BY DUSTIN NIX JR.
Statesville High School held its 131st Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday morning.
Attired in blue caps and gowns, 180 seniors marched onto the football field to celebrate this milestone. Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James attended the ceremony.
Following the presentation of the Colors by the SHS Army JROTC and the singing of the National Anthem, Senior Class President Jamarion Brown welcomed everyone to the ceremony.
Principal Stephen Parker recognized the Class of 2023 for various achievements, including:
♦ Honors Graduates (14 students);
♦ NC Scholars (20 students);
♦ National Technical Honors Society (21 students);
♦ Beta Club (7 students);
♦ Crosby Scholars (15 students); and
♦ Renaissance (117 students)
Honors Speaker Abigail Hager told her classmates to take pride in their accomplishments. Quoting Michael Josephson, a former law professor and attorney, she said: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.”
Hager also imparted some advice of her own.
“Always live your life to the fullest,” she said. “It is my hope for all of you to live in the moment and continue to create and capture memories as you move on from SHS -– take that risk, step out of your comfort zone, be open minded, work diligently towards your goals, learn from your mistakes, appreciate all that surrounds you, and, lastly, make choices you will be proud of as you move into your future.”
Honors Speaker Halee Thomas shared a quote from her grandfather: “Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pockets.”
Thomas said the Class of 2023 has exemplified that statement.
“We stepped into high school as individuals seeking to do well, to find our friends, to find our spirit, and to find our identity … Four years ago, we transitioned from the slow climb that we had known from kindergarten to eighth grade, and we started to climb the heightened ladder of senior high.”
Thomas reminded the students of the resilience they have demonstrated over the past four years.
“Some decided to hang on tighter, some decided to get off the ladder for a bit, and some had a rug taken out from under their feet, and others got stronger as the ladder got more difficult,” she said.
Lastly, Thomas reminded the students that they had reached the top of the ladder at Statesville High. Now they will embark on the next climb.
“Graduation is not an end goal in itself. It is, instead, part of the larger journey in life … continue to hold onto the memories you have created at Statesville High School … The question is: will you continue to climb the ladder as a true Greyhound would?”
Statesville High School’s Blue & Grey performed “Be the Change” by Laura Farnell. Reminding graduates to “Be the change you want to see in the world” and to go let their “light shine.”
As the graduation ended, Jamarion Brown presented the Senior Mantle to Junior Class President Kemiyah Cowan. After the acceptance of the mantle, friends and family walked onto the field to congratulate and hug their graduates.
The Class of 2023 has earned more than $2 million in college scholarships. About 64 percent of the grads plan to attend a two- or four-year college, 33 percent plan to enter the workforce and 3 percent intend to join the military.
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