Homeschool Graduation 2025 Celebrates West Tennessee Students {video}
The Homeschool Roster West Tennessee Homeschool Graduation 2025 was an event of celebration for 15 students as they walked across the Hardeman County Arts Center (HCAC) stage on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Family and friends of the graduates filled the Arts Center in Bolivar, Tennessee for the occasion, which the students had long worked hard to attain.
Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse attended the graduation and welcomed all to the county. Sharing he is a home school father; Mayor Pulse was excited to learn the graduation opportunity is held in West Tennessee for students. He recognized the achievements of the graduates, encouraged them in their future endeavors, and even gave a friendly shout out to four of the graduates who he has known since they were young children.
Graduates participating in the ceremony came from counties all over West Tennessee – Gibson County, Hardeman County, Haywood County, Lawrence County, Madison County, McNairy County, Shelby County, and Tipton County. Even one of the students, who is based in Shelby County, but has been homeschooled while living abroad in Thailand for the past few years, was able to participate. Fourteen students were graduates from HomeLife Academy and one from The Keystone School.
Music selections were presented by Mia Widner on violin and Addison Mitsamphanh on electric guitar. A Memories Video presentation included students sharing favorite moments during their home school journey.
Haley Hysmith, a COMPLETE Coach with tnAchieves was the commencement speaker. She noted graduates often focus on where they are going and reminded them it is equally important to remember from where they have been.
“Remember the events that shaped you, that motivated you, that broke your heart, and that taught you who you are . . .,” said Ms. Hysmith.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Marnina Smeltser, who previously served in that capacity for the 2021 and 2022 graduation ceremonies. Ms. Smeltser, a 2023 graduate from HomeLife Academy, graduated May 2025 Magna Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa with an Associate in Science from Jackson State Community College.
Since home school parents are active on the home school journey from registering their child for school, overseeing their child’s education, and often the primary teacher of all subjects, they too were part of the ceremony. The students were presented their diplomas from their proud parents.
Rain was not able to stop the tossing of the caps. Although done indoors, it was still a lot of fun on the HCAC stage.
Homeschool Roster hosts a prom and graduation for home school students in West Tennessee each school year. The Homeschool Roster prom will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, and the graduation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, both in Hardeman County. To learn more about those events and home school field trips, visit Homeschool Roster or e-mail [email protected].
Each graduate shared about their home school experience, tips for both students and parents, and some of their favorites about West Tennessee. You may read what they shared by clicking the links following their names. The students participating in the graduation were:
Kaija Denae Windell Boyd {read more about Kaija}; Cameron Montrell Brown {read more about Cameron}; Savannah Elaine Cross {read more about Savannah}; Jade Alexia Delaney {read more about Jade}; Hadley Ann Durham {read more about Hadley}; Johnny Wayne Hendricks; Hannah Klayton Hill {read more about Hannah}; Addison Pon Mitsamphanh {read more about Addison}; Susanna Clair Neal {read more about Susanna}; Ava Grace Rhymer {read more about Ava}; Lexy Ciera Staggs {read more about Lexy}; Lilly Noelle Ward; Mia Jeanshu Widner; Kira Sadowsky {read more about Kira}; and Victor Sadowsky.
If you would like to learn more about home school as an education option for your child, you may learn more by reading How to Homeschool in Tennessee.
Register for the Homeschool Roster West Tennessee Home School Graduation 2026.
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