The Ware County High School Class of 2025, 353 strong, took the first step toward their future Saturday, May 24 with a commencement ceremony in Memorial Stadium.
Under bright sunny skies with a slight breeze easing the temperature, the crowd spilled out of the stadium’s main grandstand to honor students receiving diplomas for their academic success.
As freshmen in 2021, they entered high school still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. They weren’t finished dealing with nature when that global affliction ended.
As seniors, their educational routine was interrupted first by a visit from Hurricane Helene in the fall, then a memorable snowstorm in the homestretch toward graduation.
The graduates, 124 of whom held honor status, were led academically by Valedictorian Olivia Dawn Sanders and Salutatorian Chanci Ann Yvonne Batten.
Both top honorees addressed their fellow graduates and the audience, thanking family, teachers and others who impacted their educational years.
Joy Lyn, among the honor graduates, welcomed those gathered. After the WCHS Junior ROTC presented the colors, honor graduate Christina Davis recognized members of the class who will enter the Armed Services after graduation, and offered the Pledge of Allegiance before members of the school’s band played the National Anthem.
Honor graduate Ramsey Rouse offered a memoriam to the late classmates, Domorrion Sharkied Bethea and Mattie Elizabeth Goble.
Barry Deas, Ware County Board of Education Chairman, also began his address to the graduates on behalf of the board with a memoriam for former board chairman Denton Dial, who died in December. Dial served Ware County as a teacher, administrator and board member for more than 40 years.
Deas then pointed to those natural disasters the “Kindergarten Class of 2012” overcame to reach Saturday.
“Storms of life strike without warning,” he told the graduates, adding as they go forward “work hard, dream big, and never give up.”
Batten and Sanders each thanked family, teachers, friends and classmates for helping all the graduates reach the milestone day.
“It wasn’t long ago that graduation felt like a distant dream,” Batten said. “ For some of you, this is the day you’ve been waiting for; for others, this is a bittersweet goodbye. But no matter how you feel in this moment, I want to congratulate you.
“Be proud of yourself — not just of where you’re headed, but of everything it took to get here.”
She then closed with a some advice for the class.
“Never lose your passion for life. Face life head-on with that same excitement you had on your very first day of school,” she said. “As tough as our parents make it sound, don’t let the ‘real’ world change you. Stay bright, stay hopeful, and keep that fire inside you burning strong.”
Sanders pointed to the years of learning that have prepared the graduates for their next steps in life.
“Four years ago, we walked into this school not exactly knowing who we were or where we were headed,” she said. “And today, while we may not be leaving with all of the answers, we do have the lessons, friendships, and memories that will shape us for years to come.”
The top graduate called on some family advice to close her address.
“I want to share with the class a piece of advice my grandpa always gave us when we were heading out the door. He would say: ‘Remember who you are, and act like you're somebody,’” Sanders offered. “We are strong. ... We are loved. ... We are prepared. ... Now let’s go into the world and be somebody.
“Let’s be kind and support others. Let’s be charitable and stand up for what’s right. Let’s use what we’ve learned to make a difference in this world. Let’s remember who we are and act like we're somebody.”
WCHS Principal Dr. Buford Kellogg then presented the class, and along with Superintendent Dr. Lynn Barber and Deas, presented diplomas to the graduates on the stage set up on the stadium’s field.
