On May 24th, the class of 2025 graduated from St. Thomas High School. This year’s commencement weekend marked the 125th of its kind at STH, a historic achievement for the graduates and the school.

The celebratory day began with Baccalaureate Mass in Cemo Auditorium, where the graduates and their loved ones enjoyed a heartfelt homily from Father Murphy.

“Today, you are apostles,” he shared. “Today, we send you out to the world. We hope that what you bring is authentic, honorable, joyful, and faithful. We hope that what you bring reflects well on how you want the world to see you. We pray that people, in seeing you, learn something about goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”

Following Mass, the graduates filed out from Cemo onto the field of Granger Stadium, where Principal Aaron Dominguez (‘96) and Salutatorian Mathew Michael welcomed the class of 2025 and their guests, sharing words of encouragement and praise for the graduating class. In his speech, Michael shared insights from his time spent in his grandfather’s garden, where he learned the importance of patience and the noble act of caring for the people—and plants—around him.

“At St. Thomas, we’ve all faced times when things didn’t come easily—whether it was balancing leadership roles with academics or pushing through difficult moments when results weren’t immediate,” he shared. “Like Grandpa’s plants, growth doesn’t always show up right away. Sometimes, we have to trust the process and be patient, knowing that persistence pays off in the end.”

After the graduates walked the stage and received their diplomas, Kurt Hanson (’83), Chairman of the Board of Directors, shared his perspective as an alum, a parent, and a Board Member with the graduating Eagles, highlighting the impact of the Basilian education he received at St. Thomas in his life after graduation.

 

Valedictorian Evan Wisnoski culminated the ceremony with his speech. Wisnoski invoked a sense of nostalgia in his address, reminding the Class of 2025 of all they had experienced together during their time as Eagles, from Camp Aquinas to Communio to witnessing a second Astros World Series win.

“Graduation is an event with a multitude of emotions, as this marks the end of one chapter and the commencement of another,” he shared. “This is likely the last time the entire Class of 2025 will all be together in the same space. However, this does not mean our journey is over, as we are all called to go out and do great things, representing St. Thomas through our actions.”

The Class of 2025, a group of 182 Men of St. Thomas, will go forth buoyed by the words of encouragement shared at their ceremonies and by the support of those around them.

These lifelong learners will continue their studies at colleges and universities across the globe. Some will remain close to home at schools like Texas Tech, Rice, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, or the University of Oklahoma. Others will go on to schools like the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Rochester Institute of Technology, or the American University of Paris.

Regardless of where these Eagles fly, their bonds forged and lessons learned at St. Thomas will carry them through all that life has to offer. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!