The 184 graduates of the 54th Patrick County High School (PCHS) Commencement Exercise on Friday, May 17, were told graduation was “not the end, but instead a beginning.”
The words of wisdom were from Student Government Association Vice President Kali Raven Craig.
When she was writing her speech, Craig said her eyes fell on her closet and the items inside, like her cap and gown, and yearbooks.
“These items may seem insignificant to others, but to me, they’re a reminder of the last five years, the ups, downs, and everything in between,” Craig said of the items that serve as reminders of how far she and the entire class have come, especially since the journey wasn’t easy.
“Yet we still made it. Now that we finally made it, and we’re living the day we dreamed of, it can feel easier being discouraged and upset that this is the end. However, this is simply the end of the short chapter of our lives,” she said. “We have bright futures ahead of us.”
While the class bids farewell to high school, Craig said it is saying hello to everything that has yet to come.
“We’ll make new friends, create more memories, and continue to grow. We have our whole lives ahead of us, and I know the future is scary. I know we’re all anxious about what’s to come, but I want you all to remember that you can face the challenges the future might hold,” she said.
In her speech, Student Government Association President Elizabeth Joselyn Rose gave a word for each letter spelling out “Senior Class 2024.”
“To start off with S, I’m going to try to make this speech Short as sweet as possible because I’m just as ready to graduate as the rest of you all,” she said.
For E, Rose encouraged the class to do things that Excite them as life is too short to be people pleasers and miss out on opportunities.
“N, this one’s simple, this is Nice. I know this sounds really elementary and childish, but it still applies now and in the future. Be nice to your peers in the future as you don’t know what they’re going through. I – It is what it is. Don’t dwell on what is not meant for you,” she said.
For O, Rose told her fellow graduates to not miss out on Opportunities.
“R- Rigged. Sometimes to get what you want in life, you got to get your mom to rig it,” she said as the audience chuckled.
Rose said C is for Connections. The best way for some to achieve their goals is to make connections along the way.
“Don’t be” scared to make connections. “Because eight times out of 10 those connections will help you out a lot in life. L- Loving like Lauren. Lauren (Worley) is our miracle classmate and I know that her heart for God, her family, and her friends are the reason” we have her here. “I encourage you all to love like she does and to learn from her faith in God,” she said.
A is for Adjustment. When life comes in unexpected ways, we must learn to adjust, Rose said, and the SS at the end of the class stands for Say what you think and Skip.
“I couldn’t think of another s, so we’re going to skip this one,” she said.
For 2, Rose wanted her fellow graduates to think of two people at the ceremony who supported them to get where they are now.
“0 – going forward in life, I hope you have zero regrets and zero chances not taken. 2- I want you all to write down two things you’ve never done and do them within the next two years. Set your goals and reach them, never give in or give up,” she said.
Lastly, for 4- Rose said all her accomplishments, diploma, and everything she’s learned from her childhood to graduation are for her father, Tom Rose.
“I dedicate everything that I’ve done to him because I know how extremely proud of me he would be,” she said.
Noting that time has flown by, and in the blink of an eye, the senior class is receiving its high school diplomas, Senior Class President Levi Austin Vipperman said “This would not be possible without the help of our teachers, staff, families, friends…who supported us in high school to be the best we could be. We are indescribably grateful for everything.”
Vipperman also thanked “the Good Lord above” for the blessing he gave the class, including Worley’s recovery.
“Throughout our journey, we have had many ups and downs, but through those ups and downs, we have made it through. Most of us have all said, ‘I cannot wait to get out of here,’ but those memories we have made with our friends and family during our high school life” are worth a lot, he said.
Senior Miller Logan Allen performed the song “Praise” by Elevation Worship, a contemporary worship music group.
Hope Perry, PCHS Principal, said the 184 graduates accomplished outstanding achievements during their tenure at the school. “Their futures look incredibly bright, and we could not be prouder of their hard work, dedication, and success.”
Perry said 65 seniors received an Advanced Diploma, 107 received a Standard Diploma, and eight were awarded Applied Studies Diplomas.
“We have 43 of our seniors who will receive a Governor Seal on their diplomas, 53 will receive a Civics Seal, 37 will receive an Early College Scholar’s Seal, 48 will receive a Board of Education Seal, 29 will receive STEM Seals, and seven will receive a Commonwealth’s Scholar Seal,” she said.
Perry said 168 seniors received their Career and Technical Education (CTE) Completion seal on their diplomas while 149 received CTE Completer Gold Medallions.
Thirty-four members are Senior Beta Club members.
Perry said seven graduating seniors also received their associate degree from Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) and two graduates also earned their Welding Career Studies Certificates in addition to their high school diplomas.
“We have in our senior class 41 seniors who plan to attend a two-year college, 48 seniors planning to attend a four-year college and university, two seniors plan on attending a trade or technical school, and four seniors plan to join the military,” she said.
Forty-three seniors also plan on going straight into the workforce, Perry said and added that two seniors who graduated in December went straight into Army boot camp.
“They will graduate in a few weeks,” she said.
The Class of 2024’s class colors were dark green, gold, and black. The class flower is a tulip, the motto is “We are the people our parents warned us about,” and the class song is “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
