It was standing room only as people packed into the stands on both sides of Raider Stadium Friday night in Mt. Airy to cheer on Habersham Central High’s graduating Class of 2017. In all, 442 seniors from Central and the Success Academy received their diplomas. It’s the largest graduating class in the school’s history.
The evening ceremony was marked by good weather, traditional pomp and circumstance and a not so traditional valedictory speech.
Valedictorian Brooke Benfield challenged her classmates to turn the millennial generation stereotype on its head. Millennials, often maligned as being careless, wasteful and selfish should be all of those things, Benfield said…but in a good way.
“We do posses the ability to change this landscape that has become our supposed identity,” she told her classmates, “so let us be careless; not with our futures, not with our treatment of others, not with our environment, but with our drive to do good. We should not worry about what society thinks is weird or a waste of time. If it helps someone in need then why do we care for the opinion of others?”
Benfield continued, “Let us be wasteful; not with our time, not with our finances, not with our resources, but with our diligence. Try when it seems right. Try when it seems pointless. Try when there is nothing else. We only get so many chances to persevere.”
She concluded with, “Let us be selfish; not with our possessions, not with our servitude, not with our hope, but with our happiness. If you are not happy then when are you going to change that, when it’s too late? You are the one that will make the difference in your life.”
“None of us made it here alone tonight. No one earns a diploma by themselves.” ~ Kendall Barclay, HCHS Salutatorian
Recognizing those who’ve made a difference in her life, Salutatorian Kendall Barclay thanked “every teacher, coach, counselor and school administrator that poured into my life, pushing me to be the best I can be.” She added, “None of us made it here alone tonight. No one earns a diploma by themselves. We all have people that have helped us get to this point in our lives.”
Barclay said, “Tonight is the transition from high school to real life. Tonight as our high school days become distant and fond memories…we look to the future.”
Senior Class President Savannah Rogers exhorted her fellow graduates to look to that future with confidence.
“Do not underestimate yourselves. This is our beginning, not our end. Your high school memories and accomplishments should be cherished but don’t let these past four years be the best years of your life,” she urged.
READ: Endings & New Beginnings (HCHS graduation photo gallery)
“God has given each and every one of us gifts and not utilizing these gifts is a disaster,” Rogers said. “Our teachers here at Central have taught us not what to think, but how to think. They have taught us how to use these gifts.”
Rogers concluded her remarks with a rallying cry for seniors, “The best should only be what is yet to come,” she said. “The world is waiting for us. Let’s go!”
The evening was punctuated by some lighthearted moments as beach balls flew through the air (they were quickly seized). And there was a rousing display of Raider pride when HCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Amy Hood led the class in her signature morning announcement greeting. “Today is Friday, May 26th, and THIS,” said Hood as the seniors chimed in, “is the Day of the Raider!”
It took 33 minutes to confer diplomas on the large class. When it was all said and done, parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family and friends streamed onto the field to congratulate the graduates. Some walked away misty-eyed. Others, could barely contain their exuberance. It was a night thirteen years in the making and the atmosphere was electric with emotion and energy.
The graduates’ farewell wasn’t the only one.
Friday’s commencement ceremony was the fourth and final one at Habersham Central for outgoing principal Wes McGee. He resigned this week to accept a job as principal of a new high school in Hall County. The search for his successor is now underway.
HCHS 2017 Graduation VIDEO
May 26, 2017 • Raider Stadium • Mt. Airy, GA
(Commencement Program & video start times)
Pomp and Circumstance – Elgar (8:32)
Presentation of Colors – Honor Guard Habersham Central Air Force Jr. Rotc (15:26)
Pledge of Allegiance – Eagle Scouts: Samuel Ferguson, Spencer Garrett,
Joseph Meredith & Jacob Trotter (16:04)
National Anthem – Habersham Singers (16:27)
Alma Mater – Habersham Singers (18:09)
Introduction of Guests – HCHS Principal Wesley Mcgee (19:26)
Moment of Reflection – Senior Class Treasurer Brittany Jones (21:00)
Senior Class Public Relations Officer Morgan Jones (22:21)
Class President’s Address – Savannah Rogers (23:59)
Salutatorian’s Address – Kendall Barclay (33:26)
Class Poem: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” By Dr. Seuss – Kiley Blackburn (38:51)
Class Motto: Jeremiah 29:11 – Kiley Blackburn (40:15)
Valedictorian’s Address – Brooke Benfield (40:53)
Mediations for the Future – Senior Class Vice-President Virginia Miguel (46:40)
Delivery of Diplomas – Habersham County Board Of Education Chairman Dr. Robert Barron (48:50)
Presentation of the Class of 2017 – HCHS Principal Wesley Mcgee (1:21:22)
Class Song – “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins (1:21:34)
