May 23, 2022
NMCC seniors graduate with smiles and tears
NEW MADRID, Mo. - For the members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022, it was a graduation with “Pomp and Circumstance,” with lots of smiles and a few tears. Before presenting the seniors with their diplomas, NMCC high school principal Justin Poley noted graduation marks the conclusion of 13 years of academic effort by the students...
By Jill Bock/Standard Democrat
NEW MADRID, Mo. - For the members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022, it was a graduation with “Pomp and Circumstance,” with lots of smiles and a few tears.
Before presenting the seniors with their diplomas, NMCC high school principal Justin Poley noted graduation marks the conclusion of 13 years of academic effort by the students.
“For these young men and women it signals a new beginning,” Poley said. Then addressing the graduates he added, “but remember, you will forever be an Eagle.”
It was just one of several messages directed at the graduating class throughout the ceremony.
After entering the high school gymnasium filled with teachers, administrators, family and friends to the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the high school band, the graduates and their guests were welcomed by Delaney Cooksey, class president. The high school’s Singing Eagles” performed The National Anthem and Ethan Moore, class treasurer, offered an invocation.
Poley introduced members of the school board and school administrators. Also he introduced the class’ two top students, who each made a brief speech.
This year’s salutatorian Olivia Nelson began by thanking her teachers and others who pushed her and took her out of her comfort zone. She also offered her thanks to her family and friends including her parents “who never let me skip school. They are the greatest parents in the world.”
Describing her classmates as the best, Nelson noted they had already met challenges and succeeded. She went on to challenge them to continue to strive to make every day the best day of their lives.
Class valedictorian Cherikee Morgan admitted this was the first time she had ever listened to the speeches given at graduation, drawing laughter from her classmates.
After thanking the many people who had been a part of her school career, Morgan also noted the challenges the class faced during their years in high school. There will be more challenges ahead, she added.
After a performance of “Homeward Bound” by the Singing Eagles, Nelson, who is the Class of 2022 vice president, introduced Jared Shackleford, NMCC Spanish teacher. Shackleford was chosen by the class to speak at the ceremony.
Shackleford offered seven pieces of life advice to the graduates.
First on his list was for the graduates to do what they love and gives them fulfillment. He explained he loved his job as a teacher and credited his students, saying, “you get me going, you give me fulfillment.”
Shackleford called on the students to be honest, trustworthy and kind. He urged them to continue learning new things and to always be the best version of themselves.
When they faced difficulties, he said the students should look at them as opportunities.
“Learn to embrace and grow from the trials of life,” he added. “It is what you do with those hardships and difficulties, those pressures of life that determine whether you become dust or a diamond.”
His final piece of advice was that each student should realize they control the course their life will take. He urged them to look at life as a book.
“What is the next chapter going to say. What is the next page going to say,” he said. “ Don’t let your book be full of empty pages, don’t let it be full of regret or anger. Let your book be a book full of love, of compassion, of achievements, of mistakes and failures that turn into triumphs and lessons learned. A book filled with kindness and adventures.”
Shackleford then offered his thanks to the students.
“Thank you for letting me be in your book. You have changed me. You have taught me. You have shaped me and I hope that I have been able to do the same for some of you,” he said bringing applause from the seniors.
Following the presentation of a diploma and a rose to each member of the graduating class, Joycelynne Jackson, class secretary, gave the benediction.
The evening ended with a celebratory hat toss by the graduates.
Advertisement
Advertisement