Friday 29th March 2024
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Picture-Perfect Graduation For HCHS Class Of 2022

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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.

Senior Dinah Winders ran the TSSAA Sub-state track competition on Friday evening and could not attend graduation. An individual ceremony was held for her Saturday, May 14th, at 9 am in E Atrium.

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.

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 ONeal 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 fortyfive 

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 Williams 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 Hig

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 couldnt 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 dont feel like my hard work 

is more important than everyone elses. 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. Its been pretty easy so far. Most 

everybodys 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

know is that even if we have made up our mind, its still scary. But that fear is

good thing; its 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 

whats 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

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 

Christs 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

chapter in ones 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 didnt go to preschool. During those years, I learned to read and write in 

my grandparentsbasement. 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.

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