While many Heritage and E.C. Glass high school graduates said they were concerned about tripping on their way to get their diplomas Sunday, others danced across the stage to celebrate an end to their high school careers and the beginning of new adventures.
More than 530 students graduated from Lynchburg’s two public high schools with hundreds more family members and friends showing support in different ways. Lynchburg City Schools’ graduations mark the final ceremonies for Lynchburg- area high schools this year.
For some families, Sunday’s graduations were their final one as parents of students at the schools.
Zandra Ward, mother of Heritage graduate Kaysey Ward, said her daughter’s graduation was exciting but also upsetting because Kaysey was the last of three daughters to graduate from Heritage.
For Charlene Saunders, mother of E.C. Glass graduate Benjamin Saunders, Sunday marked the family’s 10th and final graduation from the school. Charlene Saunders said this year’s graduation was one of the rowdiest the family has attended.
Heritage went first on Sunday, with an 8:30 a.m. graduation for its more than 230 graduates in the school’s gym. Heritage’s three graduate speakers — Michaya McMillan, Grace Chun and Manan Shah — encouraged their fellow classmates with remarks on the theme of “Look up, look around, see what you can do” as members of the Class of 2018 move forward in their lives.
“My best advice — don’t go down fast and then slow up. You know it’s only right that I mention: Class of 2018, it’s time for us to grow up,” McMillan said.
She encouraged her fellow classmates to let their lights shine bright.
“Remember these past four years, the memories we made, and the legacy we laid. Look up, look ahead and look fiercely at your dream. You’re the only one that can bring it to life,” McMillan said.
Chun, class valedictorian, reflected on the diversity of the school and how the class came together.
“Together we roamed these halls and bloomed where we were planted. Out of many hardships, challenges and victories we were always one,” Chun said, mentioning the accomplishments of the class, including football championships, theater competitions and academic success.
“We achieved so much because we knew how to fit together like irreplaceable pieces of a puzzle.”
Chun urged her peers to “look around,” remember they are an integral part of the environment around them and know they can make a difference through small acts of kindness.
As Shah told his classmates to see what they have done over the past four years, he also advocated for the graduates to see what they can do to help others.
“If every single one of us makes it our mission to love and empower each other, to motivate and inspire each other, to support and believe in each other, then can we make this world a better place, then can we unite as one people,” Shah said.
With each student going their own way whether it’s to college, the workforce or the military, Shah reminded them of the one aspect that holds true for each: “We are Pioneers.”
At E.C. Glass, where graduation kicked off at 3 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, the speeches were more personal with each graduate sharing a piece of their own stories. Glass Principal Jeffrey Garrett said there were 305 graduates receiving diplomas Sunday.
Graduate Jacquelyn Vari shared how her mother’s ongoing struggle with Lyme disease has made her mature quicker and realize “our lives are something that we create.”
“Everything is what you make of it, and anything that gets in the way of your typical life is there to teach you a lesson, whether for good or for bad,” Vari said.
A story about mowing the lawn was the focus of graduate Kyle Mendez’ speech as he spoke about what it takes to be “a true adult.” He said he didn’t realize the answer until a few weeks ago when he saw people mowing their lawns and smiling. Mendez then went back home and mowed his own lawn without compensation.
“It was at that moment that I realized what it takes to be a true adult is you have to do what’s necessary despite the awards,” Mendez said.
Mendez proceeded to encourage his classmates and everyone in the audience to go home and mow their grass.
Graduate Chloe Johnson, a student who transferred to E.C. Glass her junior year, explained her love for the art of tattoos and how they taught her “more about the meaning of life than any AP class.” Johnson shared how her friend used a daffodil tattoo to cover a scar from a suicide attempt because daffodils symbolize new beginnings.
“This was a new beginning for me. The first of many tattoos that I have been blessed with the opportunity to create and give,” she said.
She urged her classmates to find their niches and create something to give to the world.
Liz Ramos covers K-12 education for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5532.