On Thursday evening, May 25, over 400 graduates commemorated their final moments as seniors, and said goodbye to their panther family at Lakeside High School’s 35th annual commencement ceremony.
With hundreds of graduates, Columbia County School District’s Superintendent Steven Flynt highlighted that more than 180 seniors were graduating with honors, and students had accumulated over $4.3 million in scholarships.
“We’re very proud to share that many Lakeside graduates will leave here today with more than just their diploma; many of you will start college several credits ahead because you participated in dual enrollment, advanced placement and ivy diploma program courses,” said Flynt. “This puts you one step closer to achieving your goals.”
Flynt also mentioned the various accomplishments the Class of 2023 earned, such as: three governor’s honor finalists, a national merit winner and three national merit finalists, a Georgia scholar, a national region Science Bowl Champion, a region title for the girl’s and boy’s lacrosse team, a sixth consecutive region win for the school’s competition cheerleading team and many more accomplishments.
“As you know the vision of Columbia County School District is to lead the nation in educational excellence, where each student is engaged, enriched and inspired,” he said. “Graduates, we’re extremely optimistic that the experiences throughout your educational journey will provide a foundation to build on all of these things.”
Flynt said he hoped graduates remembered the importance of engaging with one’s future career, enrichment in the beauty of lifelong learning and all the joys that accompany teaching or helping others, and inspiration to continue to achieve in levels far above anyone’s expectations.
In her speech, Class President Emily Wright charged students with the important task of reflecting on their time at Lakeside High, and all the vital lessons they learned together.
“Life as we know is changing – for the better, for the stronger and for the happier, but life as we know it will soon be no more,” she said. “Just for an evening, put aside that ambition to leave and never look back, clear aside your thoughts of tomorrow and be present; think about today and yesterday and all the many days before that made up the last four years of your life.”
Calling her peers to remember the mental breakdowns over tests, the Friday night lights, the bonfires, the all-nighters and all the friends made along the way, Wright said she wanted each student to especially reflect on who they are as an individual, and who they have grown to be in such a short amount of time.
“The point is today is a celebration of a new chapter in your life, but it is also the closing of another,” she said. “This is the last time you will be surrounded by this group of exceptional people. The last time you will be in arm’s reach of some of the most influential educators in your life, and this is the last time you will be honored as a Lakeside High School Panther. So let’s take it all in, and live this moment together.”
Following Wright and Flynt, the graduating class’ favorite voted teacher spoke on the importance of looking forward to one’s future opportunities.
“My students have heard a thousand times about looking in the mirror and seeing their greatest competition, and being better today than you were yesterday,” said Coach and Advanced Placement teacher Jon Johnson. “Each day is about differing opportunities … for today, the most important opportunity belongs to you. In just a minute, you will walk across this stage into a world of opportunities that have simple choices with quick results, and some will take time to come full circle.”
While graduation is about saying goodbye and chasing one’s dreams, whether one’s goal is to become a doctor, a lawyer or a parent, Johnson also said the ceremony was about being aware of all the upcoming opportunities, choices and freedoms each senior will have.
“What will you do with these opportunities? Will you take a leap of faith? Will you see how far you can go or will you let it pass? You see, you’re in control of your destiny now,” he said. “You are going to face opportunity head on, and you are the decision maker. I don’t know what your opportunities will be guys, but I do know that you’ve been prepared by some of the best educators and people you could ask for. So take this opportunity today to thank those people who have helped you to this point, and take the time today to be kind to yourself and others.”
With many of the graduates being accomplished in various aspects and competing throughout high school in multiple competitions, Salutatorian Gracelynn Xia said students sometimes struggled to remember the importance of the individual. However, despite life’s ongoing competitions, Xia hoped her fellow graduates would each know success – whatever form that may be.
“No matter how you feel, please embrace the knowledge that there is no correct way to feel; this is a day for our graduating class as a whole, but it is also a day for you as an individual,” she said. “It is crucial to remember that success is not a ‘one size fits all’ concept. As we stand on the cusp of adulthood let us be sure of what success really is – success should be defined by our personal growth, values we uphold, the impact that we make and the happiness that we find.”
As freshmen who had to face an “unprecedented pandemic” and now have to accept their “splintering paths,” Xia concluded her speech by pointing out how every student was meant to be at Lakeside High for a reason, and that each had an incredible amount of adaptability and resiliency that would serve them well in the future.
“Each and every one of us has unique dreams, aspirations and talents, and therefore all of us have a unique place in this world even if we’re not quite sure what that is just yet,” she said. “What matters most is that we stay true to ourselves and follow our passions … life has so much to offer us … and we’re on the precipice of a new chapter – one filled with adventures, discovery and personal growth.”
After Xia’s speech, Valedictorian Palmer Epps said it was vital that each graduate remember how their class refused to allow a pandemic to dictate an average high school experience, and that each should hold dear the moments and possibilities they shared together. Similar to defeating an unforeseen pandemic, Epps said graduates would now have to overcome relationship trials and tests due to distance and time apart; however, with support from family and friends, he believes they all be able to weather the bittersweet moment, and successfully face the drastic changes ahead.
“Through all we’ve been through, you’re capable of a little bit of perspective change. We don’t have to leave behind our childhood, only to do more paperwork and studying. We get to make even more memories,” he said. “We get to pursue our dreams and make a difference in a world insisting on maintaining the status quo … go with a spirit of joy and hope, excited for what is to come for each and every one of us.”
Graduate parent and retiring Lakeside High teacher, Becky Horner, said she was beyond excited to witness and be a part of her students’ and daughter’s ceremony.
“I’m very proud and very happy,” she said. “I’m going to miss building relationships with the students … they have just been fabulous. I really thought retiring was going to be easy, but as I was packing up my room I realized it was hard to let go of things.”
To end the ceremony, while students swayed and smiled together as they sang Lakeside High’s alma mater, attending parents, friends and relatives looked on with pride as many cheered and held back tears for their accomplished graduate.
“Class of 2023, go be great,” said Johnson. “Go chase your dreams, and take the opportunity to make a difference.”
