Paris, Tenn.–The rain cleared away in time for a picture-perfect graduation ceremony for the Henry County High School Class of 2022 Friday evening. A late afternoon downpour threatened to move the ceremony indoors, but the storm clouds parted, chairs were dried off, and the school’s 53rd graduation was held outdoors in Patriot Stadium.
HCHS Principal Michele Webb announced at the outset of the ceremony that some $3,290,000 in scholarships has been awarded to the Class of 2022–so far. There are 288 students in the Class of 2022.
The ceremony was livestreamed on the HCHS Facebook page.
Student speakers were: Class President Abby Taylor; Valedictorian Taylor Dunagan; Salutatorian Jamie Underwood; Josey Pettit Honorable Mention.
Here are their speeches:
Class President – Abby Taylor
Good evening, and welcome to our class of 2022 graduation ceremony. I
would first like to thank our faculty and staff, especially officer Powell, for helping
me write this speech. I invite you to thank all of our leaders, families, and friends
who have encouraged and taught us through our high school years. In the past four
years, a majority of our time was spent in the classrooms of Henry County High
School. Memories that we will cherish. Such as hearing your first, last, and
somehow middle name yelled across the lunchroom by Michael Pond. Or,
witnessing George O‘Neal and Levi Wayne help Carson Scott (@carsonscott)
reach 25.5 million views on Tik Tok. Or, cheering Cole Townsend as he managed
to set a new football record even with an injured ankle. Or, watching Mary Raye
Smith as she changed her food preferences from a lunchable and mac and cheese to
an occasional salad. Visiting daily Mrs. Velvet and Mrs. Wood. Arriving forty–five
minutes before the game just to get a seat in the student section but still not getting
a front row seat. Discovering Nadia McFadden and Benton Lampkin making their
own parking spots. Hearing Sam Patterson become the new Coach Summers with
the daily “Go Big Red!” Walking into class and seeing Coach Summers, knowing
we actually have to do work that day. And driving past what seems like an empty
parking spot, but is really occupied by Logan William‘s bike. And lastly,
apologizing to Luke Jackson, Chas Wade, and Shane Rogers for ruining our
crispito day.
Memories are worth more than any math problem we were taught or any
president we had to research. As Dr. Seuss once said, “Sometimes you never know
the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Memories are meant to be
shared and remembered throughout the rest of our lives. I challenge you that when
you leave from here and take all of your experiences and apply those to your life,
learn from your mistakes, and make a difference in the greater good in whatever
you decide to do. Whether you are pursuing college, technical school, the military,
or the workforce, may you all remember the lessons that Henry County High
School has taught. I wish you the best in your endeavors and hope you always
remember, “Go Big Red!”
Honorable Mention – Josey Pettit
Good evening fellow graduates, family, friends, teachers, and administrators.
My name is Josey Pettit, your class of 2022 honorable mention, and it is a pleasure
to speak to you this evening.
May 13th. We thought it couldn‘t get here fast enough. We wondered how it
got here so fast and, at times, felt like it might never get here. Excited, nervous,
afraid; all these emotions we have felt about the coming of today, and it is finally
here. I understood that the recognition of the hard work of the class was the reason
for an honorable mention to be named. The truth is, I don‘t feel like my hard work
is more important than everyone else‘s. We have all worked hard to get here today.
Each of us have worked toward different things: Academics, sports, art, music,
dance, rodeo, taking care of your family, or whatever else. No matter how you got
here, there was something, or maybe even a couple of somethings, that each of you
put your time and energy into everyday this year.
Perhaps one of the hardest things we have worked toward this year, at least
for me, was deciding what to do after this day. It‘s been pretty easy so far. Most
everybody‘s days looked pretty similar. Wake up, come to school, go to work or go
to practice, and go home. The days that have been so easily planned for us these
past twelve years are over.
