel Payer
Amelia Marin Perkis
Darriel Jaydon Porcher
Audrey Ann Porter
Adriana Jordan Proffitt
Sienna Rayne Pruitt
Bailey Katharine Quiggle
Matthew Alexander Ramsey
Cameron Nathaniel Richardson
Ethan Cole Ritter
Mary Claire Rizzo
Jaiden Renae-Brooklyn Rohs
Francheska Emilia Rosario
Robert Matthew Ryan
Daniel Christopher Scarth
Ava Isabella Schuster
Abigail Marie Shively
Savannah Rhae Shumpert
Carzell Jarvae Singleton
Mary Keller Elizabeth Slaughter
Elizabeth Hamilton Smith
Olivia Rose Sorenson
Gregory Blake Stallings Jr.
Corey Lamar Steed Jr.
Abby Michelle Stuckey
Parker Benjamin Sullivan
Erik Reed Swanson
Cullen Alexander Sweeney
William Roane Taylor
Olivia Mackenzie Terry
William Owen Terry
Mekhi Jaleel Toomer
Maximilian O'Brien Toperzer
Nicholas Hunter Tribolet
Daniel Thomas Trimarco
Quinnero D'amory Vaughn
Pierce Reynolds Walker
Travaris Ta'Mari Walker Jr.
Avery Marie Warren
Rylen Berry Weis
Aidan James Wells
Ciera Amari Whitaker
Riley Stewart White
Ezra Thomas Williams III
Jacari Malik Williams
Khrystopher Antonio Julian Williams
Sha'khia Imani Williams
Joshua Jarell Williamson
Chester William Willis III
Benson Ray Wood
Alondre Shaquile Wright
Joseph William Wright
Matthew Len Yaun Jr.