Wortham graduates 34 seniors

• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors
• Wortham graduates 34 seniors

Wortham High School’s new graduates toss their graduation caps into the air with joy, as is the tradition, at the close of the commencement ceremony on Friday evening, May 24, at the Wortham Gymnasium. Photo by Roxanne Thompson/Fairfield Recorder LEFT: Wortham Independent School District trustee Billy Perez congratulates Cash Perez as he receives his high school diploma at the Wortham graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24. CENTER: Graduating senior Dakota Butler enters the Wortham Gymnasium with her arms full of white roses at the Wortham graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24. RIGHT: Salutatorian Beanna Kennedy addresses those attending Friday night’s commencement ceremony at the Wortham Gymnasium. Photos by Roxanne Thompson/Fairfield Recorder LEFT: Wortham graduate Thomas Grela hugs loved ones as he hands out white roses to express appreciation to those who helped him graduate at the Wortham commencement ceremony on Friday, May 24. RIGHT: Leyla Cardoza hands white roses to her loved ones at the Wortham graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24. Photos by Roxanne Thompson/Fairfield Recorder ABOVE: Valedictorian Madison Newhouse at front and Breckyn Waggener at front left lead those in attendance at the Wortham graduation ceremony in pledging allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags. At rear from left, can be seen High School Principal David Hayes, Wortham ISD Superintendent Melissa Bosley, Counselor AmyJo Miller, and trustees Sam Wright and Billy Perez. BELOW: Wortham High School graduates clasp hands together as they sing the school song at the close of the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 24, at the Wortham Gymnasium. Photos by Roxanne Thompson/Fairfield Recorder

The mood was jubilant as families and friends of 34 Wortham High School seniors gathered at the Wortham Gymnasium for its annual commencement ceremony.

The gym was overflowing, with every seat taken well before the event began.

Across the small stage, members of the board of trustees sat as well as Superintendent Melissa Bosley and Counselor AmyJo Miller.

Principal David Hayes then invited the graduates to follow a cherished Wortham High School tradition, which is to present longstemmed white roses to those in the audience who had given them the support and encouragement the students needed over the years to complete their accomplishment of high school graduation.

While they distributed the roses, their class song, “Good Old Days,” by Macklemore and Kesha was played: “I wish somebody would have told me, babe, someday these will be the good old days…”

THREE ADDRESSES: SUPERINTENDENT, SALUTATORIAN, VALEDICTORIAN

Superintendent Bosley welcomed the trustees, staff and teachers, as well as the graduates and their families and supporters. She also advised the graduates to create positive habits.

“Carve out time in your day for a little exercise,” she said. “Show gratitude for those who have helped you along the way; give random compliments to someone who may need to hear a friendly voice; choose to smile, and call home to talk to your family. Make positive habits a part of each day.”

• Salutatorian Salutatorian Breanna Kennedy said when she reflects on her high school journey, she advises her fellow graduates to live each day as if there is no tomorrow.

“One Bible verse that particularly resonates with me,” she said, “is Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.’” She also expressed gratitude to her family, especially to her parents for having faith in her and encouraging her to do her best; and to her teachers for the wisdom they shared and their dedication. She congratulated her fellow graduates on their graduation and expressed confidence in their ability to achieve great things and have a positive impact on the world.

• Valedictorian Valedictorian Madison Newhouse followed Breanna and also gave advice for future students as well as those also graduating.

“Fellow graduates, we are officially done with high school,” she said. “Behind us, all our memories; before us, all our dreams; around us, all who love us; within us, all we need. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each and every one of you.

“As we leave here, I want you to take with you a sense of pride, a sense of purpose and a sense of possibility. We have the power to change the world, so go out there and make it happen.”

Madison also quoted a Bible verse not only for the graduates but for everyone listening: “Jeremiah 29:11 says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’

“This Bible verse has helped me through many tough times,” she said. “It is comforting to know that our lives with God have a greater plan and purpose.

“Everything that has happened in our lives is part of a larger narrative that is unfolding,” she said. “We must trust the path ahead and move forward, knowing there is a plan for our prosperity.”

AUDIENCE RESPONSE

At several points in the ceremony, Principal David Hayes listed the many accomplishments of the graduates; and the crowd responded with cheers, claps, whoops and shouts of approval.

After the addresses, the graduates walked across the stage, one at a time, accepted their diploma and shook hands with each trustee.

Finally, the grads sang the Wortham School Song as they held hands, moved their tassels to the other side of their graduation caps and then threw their mortarboards into the air in celebration of their accomplishment.