BY DEBBIE PAGE

Blustery winds and gray skies did not dampen the spirits of Mooresville High School graduates as they received their diplomas to the cheers of their families and friends at Coach Joe Popp Stadium on Saturday morning.

Kendall Mink delivered opening remarks to her classmates, urging her fellow students to “yoyo,” because “you’re only you once.” As they grew, made mistakes, and set goals in high school, they were becoming the individuals they chose to be.

“My advice for the Class of 2023 is to simply take it all in,” Mink said. “Take in every success and every failure because we must be able to both appreciate our achievements and learn from our errors.

“Don’t live for the validation of others, and always place yourselves in an environment that allows you to progress. It is okay to outgrow things and people as it marks maturity. Take risks, have humility, and stay open-minded.”

Mink also urged nurturing their relationships because it’s always good to have people to support them, noting the many obstacles the class has to overcome with only 1 “normal” year of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education Chair Greg Whitfield gave congratulated the graduates on behalf of the board and offered praise for their hard work and perseverance.

“This is your moment. You should be very proud of what you achieved to qualify to get here,” he said. “Graduating high school is not something that we do every day. It is a milestone representing the culmination of 13 years of formal education, a personal achievement that you will always have that can never be taken away.”

“Celebrate it! But also remember to be mindful of those around who have helped you reach this moment. It is also a day for your family and friends to celebrate and be proud of your accomplishments.”

MGSD Superintendent Jason Gardner also welcomed the guests and congratulated students.

Honor speaker Zainab Barrie thanked family, friends, and faculty who helped the graduates get to this moment. She reminded her classmates that no one thing defines them; rather, each person is a complex mixture of many facets.

Though mistakes are inevitable, “one bad grade, game, performance, or job does not define your entire story,” Barrie said. “There will be ups and downs in our future, but we cannot let it stick forever. We shake it off and keep going.”

She urged her peers to celebrate their accomplishments and abilities, to not be so hard on themselves, and to keep moving forward.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory, so I implore everyone to appreciate this moment as we sit in front of friends and family celebrating this huge milestone in our lives.”

Honor speaker Sloan McCrea focused on gratitude, thanking the teachers, coaches, and staff who influenced her life over her past 13 years. “Without these educators, none of us would be here today, and I am so grateful for every teacher that I’ve been lucky enough to interact with.”

McCrea also recounted the many memories she had experienced in Joe Popp Stadium as she and her peers gathered one last time today for their graduation. “Today is a bittersweet day. Today we leave our home at Mooresville High School and step into the unknown.”

She also thanked her classmates for their part in her journey. “Today may be the last time some of us see each other, and I want to thank each of you for building a wonderful community that I am grateful to be a part of. There are so many incredible members of this class, and you guys have been the best classmates, teammates, and friends to grow up with.”

As they diverge on their various life paths, McCrea advised her classmates to remember that “life is not a linear process. There are unconventional paths forward that are always out there for those who seek them.”

“Seek out the unconventional, have faith in yourself, and remember your Blue Devil roots.”

After presentation of the diplomas, the high-spirited seniors tossed their caps into the air as Principal Samone Graham declared the Class of 2023 official graduates.

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