The excitement of finishing school has been a little overshadowed by the
fear. The fear of what comes next. What do we do after May 13th? Some of us are
still working on that one. Some of us have known for months. Some will go to
college, some to the military, some straight into the workforce, and almost all of us
will change our minds again and again before we come to a decision. And all I
know is that even if we have made up our mind, it‘s still scary. But that fear is a
good thing; it‘s what made me stay up late to write this speech the night before it
was due. Fear is a motivator. It pushes us to be better.
So, thank you to the fear. Thank you to the teachers who put the fear in us,
and the ones that take it down a notch. Thank you to the parents who do both, and
the friends who sit in the fear with you.
Congratulations, class of 2022, on your hard work, and best wishes for
what‘s to come.
Salutatorian – Jamie Underwood
A lot of us thought this day would never come. For years, we have watched
class after class graduate waiting for it to be our turn. For months, we have counted
down the days waiting to walk across the stage. Tonight we have reached that
finish line; a finish line filled with bittersweet endings and new beginnings.
Many of us remember walking around Grove not having a clue where to go.
Others remember the new classes and first day jitters. One thing many people do
not know about me is that on August 3rd, 2018, our first day of high school, I was
released from a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Three weeks
later, I was able to return to Grove and begin my high school career.
To some, starting high school may not have symbolized anything, but for
me, it signified perseverance and a hope for the future. Throughout my personal
struggles, I realized that I had so much more to look forward to than the difficult
trial that I was facing. Today, I look around and I know that there are many
students going through difficulties or have gone through difficulties. But I
challenge you to look at how much you have persevered to be sitting here today
and look at what you have to look forward to. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, it states, “For
Christ‘s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.“ All of us have a story, and
each story is different and unique.
Ultimately, God designed us to be doers; do the hard things, do enjoy what
you have accomplished, and do look forward to what you have ahead of you.
Looking around, many of you have exciting plans for the future. Some of you
might be going to college or technical school, some of you might be living on your
own for the first time, and some of you might be starting a new job. Regardless of
the plan you are taking, you are going to encounter difficulties. Some might
struggle with living on their own, some might not like the college they have
chosen, and some may find out that they do not like the job they thought they
would love. However, I challenge you to face those difficulties head on. You are
sitting here tonight because you have persevered through the hard things.
Therefore, do not stop in the future when things get hard.
Classmates, each and every one of you have a purpose, and each and every
one of you have the ability to thrive in the next stages of your lives. Gandhi once
said, “Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to
myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really
becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the
beginning.” Congratulations Class of 2022; I can only imagine the great things that
we will do.
Valedictorian – Taylor Dunagan
Good evening, Class of 2022. It is such an honor to be speaking as your
valedictorian. A graduation ceremony is meant to symbolize the closing of a
chapter in one‘s life before another begins. Before we put our years in high school
behind us, let us take a look back at some of the things our teachers and family
have said and done for us. Things we should not forget as we move on in our lives.
So many people in each of our pasts made us who we are today. For
example, I didn‘t go to preschool. During those years, I learned to read and write in
my grandparents‘ basement. Just like I have my grandparents to thank for making
me who I am, each of you have your own unique experiences that have shaped you
as a person. As we say goodbye, look back further than high school and thank
those who put in the work to get you to where you are today.
Not only have others built you, but your own work has shaped you as well.
This hard work over the past four years has earned us a collective reputation. Many
people say that we are known for being one of the best classes that has come
through this building. We get along with each other and are supportive of our
peers. As we say goodbye to high school and move on to college, the workforce, or
the military, let us remember to always be kind and lend a helping hand to others
along the way. As you interact with countless people who will play an influential
role in the next stage in your life, remember to embody the positive reputation that
this community has bestowed upon you. We should all continue to be supportive of
the new people in our lives and show kindness to everyone around us.
As we say goodbye to high school and to each other, this time is not sad. It is
full of joy and opportunity because we will continue to spread our positive
reputation to countless communities around our state and beyond. Congratulations,
Class of 2022!
Photo: Drone photo by Coach Ryan Muench.