BY KARISSA MILLER

As more than 190 members of the Statesville High School Class of 2024 walked out in their caps and gowns on Saturday morning, a stadium full of proud family members and friends stood and waited for the moment they could spot their graduate in the sea of blue.

Honor speaker Marianna Galarza-Lozada shared with her fellow graduates that her parents’ experience as Colombian immigrants inspired her to dream and achieve.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, who came to this country 24 years ago with nothing but a dream for a better future,” she said. “Their determination and sacrifices gave my siblings and I the opportunities they could only have imagined for themselves.”

Galarza-Lozada said she’s proud to honor and represent their legacy.

“Although my mother cannot be here today to see her little girl graduate — this achievement is as much hers as it is mine. This is for you mom, I love you,” she said in both English and Spanish.

She also told the students to remember that it’s their character that truly counts. “Our empathy, kindness and community contributions define us,” she added.

Salutatorian Aaliyah Alexis challenged her classmates to embrace their strengths as they navigate life’s twists and turns in their next chapter.

“Hold fast to your convictions and trust in your abilities. Do not let the opinions of others drown out your inner voice,” she said. “Just remember that some of the world’s greatest achievements often come from those who dared to believe in themselves, even when no one else did.”

Principal Chad Parker also congratulated the graduates for earning more than $4 million in scholarship opportunities.

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