CANEY BAY — Family, friends and neighbors gathered Friday night as the Brantley County High School Class of 2025 received their long-awaited high school diploma.
The graduating class consisted of 183 members and 53 honor graduates. The honor graduates were recognized Monday, May 19 during Honor’s Night.
JROTC members stood with arms outstretched, holding their polished swords together to serve as an arch for seniors to take the final steps before becoming BCHS alums.
Valedictorian Margaret Clare Devine and Salutatorian Greyson Cole Winder led the march down the track in front of the home stands and onto the Heron Stadium turf.
Dr. Walker Todd, Brantley High School principal, presented the Dewitt Moody Scholarship to Winder.
Devine’s valedictorian speech centered around “changes and new beginnings as we all go our separate ways and pursue our dreams” sharing advice given by her mother.
“Her advice has greatly helped me in deciding what I should do with my life,” said Devine. “It was after our 8th-grade honors night. She told me she did not care what I chose to be or do as long as I followed three simple rules.
“Whatever you do in the future, make sure you have a job that pays the bills and you don’t have to borrow things or ask for favors if you can help it. If you have to ask for help make sure you pay it back.
“Don’t become a burden on someone else. Instead, you should strive to be independent so that others can rely on you for support instead.
“Secondly, make sure any and all work that you do is honest work. Don’t cheat someone else to fill your pockets and don’t go against the law to do it either. Make your living in an honest way that will help not just yourself, but also the people and community around you.
“Lastly, do what will make you happy. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Always put your happiness first.”
Devine started thinking about her mom’s advice and about what she wanted to do with her life. It was then she decided to start making more decisions for myself and take less influence from everyone around her.
“I tried a lot of new things and made friends with a lot of different people as I made different changes and decisions that would lead me to a future of my choosing,” said Devine. “Hopefully my moms advice will inspire you to embrace and seek out the changes you need that will lead you to a future where you are independent, honest and happy.”
Valedictorian Margaret Devine delivers her speech to classmates. SPEICIAL PHOTO
Winder’s message was from a phrase his late grandfather spoke to him and eventually became an inspiration. He first provided the backstory.
“He had this little jingle- like phrase he always said to me when I greeted him,” Winder said. “He put some cadence into it every time. It went ‘Greyson Greyson, you’re my man, Greyson Greyson, you know you can.’
“I never really put too much thought into the phrase itself, but now that I have taken the time to reflect on what he said, I realize that very phrase is the backbone of my mentality for how I handle the challenging situations in my life.
“Looking back at problems and obstacles I have stressed over, I noticed I got through them all not because I was lucky or asked for a surplus amount of help beforehand, but because I knew I could get through it. By being hopeful and optimistic like my papa, thinking outside the box, and looking at my problems patiently, I’ve gotten through each issue given to me, no matter how hard or dire it looked to be, and that’s what I want you guys to be able to achieve.” Winder told his classmates challenges are inevitable and they don’t get to choose them, but rather how they respond to them. “No matter what happens, if it feels sad or frustrating, or if it stresses you out to the point of giving up,” said Winder, “I encourage you to look on the bright side of things. Even if the brightness looks to be waning, know that you can do it. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get it right away. Failure doesn’t pose a threat in the face of determination.” Class President Braiden Gilbert addressed the class and the benediction was offered by Ansley Turner.
At the end of the evening, after students had walked across the stage to receive their prized diplomas, the class together tossed their hats in the air.
