Graduation Is Held
Some 138 of Jasper County High School’s 157 graduates marched for the school’s graduation ceremony Friday evening.
Held at the brand new athletic complex at the school, each student received eight tickets for family members to sit together and socially distance from others.
Principal Buddy Cain called out each students’ name, and Superintendent Kenny Garland presented them with their diplomas.
Mari Jablonski gave the valedictory address, during which she encouraged her class members, and spoke about the exceptional qualities of the class members. She said, “Each of you is seated beside someone extraordinary; this is a good place, with good people. There is great power in that.”
She went on to tell a story about running track for the first time in middle school, and the encouragement she received from the team.
Furthermore, she said, “What matters is that this is a good place full of good people, the kind that see you, the kind that cheer. That changes a person. It changed me. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that right now, the world needs the kind of people sitting here.
“Maybe we, born in the shadow of 9/11 and graduating in the midst of a pandemic and a society struggling with social unrest, are the ones best suited to devise the new normal, one that stands ready for a bright, healthy, just future. After all, our society only works if we think not just about ourselves but about each other; I will tell you from experience: if anyone can do that, it’s this class.”
She thanked the teachers, parents, coaches, friends and extended families for their dedication and for seeing the promise in each of the students.
Class president Akiren Walker welcomed everyone. Emily Cavender, senior class secretary, led the pledge of allegiance, and Ben Lynch, senior vice-president of graduation offered the invocation.
Mr. Walker led in the turning of the tassel, and at the end of the ceremony, the crowd joined together in singing the school’s Alma Mater, before Rachel Dorsey, senior class vice president of awards, gave the benediction.
Torchbearers were Julia Aldridge and Gabrielle McCombie.
Salutatorian Sierra Nichols was unable to attend the ceremony.
Graduation advisors were Michael Cooper, Chris Savage and Amy Scroggs. Senior advisors are Patty Cole, Karen Dotson, Kirstin Lewis, Karen Martin and Matt Tumlin.
Administrators in addition to Buddy Cain are Alicia Moore and Jim Strength.
