THE PLAINS — “Move your tassels from the right to the left, you are now graduated from Athens High School.”
The words of Athens High School Principal Chad Springer rang through McAfee Gymnasium Saturday morning moments before the packed gym erupted in applause during the 2024 Athens High School Commencement.
“You can change what you can change and you can’t change others, you can only change your reaction to them. Let your character define you and live up to your own expectations,” said Springer during his last commencement address as principal. Next fall, Springer will be serving the Athens City School District as associate superintendent.
Springer called on the Bulldogs to pay it forward and have a positive impact on others.
“Give back to others. I want you to think of the past 12 years of education. There were times along the way where you strayed, you needed help and someone was there for you — a parent, grandparent, relative, friend, teacher and so on. Remember that they had a positive impact on you. You have all needed help from someone at some point.”
Springer continued, “I challenge you to be a positive impact for someone else. You all had a positive impact on me. If you can change the world half as much as you changed me, I know that you will make the world a better place. Always continue to pay it forward. I am proud to call you my students. I am proud to be your principal.”
Saturday marked the completion of another school year and the sending off of a new class toward their future endeavors. Though the closing of a chapter, the graduation ceremony allows one final time to look back at the time that was.
There was a common theme shared between the few speakers of the hour-long event, camaraderie and conviction. Whether it was Valedictorian Helen Lui and Salutatorian Aiza Zaki echoing the values of friendship in order to get through struggles or Springer applauding the class’ resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic, those in the Class of 2024 did it together.
Lui and Zaki both spoke to the importance of making personal connections.
“Positive relationships like ours in challenging times inspire us to grow” by pushing people to achieve academically and personally,” Zaki said.
Lui added, “We’d like to emphasize the importance of treasuring your relationships with people who have helped you, who have accommodated you and who have supported you on your way here today. Also, make sure to cherish and prioritize the future bonds you will create with others.”
Senior Class President Lance Ausseresses echoed what many seniors were thinking — It was the people who made AHS special during seniors’ time as Bulldogs.
“I realized that the greatest memory is all of you. The people who made school tolerable,” Ausseresses said with a smile during his remarks. “Seeing you after walking in those front doors every day is what made me keep coming back, day after day.”
Although the Class of 2024 will never have to step through those doors again, they will remain Bulldogs forever.
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