“Whatever you choose as a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”
This Chadwick Boseman quote was read by Wagener-Salley High School salutatorian Kaley Garvin during her speech at the WSHS graduation on Wednesday, June 7. She spoke about how the school strives to shape students to be the best they can be and to always strive for greatness.
“To the graduating class, it is finally the day we have all been waiting for,” Garvin said. “We began high school as children not knowing what the future held, but we are leaving here as adults, and each and every one of us should feel proud and accomplished. Today is the day we begin our life. Today we have become grown adults. Today we become accountable to someone other than our parents. I know we have worked tremendously hard and I want to say I am proud of us all. This diploma is a tool in this world that opens so many doors and opportunities, whether that be if you are going to college in the fall or taking a year off or going straight into the workforce.”
Garvin went on to encourage her fellow graduates to never give up, even when things are hard and they’ve been knocked down.
“Everything you encounter is going to mean something at the end,” Garvin said. “All of your hard work will one day pay off. If you get knocked down, always get back up. I hope every graduate here accomplishes their goals and dreams. I hope you all find something you are passionate about and something that makes you happy.”
Valedictorian Brooklyn Yon told the graduates the day marks a major milestone in their lives as they enter the next chapter in their journey.
“This is not goodbye, at least not yet,” Yon said. “I wish all my fellow classmates the best of luck in their journey through life no matter what path you decide to take leaving high school. I hope to see some of you in big headlines one day honoring all the visions you had that you made a reality.”
Aiken County Board of Education District 1 Representative Deborah Tyler encouraged graduates to continue reaching for their goals.
“It is my pleasure to stand with you today and celebrate your accomplishments,” Tyler said. “I commend you on the hard work that has gotten you to this point and I encourage you to carry that same mindset into your new journey. I challenge you to continue to set goals for yourself, cross them off your list as you accomplish them and then add another goal.”
Wagener-Salley High School Principal Rasheem Neloms wanted to celebrate all the graduates have accomplished over their many years in school.
“Graduating from high school is a marathon, not a sprint,” Neloms said. “Class of 2023, you have persevered through an unprecedented time to make it to this point in your life. In the face of adversity, especially in the challenges presented through your high school career and missing the last nine weeks of your freshmen year, having a hybrid sophomore year, you have learned to adapt, improvise, overcome and find ways to continue and succeed.”
Aiken County Public Schools graduations continue on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
