Hope High Graduation

Hope High School held its graduation at the High School Stadium on Friday evening. The near side filled up completely and the far side had many people as well. Parking was wherever anyone could find a space to park.

The graduation started with a processional accompanied by the Hope High School band. The welcome was given by the principal, Mr. Donald Patton. Mrs. Arnetta Bradford sang the National Anthem.

Opening remarks were made by Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley, who said he was glad the graduating class was there as they were celebrating not only excellence but also love  He recognized the seven Board members and then the honor graduates – summa, magna and cum laude. Mrs. Elizabeth Richey, the Vice Principal recognized the students in the Collegiate Academy.

The first student speaker was Cam’ron Robinson, a recent graduate of UAHT who said that he was honored to be there. He said there would always be rough patches but to keep going. Robinson said life is unfair, if not there would be no life lessons. He said with faith in God he was able to there. He spoke about the need to be kind, quoting Maya Angelou – people will forget what you said and what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel.

The other student speaker was Kaleo Anderson who spoke about making it through the grace of God and the many changes the class had gone through including COVID. He gave thanks to teachers, football coaches, his mother and classmates.

Dr. Crossley presented the statement that through his 13 years in education he had made a lasting impression in the districts he had served. He has been passionate in breaking down barriers and moving education forward.  He spoke about thinking about what he could say to the class, coming up with a three minute, five minute and a much longer version and deciding on the five minute speach.  Dr. Crossley came up with Bible verse Luke 8 verse 22 in which Jesus asks his disciples where their faith is and rebukes the waves and wind. Dr. Crossley stated  the storm is the stage and mentioned his experience of his aunt passing when he was 22 and she was bright and lively. She told him she had a month left to live and told him to love God and love others before himself.  The Superintendent asked what if the test was to go through one storm to face the next. He talked about the number of mistakes he made everyday. He said not to think of them as storms but as challenges to carry them through.