A packed Allen County-Scottsville High School gymnasium witnessed approximately 170 seniors receive their diplomas during Allen County-Scottsville High School’s 40th commencement Friday night.
AC-SH Principal Shane Davis and Allen County Schools superintendent Randall Jackson presented diplomas to the graduating seniors. The ceremonies also included the announcement of the Class of 2014 valedictorian and co-salutatorians.
“Titus Carter, Brooklyn Meador, and Jared Walden have established themselves as the top scholars of the senior class,” Davis explained. “Each student has an overall GPA (grade point average) of 4.323 under the weighted scale. Each has completed 10 AP (Advanced Placement) courses during their careers at ACSHS.
Per Allen County-Scottsville High School Site-Based Decision Making Council policy, when a tie for class valedictorian exists based on GPA, the class valedictorian is determined by the highest numerical average in common AP classes. As a result of the tie-breaking policy, Walden---the son of James and Debra Walden---was selected as valedictorian. Carter and Meador shared co-salutatorian honors.
In his valedictorian address, Walden challenged his classmates to choose to be happy by seeking God’s plan for their lives.
“Whether we know it or not, we have a common goal,” Walden remarked. “We have always had this common goal since we were children. I don’t mean a diploma but that may be part of it. We have all wanted to live a happy life. I don’t purpose to stand here and tell you what to do to be happy but I ask you to think--what does a happy life look like? How will you find happiness? I submit to you that happiness will be found in the relationships and experiences you choose. Happiness is a choice you make. Do what you love. Do what you are called to do not just what you have to do to survive. God has a great and glorious plan for you. Find it and follow it. Do what you know to be right, don’t try and please others or take the easy way and or do something stupid in a moment of rebellion. Be you. Do your thing. In Christ, your thing will be true, and noble and right and excellent.”
Co-salutatorian Brooklyn Meador---the daughter of Clint and Annette Meador---reminded her classmates that graduation is not the end of a journey but a step along the way in making dreams become reality.
“In the days leading up to this event, I have heard a lot or you utter the phase, we made it,” Meador said. “But, we did not make it. Sure, we got through four of the most stressful years of our teenage lives but we did not make it. This is not the pinnacle of our lives.
Too many people peak in high school and I do not want us to have that mentality and believe that this is the ultimate moment of our lives. If we do, the rest of our lives will be boring and downhill. We must be proactive and chase after our dreams. We have to go out and make our dreams a reality and I have faith this class will do just that.”
Co-salutatorian Titus Carter---the son of Joe and Cynthia Carter---said graduation night was a time celebration and new beginnings.
“Tonight is a night of celebration,” Carter noted. “Tonight is the night after wards we are thrown into the world. Tonight is the night we have all been waiting for. Be proud that you are here. Be honored that you are about to accept what you have worked 13 years of your life for. Tonight is the night we step off into our own futures. Up until this point, we have been guided in what we do but after tonight it is up to you to decide how you set sail. After tonight, you are the decision-makers of your own destiny.”
Bro. Tim Saylors---the father of graduate Kylie Saylors---shared a message from the heart in which he reminded the graduates to seek advice from others and stay close to their families in the years to come.
“I would just ask you to take time to ask someone that’s a little further down the road, a little further down the trail than you, ask them for their advice,” Saylors said. “No doubt you are wonting to get out from under momma’s coat tail or out of reach of daddy’s hands, but I would encourage you to stay within reach. Don’t just call your momma on Mother’s Day or hug your father on Father’s Day. Let them know how much you love them. Take the time while you have it.”
The night concluded with many of the Class of 2014 returning to the high school at midnight for the traditional Up All Night after graduation lock-in sponsored by senior parents.
(The 2014 graduation program can be view on NCTC's Channel 96 at 12:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day during the moth of June. DVD's are available for purchase. Contact North Central for more information)