JCHS Has Graduation Ceremony
Nearly 150 graduates were awarded diplomas Saturday at Jasper County High School by Superintendent Mike Newton.
Graduation ceremonies were moved inside because of the threat of rain, and most of the class participated in the graduation program.
Madison Rae gave the salutatory address, reminiscing about the days gone by. She commented on the academic excellence of the class. ”Everyone in our grade would meet their AR goals and attended the all day AR parties four times a year. We were the class everyone loved to have.”
She commented, “We may be excited to graduate now, but we were even more excited to leave the middle school years behind us.”
She spoke of the classmate they lost, Garrett Barnett, in a tragic dirt bike accident. “His death, while tragic, unified our class. We all came together to mourn and help each other through this difficult time.”
She talked about the class’s arrival in high school. “I remember the joy the teachers had as they awaited our arrival. We were supposed to be the school’s ‘saving grace,’ the class that would restore their faith in humanity…I am certain we did leave a positive mark….We became the class who exceeded all expectations with our numerous honor graduates….We became the class that will always be remembered for the best reasons.”
She concluded her remarks, saying “Class of 2018, thank you for the memories we will never forget.”
Alina Jablonski gave the valedictory address, thanking everyone for attending, and saluting the teachers, said “We are a relatively smart group of kids if I do say so myself, but we could not have done this without you.”
She said she was proud to represent the school at the governor’s mansion last weekend for a valedictorian brunch.
She said, “New challenges may seem insurmountable, but I can assure you that in this moment, in the words of Winnie the Pooh, that ‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
She talked about joining the class of 2018 in her freshman year, and how she felt accepted. She said, “People started coming up to me, and they have continued to do so even in the past month, asking ‘How are you always so happy? All the time?”
“The answer is You. Today, yesterday, last month, two years and 10 days ago, seemingly every day, you have brought a smile to my face. You made me the person I am today. And I thank you so, so much for that.”
She then challenged the graduates to move forward. She also said to take the beautiful aspects of this town and this student body and share them with the world. She closed by saying, Class of 2018, It’s our time to shine.’
