By Taylor Boyd
The 165 graduates of the 56th Patrick County High School (PCHS) Commencement Exercise on Friday, May 22 were told that graduation was the final sentence in the prologue of their lives.
The words of wisdom were delivered to the Class of 2026 in the gymnasium where the ceremony was held due to inclement weather.
Student Government Association Vice President Callie Elizabeth Wood said, “When deciding what to say to you all tonight, I did what I’ve done so regrettably often – I froze. I sat unsure in front of the computer the night of the deadline like we’ve done thanks to JT completely paralyzed by this decision.”
Because she was afraid of choosing the wrong words, Wood said she found herself unable to choose any.
“But that’s when I realized we’ve all struggled with choice, indecision, and fears of regrets. We all face uncertainty, and some of us might be facing it right now,” she said.
Quoting Joyce Sullivan’s poem “Culpable,” Wood said, “No matter which road you take, it will be both glorious and unbearable. Every road is lonely. Every road, holy. The only error is not walking forth.”
Graduation, Wood said, feels both glorious and unbearable. “We will forth anyway,” she said.
Wood said Sullivan ended her poem by describing a friend offering her two options of directions: a trail towards tall pines or a turn towards a valley of poppies. When Sullivan asks what path to choose, her friend simply shrugs and says, “either way, it’s all heaven.”
“That feels like graduation. We’re all standing at the same intersection, but we will not take the same road. Some of us are moving away, and some of us are staying close. Some of us have had a plan for years, and some of us are still figuring things out.
“That uncertainty of what’s next can be paralyzing, but we find comfort in knowing that no matter which path we take, it can still be meaningful, it can still be beautiful, and above all, it can still be ours,” Wood said.
PCHS Principal Hope Perry said the graduates have accomplished outstanding academic achievements during their time at PCHS.
“Their future looks incredibly bright, and we could not be prouder of their hard work, their dedication, and success,” she said.
Perry said eight students received a letter and emblem for a 4.0 GPA for the first time and seven students received it for their second year. Five students received it for a third time, and 26 students received it for their fourth year.
While earning their high school diplomas, Perry said nine graduates also earned their associates degrees from Patrick & Henry Community College, and two earned graduates also earned their Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificates.
Perry noted two members of the Class of 2026 also plan to enter the U.S. military.
“I want to recognize these two remarkable members of this class whose courage, discipline, and willingness to serve leave me, and the entire staff, incredibly proud. These students have chosen a path of service by committing themselves to our nation’s military in a world that constantly asks, ‘What’s in it for me?’ They chose something bigger than themselves: responsibility, sacrifice, purpose, and service to others. That decision deserves recognition and respect. We are proud of them beyond words,” Perry said.
One of those students, Khristoper Huerta Dominguez, received the first ever Senior to Soldier Award from Staff Sergeant Lindsay Hundley.
The Class of 2026’s class colors were Cougar green and gold. The class flower is a lily and the class song is “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls. The class motto is “Things change and friends leave. And life doesn’t stop for nobody,” from the “Perks of being a Wallflower.”
