The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
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(From the May 24, 2006 issue)
Members of Schley County High School’s Class of 2006 entered a new era of their lives this past Saturday as they received their diplomas during the annual graduation ceremony.
Class members Mario Haynes and Carey Dawn York spoke at the beginning of the program, giving the invocation and welcome message, respectively.
Superintendent William Johnson then congratulated the students and student Michael Clark II recited a poetry selection.
Salutatorian David Allen (Bud) Nash and Valedictorian Kristin Alanna Brock then gave speeches.
Nash noted that they had met a goal 18 years in the making and wondered where all the years went.
“So, here we are at our finish line and our starting line,” added Nash, then quoting William Shakespeare, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
He also quoted former President Abraham Lincoln, who said, “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first four hours sharpening the ax.”
Nash said they had spent their school years sharpening their minds and were now ready to tackle an entire forest of goals.
“As you step into your forest remember that a man who wakes up and finds himself a success hasn’t been asleep,” said Nash, before concluding, “Best wishes and best of luck, Class of 2006. I love you all.”
Valedictorian Kristin Brock noted that “if not for the dedication of our teachers, the encouragement of our family, and the support of each other, we could never have come this far.”
She, too, spoke of many memories that the Class of 2006 will share for the rest of their lives, including late night cramming for Friday’s tests, running into school as the tardy bell is ringing, hours of practice, winning state titles, the first homecoming and the last dance at prom.
Brock said they were at the crossroads of the rest of their lives and quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, saying, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
She encouraged her fellow graduates to be true to themselves, saying, “the courage that lies within us is strong enough to overcome any obstacle that may stand in our way.”
She closed by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, we will leave this place with a passion, a goal, and a determination. Let us run the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12 and 1. We will become all that we are capable of, live our dreams and most importantly, make a difference. Choose your path wisely and pursue it with all your heart. Class of 2006, we will walk on.”
Principal Larry Stubbs then presented the students as worthy of graduation and they received their diplomas from Superintendent William Johnson.
Lynn Jordan sang a solo, “The Prayer,” before the Alma Mater was sung. Eric Kincaid gave the closing meditation and the graduates exited to begin their adult lives.