NHS sends 35 into the world

By Staff, 05/14/21 10:30 AM

ROSSTON – A single empty chair with a solitary rose was on display for the Nevada High School Commencement Exercises Thursday night at the Nevada gym.

The chair and rose were for Jerry Bishop, a member of the Nevada School Board for 26 years who was recently killed when struck by a car. Superintendent Rick McAfee, at the beginning of the administrative address, asked for a moment of silence to remember Bishop.

A total of 35 seniors were presented their diplomas during the event. The gym was packed with family all on hand to witness this occasion.

Jason Arrington, NHS principal, welcomed everyone saying it’s been a joy to see these young people grow and mature as they reached this point in their lives, adding it’s been a challenge due to the pandemic. He said this wasn’t the year anyone wanted, but everyone made the best of it and the seniors did what it took to overcome the challenges so they could graduate. He pointed out a lot went on behind the scenes people weren’t aware of, and thanked the cafeteria workers, custodians, office staff, bus drivers, teachers and teacher’s aides for all they did to protect and educate the students.

Arrington reminded the audience two members of the staff will be retiring at the end of this year, Rick and Frances McAfee. “It’s hard to think of the district without them,” he said. McAfee has been with the district since it’s inception 33 years ago and has been superintendent the past 29 years. His wife has been the art teacher the entire time. Arrington said it’s unusual for a superintendent to stay with one school more than five years, and McAfee’s being here 33 years is a testimony  to his being vested in the district. Frances, he continued, has always gone above and beyond the call of duty when it came to decorating for school functions.

The honors address began with Malaijah McClenton and Ja’Vontae Pearson tagging in and out during their combined speech. They said they made it to this point thanks to their parents and this has been a year to remember and was nothing like they imagined it would be as they didn’t expect to have to wear masks to school. On the other hand, they agreed they made a lot of memories, got to laugh a lot and got in trouble as a class, but didn’t let the pandemic hold them back.

Tori Jones followed with a solo honors address, saying she wasn’t sure how they made it with COVID, but the Class of 21 literally lived for this moment and had it stolen from them because of the pandemic. She said there were a lot of crazy moments, and she’d never forget the boys winning the state basketball title, which couldn’t have been done without the support of the fans and community. “I’ll miss those late nights with the Blue Jay community. We’ve all been like one big family.”

Jones thanked McAfee saying he made school a great place for everyone, adding there were three things that got them to this point: hard work, dedication and airdrop.

Brayden Bennett was up next with the teacher appreciation. He said no one knew what to expect at the start of the year but the teachers were like a second set of parents, always looking out for them, pushing them to do their best and showing they cared, making this the best year of their lives. He also recognized McAfee saying he was the “backbone of the Blue Jay Nation”.

Kobe Edwards followed with the parent address, saying they couldn’t have reached this point without their parents, who were with them every step of the way, were the ones who cared for them the most, pushed them to reach their goals and prepared them for the real world. “They led us to this point.”

The class farewell was given by Breanna Lowe, who said it was great to see so many in attendance and this was a “long time coming.” Lowe said the class had been through a lot together, but came through it all, adding now many will be on their own for the first time in their lives, but have done all they could to prepare for it. “We may be small fish in a big pond,” she said, “but we’re the toughest and smartest fish in the pond.”

McAfee closed the speeches with the administrative address, saying this group was unique. He asked for a moment of silence for Bishop saying Bishop was a leader for the district and the district can’t replace his experience. “He was a good friend.”

He thanked everyone for the kind words they had for him and his wife, saying this has been a wonderful challenge and life spent with the community and students. This class, he said, had to endure something not seen since 1917 when the last global pandemic hit and then schools were closed for two years. But, with modern technology, these students were able to attend school and graduate. McAfee pointed out the teachers literally put their lives on the line to do their jobs because of the pandemic, and the students didn’t quit. Together, they fought through it all. “We are a nation,” he said, “a family.”