By Taylor Boyd
More than 180 seniors in Patrick County High School’s Class of 2021 took their place in the annals of history during their commencement Friday, but not before they were told to ‘shine bright like a diamond.’
“While our journey may not be exactly like we pictured, it is unique to the story that helped us develop into the people we are today,” Valedictorian Lauren Largen said
The challenges and pressures that have shaped the class over the past five years made Largen think about the creation of diamonds, one of the world’s strongest and most valuable gemstones.
“We are always quick to admire a diamond’s beauty and worth, but there is a reason why we often say the phrase ‘diamonds in the rough.’ In order for carbon to transform into a bright, shining diamond, it must endure an immense amount of pressure and heat from 100 miles deep within the earth,” Largen said.
The process, she added, could be compared to some of the tribulations the Class of 2021 endured. “Whether it was getting booed by the entire school during our first assembly, walking to the practice field to run the dreaded mile, or taking a test you know you’re probably going to fail, we have all felt pressure at one point or another. However, we gritted our teeth, studied a bit harder than we may have liked, and pressed on to get to where we are sitting today,” she said.
“Of course, none of us could have been prepared for the largest challenge of all. A challenge no school student before us has ever faced. When a diamond undergoes the most intense, brutal part of its formation, its carbon cells begin to produce a solid molecular bond that cannot be broken,” she said.
She said the Class of 2021 has been told countless times that their class is special or unique for navigating a pandemic during one of the most pivotal times of their lives.
“Yet we have lost many memorable moments of our high school career. What we have gained however, is an unbreakable bond as a class, and an empathy and compassion that could only come from facing defeat together,” she said, adding that by facing these challenges together, the class is like carbon bonds in a diamond.
The act of diamonds rising to the surface is a rocky and abrupt process. They are thrust into the unknown with no option of turning back, Largen said.
“As we break through the surface into the next phase of life and become who we are meant to be, it’s going to be a little scary. Even though we might not feel ready, it’s our turn to show our strength as a class to the world,” Largen said.
“Now that we are stronger and a bit wiser, we can take our unique challenges and experiences, qualities and strengths and apply them to our next phase of life. Remember that we each have or own bright and shining light and it’s time to reflect it into the world, wherever each path may take us,” Largen said.
“I wish nothing but the best to each and every one of you. I find it only fitting to leave you with the wise words of singer-songwriter Rihanna Largen said. “Class of 2021: ‘shine bright like a diamond.’”
Salutatorian Fiona Rorrer said, “A lot of hard work and struggle went into this year and just I want to thank every single person that kept pushing my class for our schooling, our work, and even our graduation. Without you all we would not even be here.”
Noting that she and a lot of her classmates were nervous about the future, “this has been our lives for the last 15 years and we can overcome and adapt. We did it when we started 8th grade here at this high school and we did it last year with the pandemic. We just have to do it one more time. Courage is what we need to leave this nest and I hope you all enjoy the flight,” she said.
As the ceremony got underway, Schools Superintendent Dean Gilbert said, “Now you are entering a new phase of life. You have my admiration for completing your public- school experience under such extreme conditions” as the pandemic.
After congratulating the class for its dedication and perseverance, Gilbert added experiences in the school division prepared the class for success in future endeavors.
“As I’ve often said to my own two sons, don’t forget who you are and where you started, and lean on those experiences for wisdom,” he said.
Brandon Simmons, chairman of the Patrick County School Board, also noted the many obstacles that forced class members to adapt.
“For at least 13 years, you have had to work towards this moment, and each of those years you became more eager for this night to come. As if it wasn’t hard enough, the last year-and-a-half has had to be the toughest. With the help of God, your parents, your grandparents, teachers, and countless others, you have pushed forward and accomplished your goal. Now, the real work begins. You must choose your next steps in life,” Simmons said.
“Some may choose to go straight into the workforce, some college, and some may choose both. Whatever you choose, if you work hard and give it your all, and never give up despite what life throws at you, you will truly succeed.”
Trey Cox, principal, reminded those in attendance that one of the class members was missing.
“We lost one of our own. This young man will be well remembered for the joy he brought, especially to music,” Cox said.
Band Director Joseph Whitt said every club and organization functions like a chain held together by a sequence of individual links. While the links have individual characteristics, each still is vital to the overall unit.
“On June 24, 2020 the pride of Patrick County and the Patrick County High School Class of 2021 lost one of those links in a tragic accident,” Whitt said of Darren Leland Michaud, who was “a very dynamic person, and as such will be remembered in a variety of ways by those who knew him.”
Some will remember him for this sense of humor, others for his strong will, and a lack of fear when it came to him telling you what he really thought about somebody, Whitt said.
“He had an eclectic collection of interests. He enjoyed auto-mechanics, working construction alongside his father, installing flooring, and most of all, he loved to play the trombone. As a trombone player myself, I affectionately called Darren the ‘Iron Lung,’ because like his sister before him, even with 70 other musicians on the field, you could always hear Darren.”
Whitt said he will remember Darren Michaud as one of the most dedicated band members he’s ever had in class.
“He was always willing to go the extra mile for the band program. In fact, prior to his junior year, he was unable to attend band camp, but volunteered to come to the school and march by himself to learn the entire half-time show in only two hours. A task that normally takes five fifteen-hour days to complete,” Whitt said.
Michaud also was “one of the most eager students to receive new sheet music, and was one of the first to have it learned, memorized, and ready to perform,” Whitt said. “I had not yet announced band leadership prior to his passing, but for the aforementioned reasons, I posthumously named Darren band caption for the 2020-2021 school year.
“There are times when Darren and I butted heads like a couple of old stubborn bulls, but at the end of the day he knew I was here for him and he was always here for the band. In fact, some referred to him as my mini-me,” Whitt said. “I taught Darren about music, the trombone, and personal responsibility, and how to deal with frustration. But Darren taught me just how important the job we teachers do every day really is, and that our jobs go far beyond just teaching a school subject.”
Whitt said the band will be dedicating the entire 2021 competition season to Michaud’s memory.
To the remainder of the class, Cox said “these 184 students have accomplished some outstanding academic achievements while here at Patrick County High School, and their future looks very bright.”
He added that 85 students received an advanced diploma, 95 students received a standard diploma, two students were awarded an applied studies diploma, and one student received an honorary diploma. Four students were also awarded their associates degree from Patrick Henry Community College.
Cox noted that 45 diplomas “will get a Governor’s seal, 52 a Civics seal, 35 an Early College Scholars seal, 55 will get a Board of Education seal, 80 will get the Math and Technology Seal, and 11 will receive the Commonwealth Scholars seal.”
He said 167 students will get their CTE (Career and Technology) seal on their diploma, and 145 will receive their CTE Completer Gold Medallion.
“Eighty-six seniors plan to attend a 2-year college; 47 of those plan to transfer to a four-year university. Thirty-six seniors plan to attend a four-year college,” he said. “Two seniors plan to go to a trade and technical school. Three seniors plan to join the military, and 57 of our seniors plan to go straight into the workforce.”
