Onto the next journey: GHS Class of 2024 graduates News Staff Tue, 05/28/2024 - 10:34 am
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Students of the Graham High School Class of 2024 throw their graduation caps into the air and celebrate the end of their time in high school and what the future holds for them. Parents, guardians, friends and more gathered Friday, May 24 at Newton Field for the ceremony. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The family of Olga Morales celebrates her as she passes by the home side of Newton Field during the Graham High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony held Friday, May 24. The stands on the home side of the field were filled with visitors who cheered on the students and their accomplishments. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graduates walk by the visitors side of Newton Field as they entered for their graduation ceremony Friday, May 24. The graduates were welcomed by Class President Lawson Marin, given a student express by Distinguished Honor Graduate Lillian Graham and led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Class Office Aidan Adams. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham High School Class of 2024 enters Newton Field during their graduation ceremony Friday, May 24. The class was led by Principal Joe Gordy and Assistant Principal Necia Marin. The graduates walked onto the track and passed the visitor side and home side of the stands where family, friends and more were there to cheer them on for their accomplishments. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Valedictorian Abbie Helm is introduced by Graham High School Principal Joe Gordy at the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony held Friday, May 24 at Newton Field. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham High School graduates line up at Newton Field for their graduation ceremony held Friday, May 24. 
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham High School Class of 2024 celebrates their graduation as they are adjourned from their graduation ceremony held Friday, May 24 at Newton Field. The graduates left to their senior song ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield.
Thomas Wallner editor@grahamleader.com
The Graham High School Class of 2024 followed their school song and let their voices loudly ring and echo far and near as they celebrated their graduation last week.
The graduation ceremony was held Friday, May 24 at Newton Field, with family, friends and more filling the stands in celebration of the students’ achievements.
The audience and graduating students were welcomed by GHS Principal Joe Gordy and Student Council President Lawson Marin and a student expression was presented by Distinguished Honor Graduate Lillian Graham.
“We are gathered here to celebrate our achievements and what led us to this very moment. Whether you stayed up countless nights late to finish assignments, or participated in a sport that left you no free time, all of your hard working actions have led you to this moment,” Graham said. “We are also gathered here to celebrate our future. We are in a transitional moment where we know who we are, but not who we may be. The future is uncertain, which is scary. But at the same time, it’s thrilling. Remember that the future is not something we step into, but something we create.”
Gordy introduced the top three students in the class which in the order of GPA are Valedictorian Abbie Helm, Salutatorian Mary Graham and Lillian.
Mary Graham gave her salutatory address first, thanking her parents for being encouraging and loving and her biggest motivators, her twin sister Lillian and Helm. She said she took time to think about what to say in her address before thinking of an experience where she shot an arrow into an air conditioning unit at her home.
“Through this experience, I took away a few life lessons,” she said. “I recognized that there were consequences to my actions. I should have thought of the outcome of placing a target next to an air conditioning unit before taking the shot. I also learned that taking accountability for my actions is easier than running away from them. Lastly, and most importantly, I realized that making mistakes offers an opportunity for growth and learning. I became more cautious, honest and thoughtful through this horrible mistake.”
She said the students have been taught to seek perfection in their lives and avoid mistakes at all costs. Encouraging taking risks and embracing mistakes is something she said is important to learn valuable life lessons.
“These mistakes helped us prepare for real world situations, have developed our problem solving skills and have created personal growth. Each mistake is a lesson waiting to be learned, a chance to refine our skills and a stepping stone on the path to success,” she said. “In the next few years... some of these challenges will be difficult and we may stumble along the way, but it’s during these moments of struggle that we truly discover who we are and what we’re capable of.”
Following her address was the valedictory address from Helm where she also thanked those who have pushed her to the place where she is today.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today without the continuous love and support that has been offered by my teachers, friends, community and family. I have been so blessed to be able to grow up in a small town like Graham,” she said. “...The love I have felt from this town is truly unmatched. I’ve been surrounded by the same friend group for most of my life and wouldn’t trade them for the world. On top of that, I get to share the stage tonight with Mary and Lillian (Graham), both of whom have been my best friends since the age of three and are two of the most intelligent and selfless people I’ve ever met.”
She offered advice to her graduating class that they should take advantage of what they have available to them so they accomplish greatness.
“Make today your day one, the day that you put all the nonsense behind you as to why you can’t accomplish the dreams you have set for yourself. Whether you have to break your goals into pieces to attain the big picture, starting small is better than not starting at all,” she said. “We all have our own unique purpose in this world and it’s up to you whether you choose results or excuses, but you can’t have both. Make today your day one and take advantage of the opportunities you have before they slip away.”
Her second suggestion to the Class of 2024 and to those in attendance in the audience was to look at intelligence in a different way and not just measured from academic success.
“We’re all smart in our own way, but it comes down to how hard we’re willing to work to get there. I think there is a point in life where knowledge can only get you so far. Knowledge provides us with a foundation and understanding of concepts, while hard work is the driving force behind actualizing goals and achieving success,” she said. “I feel that the word smart has a common misconception that only focuses on the academic side of it and ignores countless meanings it has to offer.”
Superintendent Sonny Cruse presented the graduating class and Gordy certified the class before presenting the diplomas to the students.
A closing student express was given by Student Council Vice President Kenadie Morrison before the students had their school song and tossed their caps high in the sky.
The students adjourned the field to their senior song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield and celebrated on the field. The moment served not only as a close for the students but a new beginning for their futures.
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