GRADUATION 2024: A look back at Albemarle High

Albemarle’s graduation was May 24. The following speeches were presented that day.

Welcome – Omega White

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty members, board members Mrs. Vicki Watson and Dr. Rufus Lefler, Chief Academic Officer Mr. Lynn Plummer, proud parents, friends, and, of course, the stars of the day, the graduating class of 2024.
My name is Omega White and I welcome you all to this momentous day.
Today is not just a culmination of academic achievement; it marks not just the end of a chapter, but the exciting start of a new journey. It’s the beginning of new adventures, new challenges, and new opportunities to shine. As we celebrate our graduates today, we also want to acknowledge those who have helped us get here. Without your support, today would not have been possible.
As we celebrate our graduates this morning, I want you to think of the quote from J. Cole: “There’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” Embrace your journey with all its ups and downs because it’s all part of your unique story.
So, welcome to Albemarle High School’s 2024 graduation. Let’s cheer, let’s applaud, and let’s celebrate the graduating class of 2024!

Miles Gregory

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, faculty, proud parents, and most importantly, my fellow graduates. It is my honor to address you today as a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Albemarle High School Class of 2024.
Who would have thought that this shy kindergartner from East Albemarle would be standing here today, delivering this speech? It’s a testament to how much we can grow and achieve when we step out of our comfort zones and embrace the opportunities that come our way.
I would like to take a moment to express our collective thanks to all the teachers, coaches, faculty and staff who have guided us, challenged us and inspired us throughout our time at Albemarle High. Your dedication and passion have not gone unnoticed. And to the unsung heroes, our parents; the real MVPs of our journey, you have made countless sacrifices to ensure our success. There are no words to truly express our gratitude.
Mom, Dad, thank you for believing in us, believing in me, when we doubted ourselves. Your love has shaped us into who we are today.
There have been so many memories over the past four years. From the “great debates” of Foley’s class to listening to the wisdom of Ms. Watson in the DLL room, to the “mad dashes” to grab that last salad at lunch, to watching our teachers try and try and try…to learn the latest Tik Tok dances. It has been a wonderful ride. And among these memories, one stands out as a testament to our Bulldog spirit.
Who could forget the Conference Championship football game this year? Despite the lack of stadium seats, our fans stood in the grass, along the fence line the entire game, and their cheers fueled our determination. Their unwavering support and relentless spirit led us to victory that wonderful night.
That win wasn’t just about a game — it was a testament to our unity, resilience, and the Bulldog spirit and pride. It’s these shared experiences that make us more than just graduates — we are Bulldog graduates.
Not everybody is built to be an Albemarle Bulldog. It takes a special kind of strength, determination, grit and hope to wear our colors with pride. In the face of Covid-19, transitioning to virtual school, enduring quarantines that put our extracurricular activities on hold, we’ve turned each challenge into a stepping stone towards our success.
This reminds me of a quote from Booker T. Washington, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life but by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.”
Being a Bulldog means embodying these qualities every day. It means having the grit to face any challenge head-on, the determination to keep going no matter what, and the hope that keeps us focused on our future. Our journey hasn’t been easy, but we’ve persevered. Look around you. We are more than classmates.
We are more than friends. We are a family.
As we step into the next chapter of our lives, let’s embrace the lessons we’ve learned, the friendships we’ve made, and cherish the memories we’ve created here at Albemarle High School. Let’s continue to face this thing called “life” with courage, celebrate our achievements with humility and above all, support each other with love and kindness.
Congratulations, Class of 2024, “Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. We did it!”

Jeydan Browne and Anaesia Davis

Good morning Albemarle High School students, staff and friends, and families. It’s great to see so many faces here this morning as we celebrate the class of 2024. We are so honored to be able to speak with you all this morning, but before we get started can we hear how our seniors are feeling this morning?
Jeydan: For those of us who do not know us, I am Jeydan and this is Anaesia. Oh my goodness for someone who is very involved in the school I am nervous to be here today. We are not going to take too much of your time because we are ready to throw our caps in the air too.
Let me begin with, we did it! We’re here, caps and gowns on, and ready to get to begin our journey. It really feels like yesterday when we were on lock down in our house freshman year, then sophomore year trying to figure life and school out again. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried and grown so much together. From tough exams to cheering at games, every moment has shaped us into who we are today.
Anaesia: As you take your step out into the world, Remember that you are capable of achieving greatness. You have worked hard to get to this point and your dedication and perseverance has paid off. But the journey doesn’t end here, it’s only the beginning. Believe in yourself and your abilities. You have the power to make a positive impact on the world, to make a difference in the lives of others, and to leave a lasting legacy whether you choose to pursue a career, continue your education or start your own venture. Know that you have potential to achieve great things.
Jeydan: Before we go, we want to give thanks to all of those that have stayed to support us. Thank you to our parents, our families, our teachers and staff members. Thank you for the memories and the lessons you have instilled in us as we have grown into the graduates we are today. We’re not just a class; we’ve become a family. And as we go our separate ways today, let’s carry forward the lessons and friendships that we made here.
So class of 2024, let’s turn our dreams into reality. Let’s be brave as we go into the real world. Here’s to our past, and here’s to our future; let’s make it one for the history books.
Together: Congratulations, class of 2024, we did it.

Albemarle graduates:

Braelin Abbott
Ander Artis
Santiago Bautista
Mahogany Bennett
Amiya Benson
Jadon Biles
Titiana Blair
Dorian Brown
Jeydan Browne
Chloe Byrum
Indira Cantos-Montana
Makayla Cates
Anthony Clark
Anaesia Davis
Riley Davis
Ajarian Dockery
Jacquelin Elrod
Jamirica Everhardt
Nathan Fitzgerald
Aaliyah Fortner
Kate Foutz
Makayla Frank
Marian Garcia-Hernandez
Ny’Jah Garner
Serenity Greene
Miles Gregory
Aundrea Hamilton
Antarrio Harris
Christian Harris
Amy Hernandez Jaimes
Colton Higgins
David Hoggard
Madison Huneycutt
Keshauna Huntley
Hannah Johnson
Ramya Johnson
Sky Lee
Tyler Lennon
Charles Lindsay
Nadia Lindsey
Tyquan McDonald
A’ziah McGuine
Coy McIntyre
Morgan McKenzie
Michylynn McKinney
Kareem McLendon
Destiny Miller
Ashley Montesino-Rivas
Jennifer Moya Aguilar
Esmeralda Munoz Benitez
Kimayah Nelson
Edwin Osegueda
Zamyan Parker
Jaylen Pinkney
Damya Polk
Jada Poplin
Josue Quinones Garcia
Edward Redmon
Kennedy Rhone
Jada Ridenhour
Joseph Ridenhour
Raymond Ritter
Garrie Rivers
Jose Rodriguez
Derrick Rogers
Manuel Rojas Sanchez
De’Majai Roseboro
Brayan Sanchez Sanchez
Tahmya Sellers
Anastasia Simmons
Jack Smith
Jake Smith
Kaiyana Spencer
Ethan Squires
Martaevious Stanley
Charles Stevens
Sapphire Stone
Rita Thao
Malachi Thomas
Yannick Thompson
Tanaisha Tillman
Kassie Tomlinson
Rosvin Ulloa Guzman
Precious Vang
Jabariah Wall
Jason Wall
Malik Watkins
Omega White
Jayden Williams
Ameeria Williamson

The post GRADUATION 2024: A look back at Albemarle High appeared first on The Stanly News & Press .