74 graduate PHS

By Staff, 05/14/18 12:28 PM

PRESCOTT – Graduation is a special time in a young person’s life as it represents them taking their next step toward adulthood.

A total of 74 seniors entered the Prescott Sports Arena Friday night, with 74 graduates leaving. The honor students talked about change. There was a different atmosphere in the gym as, for the first time, those attending the commencement exercises were in air conditioned comfort – unlike years past when it was sweltering when graduation was held there.

Hank Crain talked about how the students have undergone a lot of changes in their 13 years in the Prescott School District, joking some had grown, while others hadn’t. However, he said they will all be changing, hopefully for the better as the lessons they’ve learned will allow them to impact others. Change, he said, is constant. “Look at the way we’ve changed since kindergarten.”

Marybeth McRoy was next, saying the class has persevered to make it to this point. When they began, she said, everything was big and horrifying, but they made friends and changed through it all. “This is a new experience we’ll have to get used to. We had many opportunities in high school, with the clubs we joined and classed we took. Now, we go to our next chapter and will need perseverance.”

Anna Byers talked about the relationships built through the years, with graduation being a special time in their lives, as well as the lives of their families and friends. “They showed us how to make these relationships and interact with others, to be yourself and the teachers and staff did their jobs in preparing you be the person you are now. The future is full of amazing things. Continue building relationships.”

Jake Milam talked about working for 13 years to get a high school diploma, and how the class has now made it. Next will be a new chapter in their lives and they shouldn’t limit themselves on any level, but look at other options or they’d miss a great opportunity.

Kevin White suggested the graduates embrace life and things will eventually change for the best. He said some would be overwhelmed after graduation but urged the Class of ’18 not to forget where it came from and to ask whether the world will change them or they will change the world.

Cade Haynie was the final speaker. He said the past four years were filled with wonderful changes in their lives, but change can’t be stopped. He told the class not to be overwhelmed or let others determine who they are, though it would be easy to get lost in the world. “We decide what we are and what we do,” he said, “nobody else does. We have a choice and should take ownership of our lives.”