NEELYVILLE — Once a tiger, always a tiger, graduates were told Saturday as Neelyville High School celebrated the successes of the Class of 2022.
Take the lessons learned and go forward to find the success and happiness that is waiting, Principal Justin Dobbins encouraged, telling students “you are awesome.”
“You see, everyone is awesome. You simply have to find where your awesome is at. In order to find that awesome, you first have to believe you’ll get there,” he told students and families gathered for commencement at Neelyville High School. “Next, when you go out to blaze your path to find that awesome, I want you to find your peace.”
The world can be very chaotic, full of controversy and daily business, Dobbins said, so finding something that gives a feeling of peace is all the more important.
Retiring superintendent Debra Parish congratulated the Class of 2022 on their accomplishments and successes.
“Today concludes a significant and wonderful time in your life,” Parish said. “An equally significant and wonderful time in your life is about to begin. ... You are prepared and ready to move forward beyond Neelyville High School. You are encouraged to use the skills and knowledge you have acquired here...
“Strive for success, happiness, moral living and having a positive impact on humanity and our physical world.”
Valedictorian Lexus Hagood described the past years together in the Neelyville district as a roller coaster that started when they were buckled in tight at Hillview.
“It’s time to unbuckle our seatbelts, hold some independence of our own, and find our next ride to get on,” the 17-year-old said. “As we end our journey as no longer seniors, but graduates, I can sit here and say that while I have learned many important life lessons throughout this ride, three stick out the most.”
The first was the lesson to leave no what-ifs, to do everything possible to live a happy life, she said.
The second is to be kind.
“In this day and age, it is harder and harder to find kindness every which way you turn. If I can give you any more advice, be the change of kindness that this world needs,” Hagood said.
Lastly, she told her classmates to go out and find their success.
“This one has been especially hard for me to learn...,” Hagood said. “However, what I have learned in the past year is that my success doesn’t lie within my athletics or my academics, but it lies with Jesus Christ. My success lies in being a role model for these other elementary and junior high kids who look up to me.”
Salutatorian Hunter Robinson echoed the advice of Walt Disney, who said, “All our dreams can come true — if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Whether students move forward to college, the military or the workforce, they should take the next step with the best they have to offer, he said.
“Our attitude we put forth will be the satisfaction we get from it. Most of us are looking into the future with great anticipation and even a little nervousness,” Robinson said. “My advice for the graduating class is to not give up and always follow your dreams, whatever they may be.”