Household and mates gathered at Sharp Stadium on Friday evening as Eastside’s Class of 2025 took the ultimate steps of their highschool tenure.
After everybody in attendance watched on as 397 soon-to-be graduates took the sphere, the ceremony was kicked off by a trio of Eastside seniors.
Following opening remarks from Mackenzie Buchanon and the pledge to the flag by 2025 Covington Information Youth of the 12 months Robby Thomas Jr., Anna Underwood took to the stage to welcome all visitors to the celebration of Eastside’s latest class.
“We have now all labored so onerous to get to today and I’m ecstatic to see all of us gathered collectively to have a good time this monumental event,” Underwood stated. “Martin Luther as soon as stated, ‘When faculties flourish, all thrives.’”
Subsequent in line was Eastside’s Salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Earlier than he addressed his fellow graduates, Scharf took the time to thank everybody in attendance and even those that had been unable to make it for the efforts in molding these in caps and robes.
“All of the mother and father, grandparents, family and friends members. You guys have cheered us on once we wanted it and pushed us to be one of the best model of ourselves,” Scharf stated.
In Scharf’s message to the Class of 2025, the salutatorian made positive to remind each graduate that Friday’s accomplishment was a product of all the work every scholar has put in. Moreover, he made positive to inform everybody to cherish this second.
“In just some minutes, Mr. Adams goes to learn out every and everybody of your names. Not simply since you paid your price or your senior dues, not simply since you sat in a classroom, however since you devoted 4 years of onerous work to this,” Scharf stated. “You pushed these courses that simply didn’t appear to finish. You pushed by hours and hours of homework to get to this second — your commencement. You earned this diploma you’re about to obtain, and you ought to be pleased with it.
“If you do get your title referred to as and also you stroll throughout this stage, I need to see your smiles. Not simply in your households or for an image. Don’t assume you’re too cool to smile, don’t assume you’re too nonchalant. However I need to see you smile since you’re really blissful. You’re feeling that satisfaction of engaging in a aim you labored 12 years in direction of now. ”
The rostrum was then turned over to the category Valedictorian, Eli White. After starting his remarks with due to everybody in attendance, White made positive to notice how his place within the ceremony was an honor.
“Standing earlier than you at present as Eastside Excessive Faculty’s esteemed Class of 2025 Valedictorian is actually an honor,” White stated. “Standing on this stage, delivering this speech, in a second equivalent to this, has been a aim of mine for so long as I can keep in mind. Even once I was so younger I couldn’t pronounce the phrase Valedictorian accurately. And take a look at me now, I’ve lastly completed the one factor I wished most since elementary college.”
White made positive to acknowledge the accomplishments of this yr’s class and the issues they persevered previous to succeed in commencement.
“Everyone knows it wasn’t straightforward getting right here. In simply 4 years, we struggled by a copious quantity of assignments. We transitioned into a brand new, unfamiliar constructing. And we survived Robby in a chemistry lab, virtually burning down our model new college,” White joked. “However regardless of all of it, what really issues is that we overcome these obstacles.
As White’s speech got here to a detailed, he shared a well-known quote that he believed summed up his message to this yr’s graduates.
“‘Proceed to be taught, develop, develop, and attain your fullest potential, as there isn’t any such factor as an unimportant particular person or an unimportant day,’” White stated. “That quote that we both heard or ignored the final 4 years is the recommendation I hope you obtain from this speech at present.”
Following White’s remarks, Newton School and Profession Academy(NCCA) CEO Chad Walker took the stage to acknowledge people who selected to attend NCCA for his or her schooling.
“You made NCCA higher by simply merely being part of it,” Walker stated.
Assistant Principal Bart Buff then acknowledged those that reached important achievements and offered a breakdown of a few of the numbers for the Eagles’ latest graduates.
- 360 college students accomplished one or a number of pathways of examine
- 140 college students coming into the workforce or coaching program
- 24 AP Students
- 9 AP Students with Honor
- 16 AP Students with distinction
- 23 graduates planning to serve within the navy
Buff famous how 49 AP Students set a document for the best variety of in a single Eastside graduating class. He additionally highlighted that the category will matriculate to over 80 completely different schools throughout the nation.
“From Hampton College within the east, to the College of Oregon within the west,” Buff stated. “From Yale College within the north to Louisiana State College within the south. The Class of 2025 will likely be represented at 10 HBCUs throughout 5 states in addition to at 44 completely different schools and universities in Georgia.”
Eastside principal Dr. Jeff Cher began his remarks by ensuring every particular person in attendance acknowledged how particular this second is for not solely the graduates, however the households in attendance.
“Proper now as your loved ones gazes upon you sitting together with your cap and robe, it’s a surreal second for them,” Cher stated. Their hearts are flooded with satisfaction. Their minds are flooded with recollections of your life. They see the toddler they held of their arms. The kindergartner heading to the primary day of faculty, the kid who’s tears had been wiped away. The child with infinite questions. The center schooler with loopy hair and unsure insecurities. The highschool freshman taking the primary steps on independence. And now, the graduate.”
Following phrases from Newton County Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III, the second arrived for the Eastside graduates.
After Bradley gave his remaining affirmation for the graduates, Jack Baker got here to the rostrum with the best vitality of the evening as he led Eastside’s Class of 2025 with the turning of the tassel to mark the top of the long-awaited ceremony.
